How To Drink Wine Reviews 

Put simply, Ashley Broshious’s Online 10-Week Prep Course is nothing short of exceptional; having studied a few wine texts over the past few years (and done too many blind tastings to count), there is truly nothing else in the education world, neither online nor in print, that demystifies the world of wine theory, teaches techniques of blind tasting wine using SCIENCE, & delivers fundamentals of world-class service such as her especially-curated course.

Ashley, having nearly decades of experience as an advanced sommelier, as well as having sat for the Master’s level exam for the CMS, and worked at some of the finest Michelin-star dining venues in the world, has exactly the sort of experience I was looking for to feel comfortable enrolling in this course.

As many other students in previous reviews have stated below, I feel more than confident to take my next exam for the Court of Master Sommeliers; for one, Ashley has taught over 250+ students to pass their Level 2 Exam in her teaching career, so this level of achievement is nothing novel to her nor those who work with her.

What I found enjoyable about her curriculum is that the group meets several times per week to review wine theory, profiles of different grapes and wine regions throughout the world, with dedicated sections on both service and 3 blind tasting sessions during the course as well (where we learn the actual science of how to taste wine using objective aromatic compounds & structural differences between grapes), where she coaches students as they find their way in the world of wine.

Personally, I can say that the sense of community and openness Ashley gives to her students’ inquiries was incredibly refreshing, and I found that she is her students’ biggest advocate of success. What’s more is that she gives the group such a kind and fun environment for us all to learn in, which is so important for me personally, as my need to feel comfortable in a learning environment is crucial.

I have nothing but superlatives to say on behalf of Ashley and her course, as well as the greater HTDW offerings they provide; the curriculum is phenomenal, the community is phenomenal, and she is nothing short of exceptional. Please consider enrolling and immersing yourself in this great material!

I couldn't recommend this course more highly. I used to be in the industry (10-ish years ago), but have a full-time job that isn't remotely connected to wine, so this was a pursuit of love. This course allowed me to really wrap my head around the massive amount of content, study habits, and practice skills that you're tested on. I passed my first time, and couldn't be happier. Also, Ashley is just a smart, kind, and thoughtful person, and the classes and materials are top-notch as a result.

This course made all the difference in passing my certified exam the first time. Ashley was so generous with her time with personal tasting and review time. As a non traditional learner, this course gave me the tools and tactics to do my best.

The most frustrating thing about preparing for the Certified Sommelier Exam is you have no idea what to study for or what to expect, especially if you’ve never worked in a restaurant environment. For every other type of exam, you have a defined course of study, a syllabus, and then you are tested on the study material you are given. With the Certified, the world of wine is so vast, you can waste months studying things that won’t be on the exam, while missing material that is.

My name is John Alanis, and that’s where I was a few months ago. I really, really wanted to pass the Certified Sommelier exam, but I didn’t know what I should be studying, I’d never carried a tray, I was a tasting group of one, and not very good at it. And yet, as I write this, it has been one week since I easily passed the exam, earning the highest grade on the service practical.

What changed?

One day when I was particularly frustrated, I saw a post by Ashley Broushious on Guildsomm, offering a ten week prep course specifically for the Certified Sommelier ezam. My prior plan was to simply take the exam, fail it a few times to see what it was all about, then finally pass it after a lot of time and a lot of money. Ashley’s prep course sounded like a much better option- and I was not disappointed.

Ashley told us exactly what we should be studying, and most importantly what we should NOT be studying. She gave us “done for you” learning resources I had no clue even existed, and taught us how to study for the exam so we would retain what we learned. Her own personal tasting method is lightning fast, and I went from a dead bang tasting loser, to a pretty competent one in the span of a few months with no tasting group whatsoever.

Service was my biggest concern, since I’d never even carried a tray. Ashely taught us exactly what to expect during the service portion of the exam, and created a great, step by step video showing us exactly what to do. I went from spilling cheap sparkling wine all over myself every time I picked up a tray, to carrying six full Champagne flutes like a pro- and my proctor at the exam said they thought I’d worked fine dining for years.

The bottom line is this: if I didn’t take Ashley’s prep course, I would have failed miserably. Because I took Ashley’s course, I passed with ease, and I was supremely confident I would pass going into the exam. Every little detail was covered. Nothing was left to chance. I was prepared for everything, and some curve balls DID come my way during the exam. I easily handled them.

Of course I am very happy and very proud to get my Certified Sommelier pin. But even better than that is the knowledge I got from taking Ashley’s course, knowledge I will retain for life. I’m not just a guy who passed an exam and got a pin, I’m now a guy with the knowledge to back it up, far more than most people who merely pass, a true Certified Sommelier. I cannot recommend Ashley’s course highly enough. If you are going to take the Certified Sommelier exam, you should sign up for her course immediately.

