How to become A Sommelier

As wine connoisseurs trained to enhance the wine experience of discerning and amateur customers alike, Sommeliers act as guides and bridges between the wine and its patrons.

• Wine Sommelier 
• Certified Sommelier 
• Professional Certified Sommelier 
• Certified Professional Sommelier
• Wine Steward 
• Wine Professional 
• Wine Expert
• Wine Waiter

What do Sommeliers do?

A Sommelier would typically need to:

• Use their knowledge of wine to enhance the fine dining experience of guests in restaurants or private residences
• Put the guests at ease; chat about the weather or the guests’ interests to establish rapport; ease the discussion toward what they will have for dinner
• Find out which wines the guests favour; help them understand the available wine list
• Check whether they want something similar to or different from preferred choices to accompany the current meal; establish a reasonable price range
• Propose wines at reasonable price levels, based on information provided by the guests and knowledge of the contents of the menu and the restaurant’s wine cellar
• Provide information about the recommended wines, including their history, taste, body, aroma, and colour; add interesting details of wineries and vineyards
• Collaborate with the chef to come up with innovative and appealing food and wine pairing recommendations for the menu
• Create a wine list, comprising a diverse and balanced selection of wines that factors in diverse tastes, preferences, and price ranges
• Update the wine list regularly based on seasonality, food menu changes, customer preferences, and emerging wine trends
• Monitor and manage the wine inventory for a well-stocked wine cellar; ensure proper storage conditions, temperature control, and inventory rotation
• See to it that the wine cellar is properly organised; label, categorise, and catalogue wines properly
• Monitor wine consumption, assess demand, and make recommendations for restocking and updating the wine selection
• Select and procure wines compatible with the establishment’s cuisine and target clientele from carefully-vetted suppliers and receive deliveries
• Attend tasting sessions and maintain beneficent relationships with winemakers and distributors to source and purchase desired wines
• Coordinate and host wine-tasting dinners and events, showcasing wine from diverse domestic or international regions, to promote guest relations and wines
• Build and maintain amicable relations with loyal customers, create personalised wine recommendations, and encourage guests to purchase high-quality wines
• Be accountable for optimal generation and proper documentation of wine sales, minimal waste initiatives, and inventory management
• Educate and train staff about relevant aspects of wine so they can provide excellent service and make sure the wines are served at their best
• Conduct staff training sessions, workshops, and tastings to elevate wine knowledge, enhance wine service skills, and foster a culture of wine appreciation
• Make sure wine glasses are clean and free from fingerprints or smudges; ensure trolleys, decanters, ice buckets, coasters, and bottle holders are clean
• Manage the bar area, prepare customer invoices, operate cash registers, and tidy up, if necessary

Sommeliers may work in diverse settings, such as high-end commercial dining rooms, banquet functions, private clubs, catering venues, and private residences. 

The work involves a mix of front-of-house and back-of-house tasks and close interaction with restaurant staff, cellar staff, managers and chefs, and beverage suppliers. They often travel to trade shows or tasting sessions.

Sommeliers typically work long shifts, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. They may have to stay after business hours to work until the early morning.

Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Sommeliers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Self-employment and freelancing are viable options.

Sommeliers are generally employed by:

• Fine Dining Establishments
• Luxury Hotels
• Cruise Liners
• Wineries
•  Retail Wine Businesses
• Culinary Schools
• Event Management Companies

Professional associations and organisations, such as The Association De La Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), are crucial for Sommeliers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Staying updated on the continuously expanding world of wines and harmonious pairings with food in the face of hectic work schedules
• Accurate and consistent identification and description of diverse flavours, aromas, and nuances in wine through a refined palate
• Customers and staff members with varying levels of wine knowledge, preferences, and tastes
• Balancing quality, variety, and pricing of wine lists with customer expectations and financial goals
• Maintaining high professional standards and attention to detail, precision, and grace during peak hours
• Physical exhaustion and probable health issues from lifting heavy boxes and wine
• Crowded and noisy work environment, compounded by long periods on one’s feet
• Work schedules that interfere with one’s circadian rhythm and social life

Any academic programme that a potential Sommelier takes up typically requires industry experience and practical skills that tie into its theoretical aspect. The student will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that sync with lessons inside it. 

One may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Summer internships and short-term paid/voluntary work in the hospitality and food industry, especially bartending or serving/managing in a restaurant, bar, or private venue, give aspiring Sommeliers a taste of the career and helps build professional contacts who can pave the way for future job opportunities and mentorships.

Prior industry experience in a restaurant or bar setting incorporating practical knowledge of its high-pressure, fast-paced environment may sometimes discount the need for formal qualifications. 

Establishments with a strong wine programme offer hands-on experience in wine service, sales and customer interaction. Wine importers, too, offer enthusiastic learners practical lessons on wine tasting and improving their palate.

Sommeliers who wish to work in prestigious restaurants need not have access to exam-oriented wine education on how to taste and evaluate wine. With at least two years of relevant experience in vineyards, restaurants, and wine bars, they can obtain adequate knowledge of wine and potential food pairings to help customers make educated choices.

Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join science, home economics, wine appreciation, and foreign language clubs. Work in a restaurant or cafe to gain valuable experience in customer service and communication. Volunteer or work part-time at local wineries or vineyards to get first-hand exposure to the industry.

Take wine appreciation courses or workshops outside school to develop your palate and learn about diverse wines. Study French, Italian, Spanish, or other languages associated with wine-producing regions.

If feasible, consider buying pairings commonly found in wine tastings, restaurants, and hotels to identify which components contribute to a remarkable wine-tasting experience. Try popular food and wine pairings with family and friends to get first-hand knowledge of individual tastes and their influence on your recommendations.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experienced Sommeliers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Although it’s possible to become one with only a high school diploma or its equivalent, Sommeliers with an associate or bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, beverage management skills, oenology/viticulture, winemaking or hospitality management are more likely to find a job.

Accredited beginner, intermediate and advanced certificate and diploma courses in wines and spirits provide a structured overview of wine. In addition to proving your theoretical knowledge and practical skills, a Sommelier certificate from a reputed wine school may increase your chances of employment and higher pay.

Employers may prefer applicants with supplementary certificates in food hygiene, professional food and beverage service, and customer service principles in hospitality, leisure, travel, and tourism. 

Recommended high school courses include biology, chemistry, world history, world geography, culinary arts, business, marketing, economics and foreign languages, such as Italian, French, and Spanish.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field. 

Certification demonstrates a Sommelier’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Industry-recognised wine-related certifications, providing a comprehensive education and evaluation process, can help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.

Certification programmes highly regarded in the wine and hospitality community typically begin with Introductory Sommelier and progress through Certified Sommelier and Advanced Sommelier to build up to Master Sommelier.

Participants learn about wine production, wine regions, grape varieties, viticulture, winemaking, wine-tasting techniques, food and wine pairing, wine service, and cellar management. 

Pre-requisites often include a certain level of practical experience in the wine industry gained through working in restaurants or wine businesses. Success at each level involves thoroughly examining theoretical knowledge, blind-tasting abilities, and practical wine service skills. 

Sommeliers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Sommeliers who can aspire to become Head Sommeliers or Beverage Directors in luxury or high-end establishments.

Individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit may open their own wine bars or host tasting events after amassing adequate funds, professional contacts and potential clientele. 

Incumbents with a yen for sharing their hard-earned knowledge may teach in culinary schools or become Wine Consultants, Wine Tasters, or Managers for wine producers or importers.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.

Sommeliers who can prove their passion, expertise, and versatility in the ever-evolving world of wine have the best job prospects. People skills, an empathetic nature, an excellent palate, and requisite business acumen and computer skills also count.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Sommelier build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning. 

Higher-level certification that can make you an Advanced or Master Sommelier requires several years of intense study and practice. You may also wish to take additional courses that will help you with placing, receiving and recording shipments and cost-related issues, such as pricing and profit margins.

Attend wine tastings, auctions, seminars, and industry events to meet other Sommeliers and wine professionals while entertaining clients. Networking helps one remain aware of trends in the wine industry and coveted job opportunities in upscale restaurants, vineyards, or wine bars. 

Magazine reviews also help one enhance their knowledge of cheese, hors d’oeuvres, oysters, caviar, and new wines may also come in handy when seeking employment in high-end establishments.

Make sure to update your resume, so it continues to reflect your current skills and knowledge in designing wine lists and ensuring exemplary service standards. Follow up with the hiring manager to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a coveted position.

In addition to offering the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increase your chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.

What It Takes to Develop a Refined Palate

To do justice to their claims to being connoisseurs of wine, Sommeliers must be able to taste and identify the subtle yet distinct nuances in the different varieties. While much of the ability is innate, training plays a critical role in honing the trait.

Wine being an alcoholic beverage, an enthusiast must be of legal drinking age and take it slow. Hone in on a specific region and taste as much as possible before moving on to another area. Information overload can lead to forgetting important details when you need them most.

The Customer Rules

The sip a customer takes after committing to a bottle allows them to check the wine for oxidation or bits of cork floating around the glass. If everything seems fine, but the customer isn’t impressed with the wine, a good Sommelier should do everything possible to set things right and make them happy without making the guest feel intimidated or ignorant.

Keep It Simple

Good Sommeliers make the experience fun for even inexperienced wine consumers. Ask basic questions and ask lots of follow-ups to get a better understanding of the guest’s preferences and expectations.

Current Scenario

The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.

An expanding wine culture has witnessed the introduction of wine programmes, including an extensive list of options, in fine-dining restaurants and establishments. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for Sommeliers and more related job opportunities in the hospitality industry.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Sommeliers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, full-time Sommeliers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Orange wine, often bold, robust, nutty, and bitter, pairs beautifully across the board, from spicy dishes to beef to fish.

Experts in all matters related to wine, Sommelier play an integral role in the world of fine dining and wine appreciation as they create memorable and unique wine experiences with grace and art.

A good Sommelier will lean on easily translated visuals to ensure the customer enjoys the wine without being intimidated by the experience. A good example would be to ask them to imagine buying red or black plums. Guests that choose red may want something lighter with more acidity, while those who opt for the black plums may prefer darker and juicier.