"MasterSommelier" news and stories

Southern wine. Photo: Amy C. Evans, flickr

Even in Louisville, Ky., a betting town where success is measured in wins, places and shows, few gamblers would have bet that master sommelier study partners Brett Davis and Scott Harper would pass their diploma exam on the same day.

The local boys defied the odds by becoming the only two test-takers out of 38 to pass the prestigious test last month, making them the first master sommeliers in the state of Kentucky. Harper's workplace, the Bristol Bar and Grille, will fete their achievement at a wine dinner next week.

With fewer than 200 wine professionals worldwide having earned the master sommelier title since it was established 30 years ago, two friends holding matching diplomas counts as a curiosity. Earning those diplomas at the same time is considered extraordinary.

"It's very unusual, very rare," confirms Davis, who's in the wine import business.

The Court of Master Sommeliers is running a series of introductory courses across the US this year. Those who are considering entering the wine world as a profession or those who feel a need to expand their wine knowledge should consider joining - the breadth of the courses has been quite highly praised. It is the first step in becoming a Master Sommelier.

Mr. Doug Frost, one of the key organizers, and only one of three people in the world to hold both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine titles, says, "Anyone in love with wine is capable of having a great time and learning loads at the Introductory Master Sommelier program ".

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