About BOSC 2026

The Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) is organized by CAPS Ontario to identify, recognize, and promote excellence within Ontario's sommelier and beverage professional community. The competition is guided by the principles and structure utilized in competitions conducted under the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).

Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, a resident of Ontario, legally entitled to work in Canada, actively involved in the beverage or hospitality industry, a CAPS Ontario member in good standing, available for all competition activities, and agree to these Rules and Regulations.

The official language of BOSC shall be English. All examinations, instructions, competition materials, live tasks, and competitor responses shall be conducted in English.

All knowledge and skills expected of a professional sommelier may be tested, including viticulture, vinification, grape varieties, world wine regions, spirits, beer, sake, tea, coffee, food pairing, service, hospitality, salesmanship, and industry trends.

The competition consists of a Preliminary Examination and a Live Final. Preliminary scores determine finalists. Finalists begin the Live Final with a clean slate and no preliminary points carry forward.

Theory score prevails first, then blind tasting score. If still tied, the Head Judge will apply the official tie-break procedure established prior to the competition.

Tasks may include blind tasting, beverage identification, food pairing, wine service, sparkling wine service, decanting, salesmanship, error correction, wine list correction, rapid recognition, hospitality exercises, and other practical or oral tasks.

When time is called, competitors must immediately stop all activity whether or not the task has been completed. Incomplete tasks will be scored only on work completed within the allotted time.

The Head Judge has final authority over timing, scoring interpretation, procedures, and competition operations. All decisions are final.

Cheating, outside assistance, intoxication, harassment, or failure to follow instructions may result in disqualification. Individual scores remain confidential. Winning BOSC does not guarantee nomination to the Best Sommelier of Canada Competition.

CAPS Ontario may modify, postpone, suspend, or cancel any portion of the competition due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

CAPS Ontario reserves the right to amend these rules, modify competition components, interpret the rules, and resolve circumstances not specifically addressed herein.