Education · 1 of 5

The path

There is no degree. There are certifications, and there are years on a restaurant floor.

1. 1

   Get certified to serve alcohol

   1 day

   Smart Serve in Ontario, Serving It Right in British Columbia, ProServe in Alberta. Required by law before you pour anything.

2. 2

   Work as a server

   2 to 3 years

   Two or three years in a restaurant with a real wine list. This is not optional. Service comes before wine knowledge.

3. 3

   Start formal wine study

   1 to 3 years, part time

   The Wine and Spirit Education Trust runs Level 1 through the Level 4 Diploma through course providers in more than 70 countries, including Canadian cities.

4. 4

   Take the sommelier exams

   Years

   The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas runs Introductory, Certified, Advanced and finally the Master Sommelier Diploma. Each level adds blind tasting and live service under exam conditions.

5. 5

   Take the wine list

   5 years and up

   Assistant sommelier, then sommelier, then wine director choosing what the restaurant buys and pours.