Elevate Your Palate, Not Your Nose

Discover the Art of Wine & Spirits Without the Snobbery

We believe enjoying fine beverages should be an adventure, not an exam. Here at the Contemporary Sommelier Society (CSS), we've stripped away the pretension that too often clouds the world of wine and spirits. Our passion isn't about exclusive terminology or rigid traditions, it’s about the stories in every bottle, the science behind every sip, and the joy of sharing that knowledge with others.

More Than Just Tasting Notes

Wine and spirits represent centuries of craftsmanship, regional traditions, and innovative techniques. They're liquid time capsules that connect us to history while offering endless variety for modern explorers. Whether you're captivated by the terroir of a vineyard, the aging process of a bourbon, or pairing the perfect beverage with a delicious dish, we celebrate your curiosity without judgment.

Meet Your Guides to the Glass

Our founders are not just teachers, they’re also Sommeliers and avid consumers.  Each of them are students of the vine and still whose passion for the topic spans multiple generations. What started as family tradition blossomed into professional passion as we noticed something troubling: the world of fine beverages was often presented through a lens of exclusivity (snobbery) rather than accessibility.

After decades of personal exploration and professional certification, including credentials from multiple international organizations, we arrived at a simple mission: help people understand what they're drinking in an environment that's educational, engaging, and refreshingly unpretentious.  While it’s something that we’ve been doing in person for years not, the passion to share that knowledge met with the constraints of time and availability pushed us to create this online learning experience for folks who are not only fascinated about their beverages, but also want to share that knowledge with others too.

This Course Is For You If:

• You want to be a sommelier, and learning online via a text base course is right for you

• Sommelier Certification is your goal

• Snobs bother you

• You want to build a collection (either of knowledge or bottles) and share your passion

• You're looking to confidently pair beverages with meals for guests, friends, or clients

• The "why" behind what makes great drinks taste great is cool to you

• You're ready to develop a palate that can appreciate both classics and innovations

From Novice to Knowledgeable: Your Journey Starts Here

Our comprehensive curriculum combines sensory exploration, production fundamentals, regional traditions, and practical skills to transform your appreciation into expertise. Whether you're seeking professional development or personal enrichment, you've found your community of fellow enthusiasts who believe learning should be as enjoyable as the subject itself.  The only prerequisite here is passion and some very basic knowledge about wine and spirits (the kind you probably already have from visiting restaurants and bars). 

Don’t be shy about what you think you know or need to know.  We’re here to help and we love to teach.  The only thing we look down on is the bottom of our glasses and snobs, join us, and discover how much richer life becomes when you understand the craftsmanship in every pour.