Zach Blair has moved one step closer to becoming a certified Master Sommelier. Zach has worked part time in the tasting room for about three years while working full time in the high end restaurant service industry. He has worked locally for the Wine Cask, Louie’s, and Ruth’s Chris. Most recently, he is working at Pierre Lafond Bistro helping to revamp and manage their new wine list and menu.
This past weekend the Court of Master Sommeliers held the second of four stages to attain the title Master Sommelier, the Certified Sommelier Exam. Zach earned the right to take this test by passing the first Introductory Sommelier Course last year, a two
day intensive filled with instruction and a written exam. The most recent challenge was a one day exam with three portions: blind tasting, written exam, and service exam. At the end of the day Zach was among the select participants to receive certification by the American Court of Master Sommeliers. He has only two more very difficult and time consuming steps to become a Master Sommelier.
So what does this mean? The Court of Master Sommeliers was established to encouraged improved standards of beverage service and evaluate knowledge for hotels and restaurants. The first exam was held in the United Kingdom in 1969, while the American Chapter was established in 1977. Only 96 professionals hold the title Master Sommelier in the American chapter: 81 men and 15 women. The lengthy process takes the most committed, skillful and knowledgable professionals through rigorous testing that ranges from basic knowledge of viticulture practice to blind tasting evaluation skills. It is the only internationally recognized certification that a wine and service professional can attain.
For those who are interested in getting a sense of the extensive knowledge that Certified Master Sommeliers must possess, go check out The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia and scan through each section. Most likely, any Master Sommelier will be able to answer almost any question out of there if you just opened it, pointed to a sentence and asked them about it. If they don’t, at least they will have the ability to skillfully deflect and talk for an hour about a related area of interest.
Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery
Well written Joanie.
Keep up the good work.
I was just wondering how he was doing.
Thank you, Joanie, for explaining what Zach has gone through to reach this stage as well as outlining what he will be facing next. As part of his family, we are incredibly proud of how his hard work and patience has paid off and we look forward to celebrating the day that he will be certified as a Master Sommelier! We may live in Georgia but part of our heart is in California! Congratulations to our nephew, Zach Blair!