Two Palates, One Passion—Uncorking Wisdom, One Article at a Time!

SOMM&SOMM

Category: Sommelier Studies

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: We’re Back! Again.

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: We’re Back! Again.

    After several months of hiatus (not really), we are back on-track to participate in the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination. It has been nearly one year since this journey began. Over the past six months, we have experienced three reschedules and several shifts in direction by The Court of Master Sommeliers brought on by the challenges of the pandemic. They have done an amazing job in proactively communicating with the CMS community, and adjusting the programs to accommodate safely and social-distancing guidelines.

    As promised, The Court of Master Sommeliers developed an on-line solution for the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination. Individuals who previously enrolled in one of the canceled live courses have the opportunity to transfer their registration to the online learning courses. The CMS team has even worked out details surrounding the Deductive Tasting Methodology exercises in the course. For each registration, Master the World wines will provide a wine kit specific to the program.

    We are looking forward to being part of the initial launch, and continuing our goals through the new online learning environment. We’ll miss the face-to-face experience and live interaction in the classroom, but I believe this approach will still lead us to the desired outcome–completion of the first step of our journey. This means, of course, passing the exam 😉

    The Court of Master Sommeliers has partnered with ProctorU for administering the exams. There is an extensive list of technology, connectivity and workspace environment that must be followed during the proctored exam. And rightly so. Our online courses will begin on May 3, and the exams are scheduled in August. Looks like another few months of heads down in the books, and we will finally celebrate!

    Feeling re-energized!

    Next article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: World Class Classes

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: Holding Pattern

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: Holding Pattern

    Who knew that our sprint to sommelier-hood would eventually become a marathon filled with rescheduled classes, delayed exams and overall uncertainty. We are now just over ten months deep into the curriculum for the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination without an end in sight. Due to unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our scheduled course and examination has been postponed–indefinitely.

    The Court of Master Sommeliers has been completely transparent in communicating changes to their programs and plans to adopt safety protocols once the in-person courses resume. As of now (mid-March 2021), all brick-and-mortar courses have been postponed through the end of June 2021. This gauntlet of challenges has inspired CMS to develop and launch a suite of online courses. The first is slated for release in April 2021.

    Given the complexity of the Certified Sommelier Examination and Advanced Sommelier Course & Examination, I would imagine that only the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination will be available online. Some of the self-paced training videos have been posted on the The Court of Master Sommeliers website.

    I am a fan of online learning, and I’m anxious to see how CMS curriculum developers handle teaching the Deductive Tasting Method in an online environment. Regardless, we are ready to resume our quest. Meanwhile… keep studying 😉

    Might need a new corkscrew before it’s over!

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

    Next article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: We’re Back! Again.

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: Parallel Studies

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: Parallel Studies

    Our quest to join the ranks of sommelier-hood has certainly been riddled with challenges. We became serious with our studies in the early summer of 2020. As you probably know–because you were also affected by the pandemic–most public events were either scaled back, made virtual, or cancelled. The Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination was no exception. At first, it was rescheduled to a later date. Then cancelled. We are in a holding pattern while we wait for the in-person courses to resume (or go virtual).

    Meanwhile… to keep the momentum, we’ve toyed with the idea of parallel studies. And, why not? After multiple passes through the study materials prescribed by The Court of Master Sommeliers, information is beginning to stick. So, why not study curriculum from another reputable wine education and professional advancement organization–such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)? Is too much knowledge really a concern? I don’t think so 😉

    At first glance it looks as if the knowledge and skills required to pass each level of The Court of Master Sommeliers tests and certifications are not aligned with WSET levels. The biggest difference is with the service-centric aspects of the highly regarded Court of Master Sommeliers program. Specifically, it is imperative to understand (and be able to perform) the proper techniques for serving wine. This includes the ritualistic approach to decanting, as well as the formal serving of Champagne (to name a few). The WSET programs do not focus on service, but instead allows students the opportunity to specialize in a specific area.

    It’s about to get intense 😉

    Next article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Holding Pattern

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: A Glimmer of Hope

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: A Glimmer of Hope

    The pandemic has certainly created additional challenges no one could have predicted. We are wrapping up our eighth month of study and preparation for the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination., with no scheduled testing date(s). The Education and Examination Committees are working diligently to keep everyone informed of new program changes and schedules. In the most recent communication, there was mention of an online classroom and testing option being developed. This news provides the much needed glimmer of hope to help us stay focused on achieving our goals.

