FIVE-DAY ADVANCED SOMMELIER EXAM
LEAVES JUST ELEVEN STANDING
Prestigious Rudd Scholarship awarded to Bouchon Restaurant
Sommelier Rachael Lowe
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009 Contact: 
Kathleen Lewis, Executive Director
(707) 255-5056
klewis@mastersommeliers.org
 
LAS VEGAS, NV – After endless hours of preparation and five days of intense
lectures and examinations, eleven sommeliers successfully passed the Court of
Master Sommeliers Advanced Exam, administered at the Bellagio Resort and
Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Through the test, these candidates demonstrated
an advanced understanding of wine theory, the beverage service industry, and a
highly sophisticated tasting ability that few in the world possess.  With the
Advanced Exam success under their belt, these individuals are now permitted to
make a run at the highest sommelier designation in the world, that of Master
Sommelier.
 
49 candidates in total sat for the recent exam, one of three Advanced Exams to
be offered by the Court this year.  The Advanced Examination is exponentially
more challenging than the prerequisite Introductory Sommelier and Certified
Sommelier examinations, demonstrated by the 22 percent passing rate for this
elite group. Achieving the level of Advanced Sommelier leaves only one
challenging step before these dedicated wine aficionados can earn the coveted title
of Master Sommelier, which has been achieved by only 168 professionals
worldwide.
 
“We proudly welcome these eleven extraordinary individuals to the ranks of the
Advanced Sommeliers,” said Tim Gaiser, the Education Director for the
American Chapter of the Court.  “I look forward to the enthusiasm and
knowledge these candidates will bring to the Court of Master Sommeliers family
as they continue to pursue the Master designation,” he added. 
 
As the highest scoring candidate, Rachael Lowe of Bouchon Restaurant in
Yountville, California is the recipient of the prestigious Rudd Scholarship.  Lowe
demonstrated mastery in each of the exam’s three evaluation areas, earning a
$5,000 scholarship toward her Master’s coursework and an invitation to attend the 
Rudd Master’s Round Table in Napa Valley, a two-day intensive tutorial about
wine theory, tasting, and service.
 
“Preparing for and undertaking this exam was one of the most inspirational,
motivational, and challenging things I have ever done,” said Lowe.  “I could not
have succeeded without the positive support of all the Masters that helped move
me towards this ultimate goal, my tasting group in Napa, and everyone involved
collectively the week of and the months leading up to the exam. I look forward to
my continued studies and involvement with the Court and thank everyone so
much for their encouragement and support!”
 
“I continue to be amazed by the dedication and talents of the sommeliers who
commit to the Court’s educational program,” stated Jay Fletcher, Chairman of the
American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers.  “I commend the
successful Advanced Exam candidates and look forward to watching them strive
for even greater knowledge in the years to come.”
 
The complete list of candidates who successfully earned the title of Advanced
Sommelier at the recent Las Vegas exam include: John Bolduc (Las Vegas, NV),
Yohannah Burmeister (Oakland, CA), Ian Burrows (Oakland, CA), Stephen Clark
(Eatonton, GA), Sanae Halprin (Las Vegas, NV), Garth Hodgdon (Sacramento,
CA), Jennifer Knowles (San Francisco, CA), Rachael Lowe (Yountville, CA),
Simon Wang (Las Vegas, NV), Sandra Wauquier (Miami, FL), and Chad Zeigler
(Stevenson Ranch, CA). 
 
About the Court of Master Sommeliers
The Court of Master Sommeliers was 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.
 
There are 103 professionals who have earned the title Master Sommelier in North
America.  Of those, 89 are men and 14 are women.  There are 168 professionals
worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master
Sommelier Diploma Exam.
 
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