Intro Master Sommelier Class

I took this class in September in San Francisco. It was a lot of fun and very good for deductive tasting of wines. I am thinking about taking the Certified test next year. I would like to hear from anyone as far as comments on this program compared to Society of Wine Educators.

Michael:

Explaining a bias in the first place: I am a member of the SWE, and sit on the Board of Directors and the Education Committee.

The MS is great. The Intro is more of a razzle-dazzlem showtime of the basics presented in a rousing format. And essentially, if you maintain consciousness you'll be able to 'pass the test'. The next levels are much more thorough and much, much more difficult, with the final level an impressive attainment. It's a good program. It is focused primarily on the aspect of the sommelier, the wine steward on the floor, and much of the examination, beyond being about wine, is too show how well you handle the service aspect, and how well you comport yourself (the final exam is before a board of MSs who put you in 'what if' situations and ask you to explaing how you'd react.

The SWE is also (I think) a good program, but from a different perspective. It doesn't focus on the sommelier, but on good, sound wine knowledge and how to teach and educate others on that knowledge. The Online Wine Academy provides you with 24/7 modules in a formal program to educate on the basics and intermediary levels of wine knowledge (viticulture, vinification, wine regions). Then the Certified Specialist of Wine program gives you a comprehensive reference/study guide, and you test out (written, mostly multiple choice type) to get your certification.

The next higher level, the Certified Wine Educator, is at an even higher level, and includes four different testing portions (multiple choice, essay, wine identification, and sensory components).

Another very important part of the SWE is that there is an Annual Conference, usually in wine country (but not always; next year it is culinary themed and will be in New Orleans!), where you can sign up for a staggering array of seminars, tastings and training sessions given by some of the top people in the business. Like, say, a 30 year retrospective tasting of Austrian Gruner Veltliners given by Terry Thiese, or a two day intensive with the Spanish Wine Academy, or a series of Bordeaux intensives sponsored by the CIVB, or a comprenesive seminar on organic and biodynamic viticuluture. In other words, the SWE is only partly about getting professional certification: it's actually more about continuing education in wine. (There are also several member events during the year around the country.

In short, for a general purpose wine certification program, the SWE is excellent. For a restaurant-focused aspect, the MS is excellent. Some people have both (an SWE board member is both a CWE and an MS). And the SWE quite often has MS certified people putting on seminars at our conferences....because they are good, and well educated.

Can't lose either way.

I appreciate all your comments. I am in retail here in Oregon but previously I had spent about 15 years in restaurants. Numerous people who work for local distributors have gone through the CSW program. I was looking for whichever did more on tasting and sensory evaluation. It seemed like there was more in the MS class. The Intro class was much like you mentioned. I can also see that there is lots more to learn.
I am very fortunate to say that I love my job.

Hoke, the Academy is only for professionals, ITB types, right?

"Note: Only members joining at the professional, industry and corporate level gain full access to the academy!"

Regards, Bob

Hoke, the Academy is only for professionals, ITB types, right?

"Note: Only members joining at the professional, industry and corporate level gain full access to the academy!"

Regards, Bob

Bob, the Online Academy is a part of the full membership. However, you can purchase full entry into the Online Academy for a minimal fee if you are not a member. And, no, it is not for full ITB types only. We encourage non-professionals.

I also believe the site allows you to sample a chapter to see how it is constructed---which I believe is nicely done, with prep quizzes for each chapter, brush ups during, and good post tests. Lots of interactive things involved throughout as well to aid memory retention. Plus you can stop at any point, then resume or start all over again; you can also access and complete the chapters in any order you wish.

I convinced my corporation to purchase access for all employees as it provides the only site I know of that is rigorous, academically vetted, non-partisan and, I think moderately fun and entertaining....all on a 24/7365 basis

I want to stress that the Online Wine Academy does NOT give you the CSW certification though. That comes separately and requires sitting for the test---and while it's certainly not impossible to pass firs time without studying, it's difficult and has embarrassed many seasoned wine geeks who thought they would breeze through it; it requires studying the CSW Study Guide before sitting. However, the Online Academy does give you the chance to try an older version of the test (now not used) to see how you might fare on the real thing.

Thanks for clarifying, Hoke. It sure looks like a good course.

Regards, Bob