Training to be a sommelier

Question

I would like to join a sommelier training course in the UK. Where can I find out information about this?

Reply

The Court of Master Sommeliers (www.courtofmastersommeliers.org) offers three courses. The first is the Certificate course, which is an introductory level course. The second is the Advanced Certificate, which is a prerequisite for entry to the third course, the Master Sommelier Diploma.

The Advanced Certificate should only be taken by those who have taken the introductory course or a similar qualification, and is very much directed towards those already working as sommeliers or distributors.

These courses take place at set times of the year. For more details, see the Web site.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (www.wset.co.uk) also offers three courses. There is an intermediate course, an advanced course and a diploma course.

The first two courses can be taken in the evening in two-hour sessions or as daytime courses taking up the whole day. The diploma is a daytime course. All courses take place at the trust's London school.

by Sarah Kaikini