After voiding the tasting portion of the 2018 Master Sommeliers Diploma Examination, the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas unanimously decided it would:
- Refund all fees collected for the tasting portion of the 2018 Master Sommelier Diploma Exam;
- Hold two retesting opportunities, one before the end of this year and another during the spring or early summer of 2019. Candidates may choose either retest opportunity or may elect to take the retest during the regularly scheduled examination program in 2019;
- Waive the examination fee for the retest; and
- Offer appropriate travel cost assistance for the retest.
- The Exam and Finance Committees are working on the specific site and logistical details. All 54 candidates who participated in the tasting portion of the exam will have the opportunity to take a retest.
Earlier this week, the directors unanimously voted to invalidate the results of the tasting portion of the 2018 Master Sommelier Diploma Examination for all 54 candidates, including the 23 that passed the tasting and therefore earned the title of Master Sommelier, due to clear evidence that a Master breached the confidentiality with respect to the wines presented for tasting.
The Board of Directors has barred the Master involved from participating in any Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas programs or events and has voted unanimously to initiate the process of terminating membership pursuant to the organization’s bylaws.