Enrolments are now open for sommeliers in Australia who want to test their skills in one of the most recognised sommelier training programs in the world.
After a successful running of the first program to be run in Australia last year the Court of Master Sommeliers is returning to run another one in September this year.
The UK based Court of Master Sommeliers is recognised as the world’s premier examining body for beverage professionals.
Attending Master Sommeliers who’ll be coming to Australia for the program include CEO Brian Julyan, from the UK, Evan Goldstein from the US, and Cameron Douglas from NZ.
The Court of Master Sommeliers have been conducting their examinations since 1969 in the UK with a chapter formed in the US in 1977.
This year’s candidates have a lot to live up to. At the inaugural year last year the first students sitting the Introductory Level impressed with a 90 per cent pass rate.
National distributor, Fine Wine Partners, which facilitates the Court’s Programs in Australia said there had been more than seventy enquiries already, prior to enrolments opening.
The intensive two day Introductory Certificate and Examinations will be held both in Sydney and Melbourne, with only fifty places at each available to sommeliers throughout Australia.
Although typically there is a requirement for a year’s gap between Levels One and Two, thirty of the top passing students in each city will be offered the chance to take the Certified Exams on the third day.
Sommeliers who attain the title of Certified Sommelier have completed the first steps towards becoming a Master Sommelier: the ultimate accreditation offered by the Court and the only globally recognised professional credential for sommeliers.
Several of last year’s students have been accepted for the Level Three (Advanced Sommelier Exam) of the four level program to become a Master Sommelier; Franck Moreau, Head Sommelier for the Merivale Group will try for this level in the UK in July. Another group will attempt the exam in Las Vegas in October; David Lawler (Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne), Ben Knight, benandwine.com.au, Michael Watt, Astral, and Ben Edwards and Ben Moechtar, joint-presidents of Sommeliers Australia.
Moechtar, the Dux of the 2008 program won the Petaluma Master Sommelier Scholarship which will fund his efforts to attain the Master Sommelier title.
For more information head to www.finewinepartners.com.au
