Course In person

Court of Master Sommeliers — Introductory Course

The entry point to the Court of Master Sommeliers qualification ladder. This introductory sommelier course covers wine, spirits, beer and table-side service over two days, with an examination on Day 2. If you are wondering how to become a sommelier, the CMS Introductory Certificate is one of the most respected starting points in the industry. Visit Guild of Sommeliers for additional study resources, and explore independent wine commentary from Jancis Robinson and Wine Spectator.

Course structure

Day 1

Wine regions, grape varieties, still wine styles, sparkling wine (production methods, regions, sweetness terminology), wine service fundamentals.

Day 2

Fortified wines (Port, Sherry, Madeira, Marsala), spirits and distillation, beer and brewing, table-side service skills. Written and tasting examination on afternoon of Day 2.

Who the course is for

The CMS Introductory Course is designed for working hospitality professionals — sommeliers, floor staff, hotel beverage managers, bar managers — and for anyone with a serious interest in wine service. No prior qualification is required, but candidates who have read widely about wine will find the pace more manageable. Reviewing the main grape varieties and the winemaking methods guide before attending is strongly recommended.

The examination

The examination on the afternoon of Day 2 consists of a written theory paper and a practical tasting component. The tasting element uses a structured approach — similar to the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting — to assess two wines. A pass results in the CMS Introductory Certificate. Candidates who do not pass on the day may resit through the Court. Passing the Introductory level opens the path to the CMS Certified Sommelier examination, which is more rigorous and includes a blind tasting and practical service component.

For those comparing qualification routes: the WSET Level 2 course (running in November) offers a complementary knowledge-focused alternative; many professionals hold both. The CMS qualification is particularly valued in fine dining and luxury hospitality. The Institute of Masters of Wine is the separate route for those pursuing the highest academic wine qualification.

Course details: Court of Master Sommeliers — Europe. Booking: courtofmastersommeliers.org. Prices and dates subject to change.

Prepare for the course

05 · Taste — Guide How to taste wine 01 · Grape — Guide Main grape varieties Event · Course WSET Level 2 — London Events All wine events

Questions

About the CMS Introductory Course.

What is the Court of Master Sommeliers?
The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is the principal qualification body for sommeliers and wine service professionals worldwide. It was founded in 1977 in the UK and now operates across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. The CMS qualification ladder has four levels: Introductory, Certified, Advanced and Master Sommelier. There are approximately 270 Master Sommeliers globally — the passing rate for the Master exam is typically below 10%.
How does the CMS Introductory Course compare to WSET Level 2?
Both are two-day entry-level wine qualifications, but they have different orientations. WSET Level 2 focuses on wine knowledge (grape varieties, regions, styles) with a structured tasting component. The CMS Introductory Course is broader — it covers wine, spirits, beer and service, making it more relevant for hospitality professionals. WSET is more widely recognised in retail and trade buying roles; CMS is the standard in restaurant and hotel service. Both are respected entry points. The WSET Level 2 London course runs in November if you want to compare both options.
What does "service" mean in the CMS context?
Wine service covers the practical skills of the dining room: presenting a wine list, opening and decanting bottles correctly, pouring technique, temperature management, and guiding guests through wine selection. The CMS Introductory Course includes table-side service practice as a core component — not just knowledge of what wines taste like. This practical orientation distinguishes CMS training from purely academic wine education. For the underlying knowledge base, the How to taste wine guide and the Sparkling sweetness terms guide are directly relevant to the practical exam.
Is the CMS Introductory Certificate widely recognised by employers?
Yes — particularly in fine dining, luxury hotel and private members' club contexts in the UK, Europe and USA. The CMS certificate is often listed as a preferred or required qualification in senior sommelier and head of beverage job specifications at Michelin-starred restaurants. For trade and retail roles, WSET qualifications tend to be more common requirements. For a hospitality career, holding both WSET Level 2 (or higher) and the CMS Introductory Certificate is a strong foundation.
What should I know before attending the CMS Introductory Course?
No prior qualification is required. The course assumes no prior wine knowledge but moves quickly across a broad range of topics in two days. Reviewing key grape varieties before attending will help — the main grape varieties guide covers the seven most important. Familiarise yourself with how to evaluate a wine structurally using the How to taste wine guide. Understanding how sparkling wines are made will help with the service component — see the Red, white, rosé and sparkling methods guide.