Plot Synopsis

UNCORKED is a one-hour reality series that follows six aspiring Master Sommeliers preparing for, and finally attempting to pass, the Master Sommelier test, an exam so grueling and difficult that only 230 people across the globe have passed the test in its 40+ year history. To pass the test, one must have an extensive knowledge of wine theory, the skills to perfectly present and serve wine to the most discerning palates, and from taste alone -- the ability to determine the year, grape variety and region of a wine (down to the exact, tiny village where the grapes were grown). Earning the elusive title takes personal sacrifice, confidence, a comprehensive knowledge of every wine from around the world, and... a really thick skin. They'll face harsh criticism from the Masters at every turn, but if they can endure and perform well in the finals, they just might realize their dream. The Sommeliers must pass all three parts (theory, service and blind tasting) in three years or they have to start from square one. Attending tasting events around the world -- from Sonoma to Spain -- each hour-long episode of UNCORKED features the Sommeliers swirling, smelling and slurping a multitude of wines. They also enter competitions overseen by Master Sommeliers including: Geoff Kruth, MS (President, Guildsomm.com), Andy McNamara, MS (Chairman, Court of Master Sommeliers), Fred Dame, MS (Founder, American Chapter of the Court of Masters) and Laura Maniec, MS (Co-Founder, Corkbuzz Restaurant & Wine Bar in New York and North Carolina). Impressing these Masters Sommeliers along the way will gain the candidates a huge advantage, as they strive to achieve their ultimate goal. In the final episode, the six Sommeliers finally face the exam they have been working towards for years, in the hopes of becoming a Master Sommelier. The six Somms include: Jack Mason, who joined the opening team of Marta as Wine Director in 2014, where he enjoys focusing on wines of Southern Italy and Champagne, and has taken the exam twice before; Yannick Benjamin, who is now a Sommelier at New York's University Club and lead lecturer for Saturday seminars at Le Du's Wines in the West Village -- and is on his final attempt to pass the test; Jane Lopes, who passed her Advanced Exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers, receiving the second highest score, and is taking the examination for the first time; Dana Gaiser, on his third attempt on the exam, who accepted a position as an Assistant Sommelier in 2001 after a four-year diversion studying Mechanical Engineering at Stanford; Josh Nadel, a native New Yorker and the Executive Beverage Director of Andrew Carmellini's restaurants in New York City, who is taking the test for the fourth time; and Morgan Harris, who works as a Sommelier at the Michelin-starred Aureole restaurant in New York's Times Square and is taking the exam for the second time.
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On Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT, Esquire premiered the season finale of UNCORKED. In the season ender, "Master Sommelier Exam: Aspen," everything is on the line for the somms as they head to Aspen for the Master Sommelier Exam. Over wine of course, they discuss the "what-ifs" in passing the exam and what that might mean for their future. The camaraderie and friendship between these peers turns out to be the perfect pairing.