KEY POINTS:
Tasting wine all day sounds like the perfect job, but Cameron Douglas insists it's harder than it looks.
The Auckland University of Technology senior lecturer has passed the Master Sommelier diploma exam - the first New Zealander to achieve the distinction.
The title Master Sommelier is the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade.
There are only 158 people in the world who have earned the title since the first exam was held in London in 1969.
"It's pretty much the top of the top," Mr Douglas said. "I'm over the moon, just totally on cloud nine at the moment."
Sixteen candidates from seven countries sat the four-day exam in London this month.
Mr Douglas was awarded the Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle trophy by the Court of Master Sommeliers for passing the exam with the highest marks. It was administered in three sections: theory, tasting, and practical service.
It has taken him six years to complete four stages to become a Master Sommelier.
He said the exams were tough - he failed the final one three times before becoming a Master Sommelier.
He has spent more than $50,000 on travel to the exams in Britain and on training which involved buying wine from all over the globe and taste-testing it.
"You have to test and know a lot of classic wines from around the world so there is a lot of expertise involved."
Some local wine companies helped by letting him buy wine at cost.
Mr Douglas, who has run AUT's wine and beverage programme for 11 years, is a wine consultant to many of Auckland's top restaurants including Meredith's, Tribeca, and the Q Restaurant and Bar at the Westin hotel.
His also writes for Hospitality magazine, is a member of Cuisine's wine judging panel and was a judge at the recent Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