-John Alanis
Certified Sommelier

I just passed the CMS Certified Sommeliers’ exam and it is 100 percent because of Ashley and her 10 week prep course!! I started out studying on my own. Printing out all of the info from the court and on guildsomm, I bought every wine book and watched every online video I could. I spent two months studying yet nothing gave me a clear idea of what I actually needed to know for the test. It was tremendously frustrating feeling like I was putting in all this effort and just spinning my wheels.

Then I stumbled upon Ashley’s videos on YouTube that gave an overview of what to expect when taking the test. I learned more in that one hour video than I had in the two months on my own. I immediately followed the link and signed up for her 10 week course. It was exactly what I needed, a group of like minded enthusiastic professionals all trying to expand their wine knowledge and pass the certified exam.

There Ashely outlined everything we would need (and not need) to know for each of the three sections of the test (blind tasting, theory, and service). She showed us how to do tastings and fill out the grid, what knowledge was important for each region, how to manage our time during the exam, and she even did a mock service showing us what to expect.

I didn’t realize how well she, and the course, had prepared me until I was at the test. My nerves shot through the roof and for a moment I completely blanked on everything. Ashley’s voice ran through my head reminding me of all the training I had done and everything she had taught us. Instead of choking I was able to lean on what I had learned in the course. This calmed me down and got me through all of the most stressful parts of the test.

I passed all three sections with an average score of 81, allowing me to receive my certificate and pin. This was all thanks to Ashley. Without her help I for sure would not have passed on my first try let alone with such good scores. The amount of time, money, and headache I saved by taking this course far exceeded the price.

Thank you again!!
Sincerely,
- Matthew Fuchs Certified Sommelier

Ashley Broshious is an extraordinary coach, mentor, and sommelier whose dedication to her students is unparalleled. Her expert guidance was instrumental in my passing the Certified Sommelier exam on my first attempt, a feat I never imagined possible as someone outside the industry. Ashley’s unique tasting technique not only sharpened my palate but also revolutionized the way I understand and appreciate wine. Her remote coaching methods were incredibly effective; we practiced service together, and her constructive criticism was invaluable, allowing me to excel in the exam with confidence.

As a professional athlete, I’ve experienced many coaching styles, but Ashley’s methods stand out as the best. She seamlessly integrates her vast expertise with a genuine commitment to her students’ success, creating a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive. Her passion for teaching and her deep knowledge of wine are truly inspiring, and I am forever grateful for the dedication and care she brought to our sessions.

Thanks to Ashley, I now look forward to embarking on a new career in the wine industry with confidence and excitement. Her unwavering support and unparalleled expertise have been life-changing, and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to achieve greatness in their wine journey.

I recently completed the 10-week Certified Sommelier (CMS) prep class offered by "How To Drink Wine," followed by a series of invaluable one-on-one sessions with Ashley Broshious, and I am thrilled to share my experience.

Before starting the prep class with Ashley, I had spent six months gathering and organizing study materials for the CMS-A Certified exam. Despite my efforts, I felt I wasn't making any progress. That changed with Ashley’s class. My work schedule is awful, so finding time to effectively study was a challenge.

The prep class proved to be an incredible value. The content was clear, concise, and well aligned with the requirements of the CMS-A Certified exam. I am a map geek, so I supplemented the course with additional map resources, but the course material itself provided a solid foundation.

The one-on-one sessions with Ashley were particularly transformative. Her deep knowledge of wine, combined with her understanding of various learning styles, allowed her to tailor her coaching to my specific needs. She helped me identify and strengthen my weak areas, and her approach ensured that I could effectively retain and internalize the information.

I am proud to say that I passed the exam, and I owe a significant part of my success to Ashley and her prep class. For those aiming to pass the exam within 6-8 months, I highly recommend this prep course. If you have a longer timeframe of 18-24 months, you might find self-study sufficient, but for a structured and efficient approach, Ashley’s program is invaluable.

This course is a game changer. I had previously completed the WSET 3 and was unsure if this course would be worth the money. It most definitely was worth every penny. For me the tasting insight was paramount. Ashley breaks down the certified tasting grid in an easy to understand system. You will go into your exam with confidence. She is assailable and really cares about your progress. If you are taking the certified exam you should strongly consider this course to give you the confidence to not just pass but exceed your expectations.

I booked in for a block of coaching sessions with Alasdair and Ashley and I can’t thank them enough for their help with my wine studies. The ebooks and study plan they provided were first-class. Highly recommended for anyone interested in looking for help with their CMS or WSET levels.