What Are the Different Wine Education Certifications?

Why wait for the weekend to toss back a few drinks? You can drink up whenever you want without being worried about alcohol poisoning if you are certified to drink!

Becoming a Master of Wine is a gruelling process which can be achieved only by passing a multitude of tests. It takes more than an interest in getting tipsy to complete the process of achieving a wine education certification. Those interested in wine and spirits look to get a certificate as a proof of their knowledge. Not only can you prove your in-depth knowledge of wine and spirits with the certificate, but you can also even make a career out of it.
There might be many institutions that offer certificates in wine and spirits education; however, there are four recognized bodies of certification. Here is all you need to know about wine education:

Society of Wine Educators

The Society of Wine Educators or SWE focuses on training individuals who are interested in teaching others about wine and spirits. This is ideal for those who are interested in getting a wine education while continuing their education or jobs. The material is designed in a way to allow aspirants to complete it at their own pace. There are no minimum hours that need to be clocked before taking the exams. Once you pass the exam, you can use the credentials to create a career for yourself.

Levels and How to Crack Them:

• Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 35.

• Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS)

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 35.

• Certified Wine Educator (CWE)

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 65.

• Certified Spirits Educator (CSE)

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 65.

To be certified as a Specialist you need to study the material and sit for the examination independently. For the Specialist exam, you will have to sit for a multiple-choice examination. There are no service portions or tasting sections for the Specialist examinations; however, basic theoretical knowledge is required.

You need to pass the Specialist exam to qualify for the Educator certification examination. As an educator, you will have to come up with creative methods of imparting knowledge about wine and spirits. The Educator certificate exam tests the ability of the candidate to teach. Not only do you have to appear for a written examination, but you will also have to prepare a presentation to show your teaching skills. A blind tasting of clean and faulty wines is also a part of the Educator exam.

With the CWE and the CSE, you can embark on a career as an educator.

Court of Master Sommeliers

The Court of Master Sommeliers or CMS allows you to attain the prestigious title of a Master Sommelier. There has been an eternal argument regarding the exact role of a Master Sommelier. While some puritans believe that the role of a Master Sommelier is restricted to a restaurant setting, some argue that a Master Sommelier can extend their service as into sales and distribution of wine and spirits. CMS allows specialization for those seeking a professional career in the restaurant industry.

Levels and How to Crack Them:

• Introductory Sommelier Course

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 40

• Certified Sommelier Course

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 50

• Advanced Sommelier Course

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 75

• Master Sommelier Diploma

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 93

The Introductory level is the basic level which is heavy on theoretical knowledge. To pass the Introductory level, you do not need to go through a tasting. For all the other three levels you have to appear for a blind taste test where you need to try to identify the grape variety, production location, and age. You also need to appear for a service portion where you need to present the wine and pair it. A panel of Master Sommeliers will grill you about the origin, pairing and other details while you serve the wine. To appear for the final Master Sommelier examination, your application will be screened by the Examination Committee composed of Master Sommeliers. If they find your application satisfactory, you can appear for the service and tasting exams.

The Certified, Advanced and Master levels must be completed in three years. If you are unable to complete the classes in three years, you have to take a year off before you can apply for the courses again.

Wine and Spirit Education Trust

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust or WSET targets individuals who want a career in wine and spirits. While CMS focuses on the service industry, the WSET offers a broader career scope. The WSET focuses more on history, theory and practical application. After getting the WSET certificates, individuals opt for careers in winemaking, distribution, import, and retail.

Levels and How to Crack Them:

• Level 1 Award

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 10

• Level 2 Award

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 25

• Level 3 Award

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 50

• Level 4 Diploma

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 85

The WSET classes are designed for novices who do not know wine and spirits. Candidates need to put in predetermined study hours for these courses. You need to appear for the WSET exams in London. For those looking to complete a wine education along with college education, WSET is not the course. You have to ask yourself, “who can do my assignment in Australia while I complete my WSET in London?” Do not engage in the course if you do not have time to dedicate towards it. SWE courses are better suited for those trying to gain wine education along with their college courses.

For the first two levels, the coursework lays a theoretical foundation while tasting is a part of the learning process. In the last two levels tasting is a part of the grading system. The last level has six areas of testing. You will need knowledge of legalities and marketing of the wine business to pass level 4. Essay writing and analysis is given greater importance while service is not included in the WSET coursework.

Institute of the Masters of Wine

The Institute of the Masters of Wine or the MW is a master’s course which one can enrol in after completing all levels of the WSET or the Advanced level in CMS. You need to dedicate a minimum of three years to pass the MW courses. The course focuses more on theory and practical knowledge of wine and spirits. You need to be interested to research wine as the course culminates to a 10,000-word research paper.

Levels and How to Crack Them:

• Stage/Year 1

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 93

• Stage/Year 2

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 98

• Stage/Year 3

The overall difficulty of this course on a scale of 0-100 is 100+

You need to attend residential seminars and critical assessment pieces during the first year. The first-year examination has two theoretical essays and 12 tasting papers. The second-year course is much like the first-year course. For the final examination of the second year, the candidate has to appear for a theoretical exam covering five research papers and a practical exam of 12 tastings. The third-year is focussed more on the candidate’s research paper. Mentors are assigned to help the process of completing the research paper.

In conclusion, there are four recognized schools of wine education that one can choose to complete their courses from. All the different schools specialize in honing different skills. Those looking to become educators can choose to complete their courses at SWE. Those aiming their careers as beverage experts in the restaurant industry can choose the CMS courses. Those who intend on expanding their knowledge of wine and spirits can choose the WSET courses. Other requirements may vary per state where you want to work as a wine server. Moreover, there may be new requirements one should take note of, like the new additions for alcohol serving certifications in California. Finally, those who wish to be an authoritative figure in the wine and spirit industry can choose to enrol for the MW courses. Once you decide on a career path, you can join in the respective classes.

Written by Crystal Roman
Crystal is a food and wine loving school teacher. She has been an elementary school teacher for five years. While she enjoys her job teaching children, she aspires to turn her love for wine into her career. Having completed CSW course, Crystal is currently preparing for her CWE examination. She soon hopes to educate the world in the ways of the wine with her educator’s certificate.