Sommelier Exam

I am way, way behind in my posting.  I have pictures from the conference and some other things to write about but have had little time lately as I have been spending all of it studying.  Most of you know that I have been working at a wine store but not many of you know that I am also preparing to take my level 1 Sommelier test through the Court of Master Sommeliers.  

When I started working at the wine store last fall I was already a lover of wine- or so I thought.   The week after the store opened a woman (Barbara) came in to talk to my boss.  She said she was a sommelier and I barely knew what that was.  I got to talk to her while she was waiting for my boss and she told me about a sommelier study group and asked if I was interested.  She talked about the cost of the class which seemed out of reach for me at the time so I just kind of went on with my work without much thought of it.  But shortly thereafter wine took hold of me.  I suddenly had an insatiable appetite to learn more about wine- through academics and experience. I also realized how much I loved talking to people about wine in the store.  So I contacted this woman sommelier not even sure she would remember me.  Well she did and was still interested in a study group.  She came down to my work and brought me some study materials from the Court.  She was so excited, helpful and kind.  She told me that the level one sommelier test was coming to Minneapolis in April and that she would help me get ready to take it.  I was doubtful that I could be ready that quickly but she assured me I could.  

We began meeting on a weekly basis, studying a different wine region each week.  We were soon joined by another woman (Ruth) who was also preparing to take the level one exam.  The three of us have been studying together weekly and going to wine trade shows for the last couple of months.  Next week Ruth and I will take our level one exam and Barbara will take her level 2 exam.  Ruth and I are fortunate enough to get two days of lectures from Master Sommeliers before we take our written exam Tuesday afternoon.  Barbara's level 2 exam is MUCH more difficult and she does not have any class time before.  She has to take a written test with essays, pass a number of blind tastings where she will have to taste unknown wine, accurately describe it, tell what the varietal is, what country it is from, and the vintage. She also has a practical portion of the test where she has to sell wine to a table of Master Sommeliers, matching it to their food, and then serving it correctly.  It may be still wine or sparkling or it may be an aged wine that needs decanting with a candle.  The way in which wine is served by a sommelier is very particular to say the least.  Assuming I make it through the level 1 sommelier next week, I intend to continue my studies and pursue level 2 which would make me a Certified Sommelier and open up many more employment opportunities. 

This week I received instructions about my course and exam which includes the names of the three Master Sommeliers who will be teaching the course.  There are l86 Master Sommeliers in the world, 118 are in North America, 17 of them are woman.  Tucson is home to one Master Sommelier.  She is a female and she works at Dove Mountain Grill, Vintabla.  Her name is Laura Williamson.   As it turns out she is one of the three Master Sommeliers teaching my class next week!  So cool, Lord!!

I am quite nervous about the test and have been studying tons in hopes of passing it the first time.  I have been learning so much about wine and am indebted greatly to Barbara and Ruth who have taught me so much.  We plan to continue our study group after the test next week but first we will meet to have a dinner party full of delicious foods matched with delicious wines to celebrate the passing of our exams, Lord willing!