Organization continues international expansion in Seoul, South Korea

Napa, California  – The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas today announced that it is accepting applications for the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination to take place in Seoul, South Korea September 5-9, 2016. It is the first time Advanced Sommelier programming will be offered outside of the United States by this chapter of the much-respected Court of Master Sommeliers.  They will be administering the program with their exclusive Korean partner, Winevision, the much-respected wine and spirit educational institution located in Seoul.

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas will be holding its first International Advanced Sommelier programming in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean-born Master Sommelier Yoon Ha and Examination Director Shayn Bjornholm will lead eligible candidates in the preparation and Examination.

“We are very excited to be holding the 2016 Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination in Seoul,” said Andrew McNamara, Chairman of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. “We couldn’t be more pleased that our first international Advanced Sommelier programming will take place in South Korea, which is a burgeoning market for wine service education. We expect this to be first step in us holding similar courses across the globe.”

While South Korea is the first international location where the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas will offer the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination, the organization has held Introductory Sommelier Courses and Certified Sommelier Examinations in numerous countries outside of the United States.

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas will be administering the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination in a 5-day format that combines the current 3-day Advanced Sommelier Course and 3-day Advanced Sommelier Examination. Eligible students are expected to have a high level of preparation in terms of theoretical comprehension, deductive tasting skills and practical restaurant service ability in order to qualify for the program. Students must pass this examination before being considered for invitation to sit the Master Sommelier Diploma examination.

To help the students of the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination in Seoul, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas and Winevision will hold an Advanced Sommelier workshop immediately following the Certified Sommelier Examination taking place on April 22, 2016; it will be led by South Korean-born Master Sommelier Yoon Ha and Examination Director Shayn Bjornholm. Additionally, the two organizations will hold quarterly video-conference Deductive Tasting Method sessions leading up the September program. Winevision has been working with examination candidates from the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination, the Certified Sommelier Examination and now the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination since 2012.

Candidates may apply for the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination in Seoul by visiting the Winevision website at www.winevision.kr. The cost for the course is ₩2850000 ($2,520 USD) and is open to a maximum of 30 candidates. Eligible candidates must wait one calendar year after passing the Certified Sommelier Examination to apply for the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination. Please see the Q&A page on the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas website at www.mastersommeliers.org.

ABOUT THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS, AMERICAS

The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in England in 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. The first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam to be held in the United States was in 1987. The title Master Sommelier marks the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade. Education was then, and remains today, the Court’s charter.

There are four stages involved in attaining the top qualifications of Master Sommelier: 1) Introductory Sommelier Course; 2) Certified Sommelier Exam; 3) Advanced Sommelier Course; and 4) Master Sommelier Diploma. There are 140 professionals who have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter since the organization’s inception. Of those, 119 are men and 21 are women. There are 220 professionals worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. For more information, please visit www.mastersommeliers.org.

ABOUT WINEVISION

Established in 2008, Winevision School has developed into one of the most respected and recognized wine and spirit educational institutions in Korea, producing more than 3000 graduates. It is an approved program provider for WSET and the exclusive Korean partner of Court of Master Sommeliers.  Winevision has published various texts and periodicals about wine and alcoholic beverages and an online magazine called ‘Mashija’. Winevision is the proud host of the Korean Sommelier of the Year competition.