    We first started our journey to #sommlife with much enthusiasm, no idea what to expect, and excited to participate in the program(s) developed by The Court of Master Sommeliers. There are a few articles and blogs from individuals who have participated in the various programs, but most information simply describes the overall experience. The details surrounding each program is a well-kept secret–and rightly so. Not knowing exactly what’s ahead makes it even more important to study all of the materials in depth. At this point, we have made multiple passes through the Introductory Sommelier Course 2019 Workbook by the Court of Master Sommeliers. There is always something that becomes more clear every time it is read and discussed.

    Given the challenges of 2020-2021, we are very happy with the responsiveness transparency of The Court of Master Sommeliers. Can’t wait to put this first challenge behind us and continue our journey.

    Back to the books 😉

    Next article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Parallel Studies

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: Aroma Training

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: Aroma Training

    Our sense of smell is probably one of the most important tools for studying, analyzing, and ultimately enjoying wine. The Court of Master Sommeliers teaches the importance of smell as part of their Deductive Tasting methodology. Throughout the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination journey, we have been inundated with wine-centric terminology. This includes a plethora of words used to describe the color, smell, taste, and other characteristics of wine. Terminology used to describe the color and density of wine seems less obscure and subjective than describing aroma. Why is that?

    We each have a lifetime of references to color. Aromas are different. Aromas can be difficult. One issue that I have noticed is the varying differences of an aromatic characteristic across wines with different alcohol levels. In other words, the black cherry aroma in a Primitivo will not smell the same as in an Amarone. Your brain along with your entire olfactory system needs to be calibrated to isolate these pure scents from the alcohol–and of course, the other scents. How do you do that?

    With an unlimited supply of wine, you could taste and hopefully remember every varietal and vintage. For the rest of us, I recommend investing in a wine aroma kit. Thanks to a very thoughtful Santa, I am in possession of the Wine Aroma Kit from the Aroma Academy. I can’t speak to the quality and accuracy of other aroma kits, but this one has far exceeded my expectations. The idea is to coat the special paper strips with the various scents and start a regiment of smell-and-remember. This is something that takes time. Your goal is to become familiar with the individual aromas that are present in wine. [warning: music reference ahead] Your nose is an important instrument, and this is the process of keeping your instrument calibrated and in tune 😉

    Sniff, sniff hooray!

    Next article in the series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: A Glimmer of Hope

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: No End in Sight

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: No End in Sight

    The words of our friends and family are still fresh in our minds. “You should take your love and passion for wine to the next level” one friend suggested at a wine pairing dinner. Another commented, “Yea… you guys really sweat the details and try to understand everything about these wines.” And so we thought… yea, why not. No one could have predicted the extraordinary circumstances that has made this particular journey so unusual. In a year without a pandemic we would have studied for months, attended the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination as so many others have done. The Court of Master Sommeliers has done an incredible job communicating the ever-changing schedule of their wine education and certification events. Their positive outlook in the most recent announcement, however, doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

    Here we are in month eight (8) of our journey from “enthusiast to sommelier.” There is currently no end in sight. We’ve just received notice of our second cancellation. Unlike the previous cancellation, none of the events have been rescheduled. This means that we do not have a date for our Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination. I completely understand the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and appreciate (and respect) the guidelines necessary to keep everyone healthy and safe. All we can do at this point is to continue reading, re-reading, learning, quizzing and discussing all of the information anticipated for the first-level course and exam.

    More to come!

    Next article in the series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Aroma Training

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: ‘Tis the Season

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: ‘Tis the Season

    The Holidays are a time for giving. It is also the season for appreciating family, friends, and of course… wine. The holidays seem to bring people closer together–albeit a challenge during this pandemic–to reflect on all the events of the year. We celebrate some new beginnings, and remember those important traditions we’ve adopted along the way. The Holiday Season is an all-encompassing rollercoaster of emotion. While no two holidays are alike, we are all striving for a season of celebration reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting.

    We host a few and also attend several holiday-themed events during Holiday Season. Wine and wine knowledge is always shared at these events. There is never a shortage of spirited conversation and debate about varietals, vintage and proper pairing. For us… these conversations are equally as important as the formal book training for the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination. It also provides the perfect opportunity to take the new wine knowledge out for a spin 😉

    The two-day Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination, hosted by The Court of Master Sommeliers, recommends advance study of the ‘official’ workbook as well as other prescribed reading material. These materials include:  

    Introductory Sommelier Course 2019 Workbook by the Court of Master Sommeliers

    The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil

    Windows of the World– Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly

    I’ve had discussions with individuals who have taken this first course, and they all agree with the recommendation of knowing the material inside and out before attending the two-day course. Others have reinforced the importance of having an active wine-centric dialog as often as possible. Talking (and listening) in detail about what makes Amarone della Valpolicella so special, for example, provides the opportunity to work on your memory recall while also learning something new. Remember… experience goes far beyond textbooks. And, speaking of textbooks…

    Time to study. February will be here before we know it!

