Become a Certified Wine or Beer Specialist

It may be back to school time for kids, but you can jump on the knowledge bandwagon as well. Here are three certification programs aimed to transform you into a wine or beer expert. Two beer-centric programs, one in Chicago and the other Toronto, are training people to become ‘beer sommeliers,’ while a college in Washington state has established a four-year path to a wine profession.

The Cicerone Certification Program

This program is run by founder Ray Daniels, a veteran of the U.S. beer industry and president of the Craft Beer Institute. Set up to appeal to a wide variety of beer lovers, the program offers three levels of certification. The first, Certified Beer Server, focuses on serving issues and the basics of beer and styles. The next level is Certified Cicerone, which provides key information for beer professionals and requires a four-hour exam. The highest honor is Master Cicerone. For this, you must have passed the Certified Cicerone exam and have two years' experience selling, serving or managing beer service—and be able to provide professional recommendations. Check out the Master Syllabus at cicerone.org, which outlines the information covered, or take the ten-question sample exam.

Location: Headquartered in Chicago; courses are taken online, while Certified Cicerone exams are given at various locations around the U.S. 

Curriculum: The Beer Server certificate requires passing an online multiple-choice exam. The Certified Cicerone requires passing a four-hour exam that includes a written test, a hands-on demonstration and a 12-beer evaluation of tasting skills. Master Cicerone candidates are examined by a panel of industry experts and must successfully complete essay questions, taste tests and an oral examination, which may include demonstrations.

Website: cicerone.org  

Prud’homme Certification™

Canada’s first beer education program offers three levels of certification. Run by Roger Mittag, a beer expert who has been conducting tasting seminars, beer dinners and educational events since 1997, the Prud’homme program offers an entry-level program for Beer Enthusiasts (beer drinkers or hospitality/beer industry workers looking to enhance their knowledge); Beer Specialists (people working in the beverage alcohol industry who require an extensive knowledge of beer); and Beer Experts, which gives a more detailed, extensive look at beer, and the methods of designing, developing and facilitating beer education programs and events. If you’re looking for a less intense experience, check out the classes at The Beer School—you can sign up for one or more courses or a series of three at thirstforknowledge.ca.  

Location: Toronto, Canada

Curriculum: Held in a classroom setting, with an emphasis on hands-on experience mixed with lectures, as well as a testing component.

Website: thirstforknowledge.ca

Central Washington University's Global Wine Studies

This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in pursuing a career in the wine industry. Run by Amy Mumma, certified wine expert, writer and reviewer, as well as the recipient of the International Professional Wine Woman title from Paris at the International Wine Women Awards, the program focuses on the business side of wine, and prepares graduates for careers in winery and vineyard management, wine merchandising, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, distribution, marketing, import/export, hospitality, entrepreneurship or consulting. There are many levels of participation, including trade and consumer classes, a wine trade professional certificate, a wine trade and tourism minor and a Bachelor of Science degree. For those with less time to devote, there is a DVD series, A Wine Odyssey, in which Mumma presents a series of courses on Old World Wines.

Location: Ellensburg, Washington

Curriculum: The professional certification, which can be completed in one year, covers such topics as viticulture, oenology, world wine regions and wine marketing. The minor takes one to two years and includes those topics plus retailing, management and tourism. The four-year degree is the most expansive, with additional instruction in such areas as wine faults, world cultures, advanced sensory analysis and international wine law.

Website: cwuce.org/wine-education/Degree.asp

—Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

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