Where to Take a Sommelier Course in Paris?
Do you dream of turning your passion for wine into expertise?
Good news: Paris is an incredible playground, both for curious people who want to shine in the evening and for future pros determined to tame the most demanding vintages.
We regularly receive people who ask us the same question: where to begin?
The capital offers so many options that it's easy to get lost.
Some of them were brilliant.
Others… much less so.
So we decided to keep it simple, clear, and useful.
No jargon. No fluff. Just the facts.
👉 This guide will help you choose THE training course that matches your objectives.
Whether you want to earn a degree or simply understand what you're drinking, you're in the right place.
But first: have you defined your objective?
Because absolutely everything depends on that.
Let's get down to basics. The ones that too many aspiring sommeliers overlook, yet make all the difference.
Learn the Fundamentals with a Sommelier or Wine Merchant
To register for a WSET 2 without knowing how to recognize a Chardonnay is to shoot yourself in the foot.
The certification courses assume that you already speak the language of wine.
Otherwise? You'll sink in the first week.
Why start with a wine professional?
Because a wine merchant and a sommelier adapt to the person in front of them.
He is not reciting his training in order to pass a final exam.
With us, there are no endless slides: you touch, you taste, you understand and above all, you ask your questions.
If you are interested, it couldn't be simpler: just go here and specify your request.
But if you want to learn more before taking a course (with us or elsewhere), I advise you to consult the fundamentals below.
The Three Pillars of Cellar Learning
1. French wine regions
Bordeaux and its blends, Burgundy and its climates, the Rhône and its full-bodied wines…
Without this foundation, progress is impossible.
Start by mastering the main regions, which are as follows:
2. The main grape varieties
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon, Syrah…
You learn about their aromatic markers, their preferred areas, their signatures on the palate.
One day, you'll smell a wine and say, "That's clearly Pinot Noir."
And you'll be right.
3. Sensory analysis
Identifying fruit, fermentation, aging… that’s the heart of the business.
You will therefore need to train your nose, your palate, your olfactory memory...
And that… that’s what makes it go from “I like it / I don’t like it” to “I understand what I’m drinking”.
When to Switch to Certification Training?
After 6 to 12 months of practical training, you will have:
✔ the regions
✔ the grape varieties
✔ Sensory analysis
✔ trust
Yes, there you have it: WSET, BP Sommelier, Additional Qualification…
You are ready.
And this saves them from throwing €3000 out the window on training that started too early.
Top Sommelier Training Programs in Paris
| Training / Organization | Level / Title | Duration / Format | Price | For whom / Main objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oenovino – WSET Level 1 | Beginner | 1 day (≈ 8 hours) | €250 | Ideal for discovering the basics of wine, vocabulary, service, food & wine pairings. |
| Oenovino – WSET Level 2 (Intensive) | Intermediate | 2 days (≈ 16 hours) | €600 | To deepen the tasting, learn about grape varieties/vineyards, and analyze the quality of the wines. |
| Oenovino – WSET Level 3 (Advanced) | Advanced / Semi-Pro | 5 days (≈ 35 hours) | €1,200 | To master blind tasting, understand global terroirs, and provide professional wine advice. |
| The COAM – Certificate “Professionally Tasting and Evaluating Wine” (EVE®) | From beginner to advanced | ~ 40 hours (or 30 hours depending on the formula) | €1,000 | To acquire expertise in tasting — grape varieties, terroirs, quality, technical sheets, aging potential. |
| The COAM – Certificate “Advising and Promoting Wine” (sommelier option / CPVin) | Professional development / career change | 42 hours | €2,000 | To aim for a professional role (restaurant, wine merchant, hospitality, distribution, etc.), you need to know how to advise and sell wine. |
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Your Training Program
- What is my goal?
- How much time am I willing to invest?
- What total budget can I allocate?
- What is my current level?
- What learning style suits me?
- Simple questions… but crucial ones.
Your Wine Adventure Begins Now
You now have all the information you need to make a calm and informed choice.
And if you're still hesitating?
Come see us :)
As a reminder, we are located at 231 Rue La Fayette, in the 10th arrondissement.
You can also browse our articles to learn more about wine here .
Or browse our online store here .
Sommelier skills can be learned from books, but are most often experienced in the glass.
