In the world of wine, the Court of Master Sommeliers rules the school. There are only 106 Master Sommeliers in North America (171 worldwide) who have passed the four levels of exams needed to gain this prestigious title. And it literally takes years of practice (and many tries, so I hear) to pass the dastardly blind tasting section. Apparently Kathyrn Morgan from Washington DC has the chops and is now the 16th woman to garner the diploma. Girl power!
A little about the Court of Master Sommeliers:
“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.”
