SASA Junior Sommelier Certificate
Aimed at service professionals with experience in the trade looking to formalise their skills with a qualification. Will require competent knowledge of South African wine, basic knowledge of international wine, competent understanding of professional service and be able to perform complex service tasks.
Junior Sommelier Examination Overview
How it works
The Junior Sommelier Examination, hosted by the South African Sommelier Association (SASA), is designed to assess foundational wine knowledge and core sommelier skills. It consists of two parts:
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Theory Paper: 50 questions (multiple choice and short written answers) covering broad wine topics.
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Practical Exam: A real-life service simulation testing wine service, food and wine pairing, and general tasting skills.
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Key Preparation Areas:
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Viticulture & Winemaking: Basics of vineyard and cellar practices.
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Grape Varieties & Wine Styles: Key local and global grapes and wine types.
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South African Wine Knowledge: Regions, styles, producers, and the Wine of Origin system.
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International Wine Knowledge: Focus on classic regions and classification systems.
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Product Knowledge: Wine labels, major producers, and terminology.
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Other Beverages: Beer, cider, spirits – their production, ingredients, and service.
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Sommelier Skills: Wine faults, serving temperatures, food pairing, and guest interaction.
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General Knowledge: Industry news, awards, organizations, and trends.
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Candidates are encouraged to aim for a practical understanding rather than memorizing technical detail, with a primary focus on South African wine and hospitality standards.
You must be a member to take this exam.
Click HERE to become a member.