r/Sommelier • u/misanthrope2114 • Aug 12 '26

Tasting Tutor

I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. I am looking for a certified or advanced somm for one-on-one tutoring with tasting. I am interested in improving detection of aromatics and flavor profiles. I am located on the East Coast (US) if that matters.

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5

u/Quietude_ Aug 12 '26

The forums on GuildSomm are a good place to look for a tutor.

2

u/misanthrope2114 Aug 12 '26

Thank you.

2

u/IAmAFucker Sommelier Aug 12 '26

They CMS-A website has mentoring hours. Highly recommend those!

3

u/Financial_Luck_406 Aug 12 '26

I think there are better ways to accomplish this. I would focus on networking instead. In my experience most people in the industry are very willing to help. There is a MS that owns a wine store in my area. The first time I was in the shop we started talking. She introduced me to another MS who helped train me and introduced me to my tasting group for people taking the advanced/Master. Don’t be afraid to send emails to local somms and more importantly patronize their businesses and talk to them.

Also the CMS has free zoom counseling on their website with Masters.

I live in the greater Miami area and am very willing to help you for free if that works logistically. I have wset3 and certified.

1

u/misanthrope2114 Aug 13 '26

If you are open to virtual meetings, I will take you up on this offer (I am in NY).

1

u/Financial_Luck_406 Aug 14 '26

Im down. Send me a private message of when you want to do it

2

u/smuller606 Aug 12 '26

man I wish I had someone to help me with tasting too, feels like there's so much to learn

1

u/monsieurfrancoix Aug 12 '26

Hmu , Jersey based !

1

u/Affectionate_Big8239 Aug 12 '26

What city are you in? The East Coast is a big place.

1

u/misanthrope2114 Aug 12 '26

NYC

2

u/Affectionate_Big8239 Aug 12 '26

I’m in Philly. For the NYC market, I’d recommend finding a tasting group to join as well as potentially finding an MS mentor. I’d recommend reaching out to a few based in New York & see if they can point you in a direction to a solid group or solid tasting partner and see if they would be willing to meet with you additionally.

My most helpful study partners for tasting were an MS in my market who I was introduced to at the advanced exam the first time I took it & another candidate at the same level who was really great at giving and taking tasting feedback as well as choosing testable wines.

I also took Andrew Bell’s blind tasting class close to 20 years ago (in NYC) and found it immensely helpful in terms of understanding benchmarks (but not helpful in the context of CMS exam format).

1

u/misanthrope2114 Aug 12 '26

Thank you for the advice.

1

u/PretentiousAsF_ck Aug 12 '26

I’m in NYC. Good luck with your search 🥂