Court of Master Sommeliers marks 2,000 certificates across Asia
The Court of Master Sommeliers has announced it is celebrating the 2,000th certificate awarded to a student in Asia.
The Court of Master Sommeliers, established by Bryan Julyan in 1977, has now awarded 2,000 certificates to students in Asian countries, the organisation announced in June.
Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO of the Court of Master Sommeliers, said the organisation launched its courses in Asia more than 19 years ago, beginning with Hong Kong and Singapore. The educator has grown to provide training in India, Vietnam, Malaysia and across mainland China.
Knowledge, skills and language relating to wine, as well as the availability of many wines, was “quite basic” in Asia when the Court of Master Sommeliers first launched in these markets, Sayburn said.
However, “with the hardworking study ethic found in these countries, the skill-set has risen at an incredible rate and is easily on a par with the traditional European home of the sommelier,” he said.
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“For the small part we have played in this rise, we are very proud. Many Asian students are now studying for the MS title itself and we anticipate a number of successful passes over the next few years.”
To celebrate the 2,000-certificate milestone the Court of Master Sommeliers has organised a tasting and dinner at Shanghai’s Okura Garden Hotel in July.
The walk around tasting will feature wines from top Asian wineries and will be followed by a dinner with wines selected and presented by top sommeliers. Founder and current President Bryan Julyan MS will give the welcoming speech and guests will include around 150 previous CMS students, together with dignitaries from the wine and hospitality industry in China.
The Court of Master Sommeliers is currently present in 18 countries and across 26 cities worldwide. Its courses include an Introductory Sommelier Certificate, a Certified Sommelier Certificate, an Advanced Sommelier Certificate and the Master Sommelier Diploma. The first Master Sommelier exam was held in London in 1969. To date, 282 candidates have passed the exam.
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