CMS Master Sommelier case studies

CMS Master Sommelier · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination is the final level of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A) four-level sommelier education program, which "begins with the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination and ends with the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination." Those who pass earn "the distinguished title of Master Sommelier" - a credential aimed at working sommeliers, beverage directors, and hospitality professionals who already hold Advanced Sommelier standing and want the profession's top recognition. Candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery across three practical domains: deductive wine tasting (identifying grape, origin, vintage, and quality through structured reasoning), beverage theory and knowledge (wine regions, spirits, beer, sake, cocktails, and service law), and practical restaurant service (table-side performance, beverage pairing, and guest interaction under observation). The CMS Master Sommelier case studies are 5 cases and about 2,189 words.

Four Blind Whites and a Suspect Bottle

At a blind-tasting workshop, four 2020 white wines are poured into identical ISO glasses at 12°C. All are dry, still, and from the same vintage but four different countries.

504 words, about 3 min 2

Red Flight, Volatile Acidity, and a Guest Who Says Corked

A sommelier leads a blind red-flight seminar for staff. Four wines are served at 18°C in Bordeaux glasses.

436 words, about 2 min 3

Premature Oxidation Audit in a White Burgundy Program

A 120-seat restaurant has a 40-bottle white Burgundy section. The list includes 30 bottles of a single producer's 2014–2017 Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, all sealed with natural cork.

406 words, about 2 min 4

Sake by the Glass: Oxidation and the Incoming Nama

A 60-seat izakaya runs a by-the-glass sake program with three open 720 ml bottles: a junmai daiginjo (polishing ratio 35%), a junmai (60%), and a honjozo (65%). They are stored in a glass-door wine fridge at 8°C next to a window and have been open for 12 days.

388 words, about 2 min 5

Private Dinner with Dietary Constraints and an Older Champagne Magnum

A private dining room seats 14 for a seven-course tasting menu. The menu includes oysters, foie gras, venison, and aged Comté.

455 words, about 2 min