Successful sommeliers design, develop and execute customized wine programs for a variety of establishments. They ensure the positive development of customer, staff and business relationships that support and promote responsible operational success. Professional sommeliers are well-versed in food and wine pairing and have an in-depth knowledge of other beverages and how they relate to food. This certificate is advanced professional development for those aspiring to be sommeliers and is offered in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS). Once you have completed the requirements, you will receive sommelier certification from CAPS and a joint certificate from CAPS and George Brown College. For more information, including the dates for the next challenge exam and certificate start date, contact the Continuing Education Hospitality & Culinary Arts department at 416-415-5000, ext. 2517, or cehospitality@georgebrown.ca. You are also invited to attend an information session.

You must be able to commit the time necessary to complete the course modules, a stage experience and 15 hours per week of self-study.

September

You must secure formal admission before you can register for courses. Obtaining admission is dependent upon meeting these admission requirements.

• You must be familiar with the basic principles of grape growing and wine making, the major grape varietals, major appellations and current food and wine trends and issues.
• You must have completed HOST 9008 (Wines I) and HOST 9009 (Wines II) or you must pass a theoretical and practical entrance exam that includes blind tasting or you must provide a record of your grades from any approved wine programs you have completed at other recognized institutions (contact the department co-ordinator for details).

You must complete the application form and submit it to the department co-ordinator. Applications for the 2013-2014 academic year must be submitted by July 8, 2013. We will determine if you can register in the first course directly or if you must take an entrance exam. For more information on the admission requirements, admission process and application deadlines, contact the department co-ordinator.

The modules are offered in the order shown below; the first two introduce skills and concepts fundamental to the later modules. You must also complete a stage experience in order to complete this certificate. You can expect to complete the certificate in just over a year.

Compulsory Courses (Six)
HOST 9111   Methods of Wine Production
HOST 9112   Sensory Development and Wine Styles
HOST 9113   Wine Regions of the World – Old World
HOST 9114   Wine Regions of the World – New World
HOST 9115   Spirits and Other Beverages
HOST 9116   Sommelier Management