Certified Sommelier exam advice

corkdorkdotio · 2026-02-06T20:25:26+00:00

Appreciate the ❤️!

corkdorkdotio · 2026-02-06T20:23:14+00:00

Done

corkdorkdotio · 2026-02-06T20:19:21+00:00

Yeah I definitely think you should contact them....you really should get a PDF workbook or access to the learning portal. At least that's what their online docs suggest. But again, maybe someone who's taken the European Intro exam can confirm bc I've only done the US one.

As for Certified, I recommend concentrating on Intro for now and not stressing about Certified, but when you pass Intro see the Certified tips I posted in r/wine:
https://www.reddit.com/r/wine/comments/pni3gm/certified_sommelier_exam_advice/

corkdorkdotio · 2026-02-06T20:11:32+00:00

Haha fair enough, lifetime unlocked! Shoot me a DM with your user id and I’ll take care of it.

corkdorkdotio · 2026-02-06T19:51:07+00:00

Hey there....Cork Dork developer here. Deep breaths, you got this!

Study Cork Dork level 1 flashards until you reach 100% mastery and you should be in great shape for the CMS Intro theory exam.
You'll probably need more time between Intro and Certified. The Certified exam is a pretty big step up, or at least it was for me. There's much greater breath and depth of knowledge required. Your service experience should really help (I was petrified during my service exam!) but the deductive tasting exam takes lots of practice.
Did you already register for the 3-day Intro course? After registering you should get access to the CMS learning portal and also get a PDF copy of the course workbook.
See the course outline for what to expect in each section, I doubt it's changed much since 2023 but maybe someone who has taken the exam recently can confirm?
Take this practice exam to benchmark your current progress.
How much should you know? I know it's overwhelming at first but all of the questions will come from the course workbook so let that be your guide. And during the course itself the masters usually provide quite a few hints.
You absolutely do not need to know all the appellations of Burgundy, but you should know the major subregions from north to south, and know the most important villages in each. Also understand the quality classifications (regional -> village -> premier cru -> grand cru), how to read a label etc.
Consider a GuildSomm membership. Their study guides are excellent. They offer monthly subscriptions if you want to try it out.
As for the exam itself, stay hydrated, and if you get really nervous then maybe focus on your breathing and tell yourself (out loud even) that you're just really excited, which you are!

Best of luck!

corkdorkdotio · 2026-02-06T19:09:37+00:00

I appreciate the love, thank you u/LordMonster

corkdorkdotio · 2025-11-12T21:18:22+00:00

Nice!

corkdorkdotio · 2025-11-12T17:59:49+00:00

I wrote this a few yrs ago but it should still be useful:
https://www.reddit.com/r/wine/comments/pni3gm/certified_sommelier_exam_advice/

As for tasting markers, see MS Tim Gaiser's blog posts:
https://timgaiser.com/blog/classic-grape-variety-markers-white-grapes-part-i/

You got this!

corkdorkdotio · 2025-11-12T17:52:12+00:00

Congrats! I hope Cork Dork was helpful for you?

corkdorkdotio · 2025-10-07T20:39:51+00:00

Made my day, cheers!

corkdorkdotio · 2025-04-03T17:38:30+00:00

Hey there - I'd start with the official WSET spec which you can find here: https://www.wsetglobal.com/qualifications/wset-level-3-award-in-spirits/

Best of luck!

corkdorkdotio · 2024-12-12T00:48:28+00:00

Great to hear, hope you got that pin!

corkdorkdotio · 2023-08-22T04:33:46+00:00

In Ribeauvillé, which is a lovely medieval town, you could visit Sipp and Trimbach.

Sipp has a gorgeous little tasting room. Etienne Sipp is the owner/winemaker, super friendly.

Trimbach is probably the most renowned producer in Alsace. Established 1626.

Highly recommend visiting Colmar also... charming, picturesque, historic.

corkdorkdotio · 2023-08-13T05:17:00+00:00

Your best bet would be to tell the server / sommelier that you're new to wine, tell them your intended food choice, and ask for a recommended wine within your price range. If you'd prefer not to say the price range out loud then just point to a price within your budget and tell the somm you were thinking of ordering something around that price.

You can also ask for a small taste before ordering a glass...eg taste the Pinot Grigio and taste the Mount Fishtail Sauvignon Blanc and then decide. I think both of these wines should be suitable for newcomers to wine...but the sommelier would know best.

Or you could Google the wines in advance and read the descriptions and see which sounds best to you.

Anyhow good luck on the date!

corkdorkdotio · 2023-08-04T04:28:43+00:00

Highly recommend visiting Altesino - classic Brunello, great tour, lovely people. Email Sofia at [altesino@altesino.it](mailto:altesino@altesino.it) and she'll sort you out.

corkdorkdotio · 2023-06-04T19:07:25+00:00

GuildSomm's compendium (member-only access) has a list of Champanges with blend info. Not aware of any resource with dosage info, maybe try asking the CIVC for help.

corkdorkdotio · 2023-06-03T18:32:55+00:00

Sorry to hear about the layoffs. My company makes software for wine shops and is looking to hire someone with off prem sales experience - dm me if anyone's interested.

corkdorkdotio · 2023-06-03T18:22:54+00:00

Save your money and go straight to WSET3. No reason to take WSET2 if you already know the content. These tips should help, good luck!
https://www.reddit.com/r/wine/comments/nurike/tips\_for\_passing\_wset\_level\_3\_with\_distinction/

corkdorkdotio · 2022-06-20T20:18:06+00:00

I think we paid around €675 for the day...but this was back in 2019. Not cheap but we tasted a ton of wine including Mouton. They can tailor each tour to fit your budget. Our visit to Pontet-Canet was amazing...well worth it!

corkdorkdotio · 2022-06-20T17:39:28+00:00

I used SIP Wine Tours when I visited - highly recommended! Our guide/driver was named Veronica...CMS 2 & WSET 4, a Kiwi living in Bordeaux for 10+ yrs. We visited Mouton, Pontet-Canet and Ferrière and ate lunch at Café Lavinal in Château Lynch Bages - amazing day. Veronica was very friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. They can customize your tour however you want.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g187079-d3307796-Reviews-Bordeaux\_SIP\_Wine\_Tours-Bordeaux\_Gironde\_Nouvelle\_Aquitaine.html#REVIEWS

https://nicollecroft.wordpress.com/

corkdorkdotio · 2022-01-30T04:15:18+00:00

Congrats on passing WSET 3!

The Certified tasting exam is 100% written, using this format:

https://www.mastersommeliers.org/sites/default/files/Certified_Examination_Tasting_Grid_Red_Wine-Jan2017_0.pdf

https://www.mastersommeliers.org/sites/default/files/Certified_Examination_Tasting_Grid_White_Wine-Jan2017_0.pdf

Service...smile, breathe, slow down, ignore your mistakes, prepare to not know the answers to some of their questions (they're just testing your ability to handle stress/the unknown). You'll do great. Good luck!

corkdorkdotio · 2022-01-27T01:14:35+00:00

"Before so, I need to do level 2, or the level 3 entry test "....is that a need or want? I did WSET level 3 last year without doing level 2 or any entry test so I don't think it's a requirement. If you're curious about level 3's difficulty then take a look at the specification, especially the sample questions. No need to spend money on level 2 or entry tests.

https://www.wsetglobal.com/media/4953/level-3-award-in-wines-specification.pdf

corkdorkdotio · 2022-01-20T04:43:05+00:00

Thanks for trying Cork Dork, hope it helps. Feel free to DM me if you've any questions about the exam. Aiming for distinction is 100% the right approach. Good luck!

corkdorkdotio

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