If you’re ready to make the leap into the world of wine, the sommelier is a great career move. It’s also a challenging one! But it’s not impossible.
With some hard work and elbow grease, you can get yourself into the position of being able to talk about wine like a pro and recommend it like an expert even if that sounds intimidating right now.
So let’s break down how exactly one goes from amateur drinker to professional sommelier, shall we?
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Develop a deep understanding of wine regions, grape varieties, and production methods. |
| Gain practical experience through internships or working in wine-focused establishments. |
| Acquire certifications such as the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. |
| Hone sensory evaluation skills to identify and describe wine characteristics accurately. |
| Cultivate excellent communication and customer service skills to provide memorable dining experiences. |
| Stay updated on industry trends, new wines, and emerging winemaking regions. |
| Network with other professionals in the wine industry to expand your opportunities. |
| Consider specialization in specific wine regions or types to enhance your expertise. |
| Explore career opportunities in fine dining restaurants, hotels, resorts, and wine bars. |
| Pursue advanced positions like head sommelier or wine director with experience and expertise. |
Learn About Wine
Master the basics of wine. You’re going to need to know more than just the basics, but learning about wine is crucial because it will help you speak with confidence and authority.
Even if you don’t have any formal training, take some time to read about different types of wine so that you can at least be able to discuss them intelligently with others.
Taste wines regularly. You do not need to become an expert on tasting (that takes years), but you must become familiar enough with common flavors in wine so that when someone asks if they like a particular type or vintage.
You can make an educated guess based on what they say they prefer without sounding like an amateur who doesn’t know anything about this stuff!
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Learn About Food Pairings
Food and wine pairing is a skill that you can learn. It’s an art, but also a science. It’s all three of those things in equal measure and it’s something that you should be thinking about when matching your wine with food.
To offer proper guidance on this topic, here are some tips for creating the perfect pairing:
Start by knowing what you’re drinking before you pick out an appropriate dish for it (this is important for any kind of food/drink pairing).
If you’re drinking red wine then try not to pair it with anything too spicy or oily; white wines go best with fish and seafood dishes; sparkling wines go well with appetizers like cheese or foie gras; rosé goes well with light meats, poultry, and veggies (I’m sorry).
For example: if I were serving some lamb chops from the grill tonight then I would probably choose a Sauvignon Blanc because they tend towards being fruity while also having some nice acidity which helps cut through fatty meats like lamb chops!
Taste Wine Often
To become a sommelier, you must first find a job in a restaurant or wine retailer. This is the best way to get experience with tasting and selling wine. If you work in a restaurant, it will also give you access to some of the best bottles on the market.
Working at a winery is another option for those who want to learn from professionals without having their own money invested into purchasing expensive wines at retail prices.
Working for a winery will provide an opportunity for hands-on training with world-class wines and exposure to various types of grapes through tastings and tours around the vineyard or facility.
Many people love drinking wine but have no idea where their favorite varietals come from or what makes them unique (other than being delicious).
If this sounds like something that interests you then consider making yourself available as an expert resource when guests ask questions about your favorite bottles during tastings or restaurant visits!
Being a sommelier is not just about knowing wine; it’s about creating unforgettable experiences. Explore our in-depth article on how to land your dream job as a sommelier to discover the path to mastering the art of wine and enhancing the dining experience.
Drink Wine Often
You’ve probably heard that you should drink wine. If you want to be a sommelier, it’s probably best if you start drinking a lot of it. The more familiar and comfortable with wine you become, the easier it will be for your palate to identify what flavors are in the wine and why they’re there.
Ultimately, this process comes down to simple trial and error: try everything from different countries and regions of origin.
Tasting them at various temperatures (cooler temperatures tend to bring out fruit notes while warmer ones bring out tannins), for your taste buds to get used to different flavors.
When someone asks whether or not they should try something new or just stick with what they know (and love), remember that no one expects perfection on their first attempt at anything!
Get Some Field Experience
Working in a restaurant is the best way to get started landing your dream job as a sommelier.
