As we the people are hiring one, guess we should know what we are getting:
The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) offers an education in food and wine, as well as an accreditation program for sommeliers. The accreditation program lasts for six months and meets one day a week for eight hours. In addition, the ISG offers a Grand Sommelier Diploma, for which a student must complete a combination of elective and mandatory courses from one of 24 specialties.
The Court of Master Sommeliers is an internationally recognized organization that trains sommeliers. The first step in the process of becoming a master sommelier is the Introductory Sommelier Course. This is followed by the Certified Sommelier Exam, the Advanced Sommelier Course and the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. Admission to the Court of Master Sommeliers is by invitation only, for those who have already become Master Sommeliers.
Sommeliers are not just wine-lovers who have taken a couple of extension courses in wine tasting. Many sommeliers are highly trained professionals who have refined their knowledge of wine through dedicated study.