By Jim Boyce

Full-time sommeliers from mainland China have the chance to go abroad as part of a competition run by Wines of South Africa.

The WOSA Sommelier Cup involves three rounds, starting with an online test in June and then, for those who make the grade, continuing with a semi-final in Beijing on July that involves a blind tasting and role-playing. The winner of that contest will head to South Africa in October to spend five days touring the country’s vineyards and then compete in the Sommelier Cup final against candidates from 10 countries. Here are the key dates:

May 31: Registration for WOSA Sommelier Cup
Jun 07: Online test with multiple choice and essay questions
Jun 15: Semi-finalists announced by this date
Jul 10: Semi-finals in Beijing, with blind tasting and role play
Oct 07: Finalist starts five days of winery tours in South Africa
Oct 12: Final, including theory, blind tasting and role play

Sound good? For more info on the program as well as travel subsidies for the semi-finalists, see this page.

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