    Next article in the series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: No End in Sight

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: Study Fatigue

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: Study Fatigue

    With the unexpected rescheduling of our Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination event hosted by The Court of Master Sommeliers, we are finding ourselves spending less time in the books and other study materials. And while it is nice to take a break (along with a few deep breaths), it is becoming more and more difficult to stay focused. One thing I’ve noticed, however, is how easily the information we’ve acquired over the past five (5) months is retrieved. Even the most obscure information seems to be available on-demand 😉

    Perhaps it’s because our brains aren’t busy calculating all the ways we could fail. With the new test date moved back four (4) months, we can slowly ingest and mentally absorb the information as opposed to cramming for a final exam. It doesn’t mean that the curriculum is any less difficult. It does prove how pressure and stress can affect learning. Removing pressure, as in this case, relieved our learning and cognition related stress… but also introduced a new challenge. Study fatigue.

    To put it into perspective… imagine running a short sprint that suddenly becomes a marathon. As a result, the finish line (achievable at your current pace) has moved very far away. Would you have the stamina to keep pace and cross the new finish line? Perhaps. Given the fact that you didn’t train for a marathon… would you question your ability? Definitely. So what’s the solution? Since everyone’s approach to learning is different, there isn’t a single remedy for all. For us… we’ve temporarily slowed the pace and intensity of our studying.

    The trick is to not lose focus on the end result or goals, but to become more immersed in the journey. Instead of memorizing all of the necessary facts about viticulture, vinification, the art (and science) of food and wine pairing, and the seamlessly infinite wine regions of the world, dive into the details. Question why oak is used in barriques or how some white grapes along with certain winemaking techniques can produce very dark wines–such as Pedro Ximenez Sherry.

    Above all… stay focused!

    Next article in the series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: ‘Tis the Season

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: Pandemic Impact

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: Pandemic Impact

    As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the world, it was simply a matter of time before it impacted our quest for sommelier-hood. The format and schedule of the Introductory Sommelier Course & Examination and other events hosted by The Court of Master Sommeliers have been at risk since the beginning of the pandemic. Recently, we were notified of changes to the scheduled events necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. Our much anticipated course and examination was rescheduled for mid-February 2021.

    I know the decisions made by The Court of Master Sommeliers are well thought out and in everyone’s best interest. They did an amazing job keeping us informed of format changes to the course, and eventually decided to reschedule the event. That being said, our study habits have shifted into a lower gear. With an additional four (4) months to prepare, it is tempting to set the books aside and relax for a while. At the same time, however, we run the risk of losing all of this great momentum gained over the past three (3) months.

    The news of rescheduling our course and exam brought contradicting emotions of relief and frustration. A sigh of relief was unavoidable as the fear of not enough preparation was lifted. Frustration was also apparent as the anticipation for this event was suddenly thwarted. Emotions aside… this was absolutely the right call, and we will continue pursuing our goals. This gives us time to expand into the Sommelier Level 2 curriculum 😉

    Back to the books!

    Next article in the series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Study Fatigue

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started

  • Enthusiast to Sommelier: Take a Pass

    Enthusiast to Sommelier: Take a Pass

    Don’t be fooled by the title of this blog post. While it has crossed our minds on more than one occasion to drop out of the wine knowledge race, we are staying the course. With only three short weeks remaining, it would be easy to succumb to the pressure and throw in the serviette. Instead, we are ‘taking a pass’ (several passes actually) through the various learning materials. Every pass through the materials reveals another piece of information crucial to our success.

    Part of our due diligence includes reading stories and first-hand experiences of others who have made the journey. And while there are a number of similarities in everyone’s account of the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Course & Examination, no one (at the time of this blog post) has written about his or her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. We get a pretty good picture of the format and flow of the 2-day course, but really have no idea what to expect in the classroom.

    The challenge of learning new things coupled with the anticipation of the final exam could be just enough to justify ‘taking a pass.’ With three weeks remaining, however, it seems we’ve come too far to give up. Still much to learn, and revisiting the same information just makes sense. I don’t think you can over prepare. Even if the information you learn is more advanced than the curriculum covered in the level 1 courses, it will definitely be required for the Certified Sommelier Examination. So… go ahead and ‘take a pass.’

    Back to the books 😉

    Note: The image (above) shows me ‘taking a pass’ through The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil.

    Next article in the series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Pandemic Impact

    First article in this series: Enthusiast to Sommelier: Getting Started