Restaurants are always looking for people with good wine knowledge and training, so if you can find one that has an opening for a sommelier or assistant, take it! It will give you valuable experience in the field.
If working in restaurants isn’t possible, try working at a wine bar or shop instead. This will allow you to develop your tasting skills and learn more about different wines and how they go with food which is important when choosing which wines to serve at restaurants.
Another option would be to work in winery tasting rooms or cellars (especially those specializing in specific regions), where you’ll have lots of chances to taste different types of wine while learning about them firsthand from experts who know their stuff inside-out!
If possible, try getting some hands-on experience here too by volunteering as an intern/apprentice many wineries offer paid positions like these every year around harvest time when they need help picking grapes or something similar.”
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Learn How To Talk About What You’re Drinking
You may have had a wine or two in your life, but if you want to land any job at a restaurant, it’s important that you can talk about your wines with confidence and expertise.
For customers to get excited about ordering the perfect bottle of wine for their meal and enjoy it fully, the sommelier must be able to explain everything there is to know about its color, nose (smell), and palate (taste), finish (aftertaste) and pairing with food.
A good sommelier will also be able to compare it favorably to other wines in its price range or region and why those comparisons are important when choosing a bottle of wine.
Don’t Be A French Snob (Unless It’s French)
You are a sommelier. You have studied wine, you know all the producers, and can talk about them until the cows come home. But there is one thing you know nothing about:
French wines. Because, as a sommelier in America who wants to work for an American restaurant or hotel chain, you need to put aside your snobbery when it comes to selecting wine from France.
Unless your employer has specifically asked for a French-only list (and if that’s the case then I say go for it), then don’t be afraid of using other countries’ wines or blends in your menu offerings. For example:
If they want Pinot Noir on their menu but not Burgundy – there are great New Zealand Pinots! And Oregon Pinot Noirs too! Or Oregon Chardonnay that pairs beautifully with fish dishes…so many options!
If they want Champagne but not Crémant de Bourgogne – both are made from grapes grown in France but Champagne is from the Champagne region of France while Crémant de Bourgogne comes from anywhere else in Burgundy where grapes grow well (Chardonnay!).
Read Up On The Wine Industry
To land your dream job as a sommelier, you need to know a lot about wine. So how do you learn? There are different ways to approach this question. You can:
- Read magazines and books on the subject
- Watch videos online
- Join a wine club or take a wine tasting class
- Attend wine tastings (either in person or online)
You could also use the internet to find out more about wine, such as reading blogs and joining online forums where people discuss everything they love about it.
You can also read through the wine list at your favorite restaurant, see what wines are available there, and educate yourself on what makes each of them special.
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Meet People In The Business
Meet people in the business. You can do this through wine tastings, local events, or even online.
For example, if you’re a California-based sommelier looking for work at a New York City restaurant and want to be introduced to the wine director at that restaurant who will hopefully hire you one day, ask your friend who works as an assistant manager for that same chain’s restaurants in San Francisco out about it!
He’ll probably know who he wants to introduce you to and if his suggestion doesn’t pan out. Well, then he’ll have another friend who might be able to help (or he might just say no).
If there is someone with whom you are interested in working but are unsure of how best to contact them directly, ask around! Check out their LinkedIn profile or search for them on Facebook. Social media makes this process much easier than it used to be; after all:
If someone has geographical limitations on where they live and work based upon their job title/position within an organization then it should also follow logically that they would only interact with others within those same territories (so long as they’ve established relationships).
Make Friends With Winemakers
Winemakers are the people who make the wine. You may have already known this, but I feel it’s important to be as clear as possible with my language so you don’t get confused about what winemakers are for.
Winemakers are also the people who know the most about wine and can tell you everything there is to know about a particular region or grape varietal.
Finally, even if they aren’t hiring when you reach out to them, winemakers often know other wineries that might be hiring and will be happy to connect their friends at those wineries with someone like yourself who has experience in their industry.
Get Comfortable Talking About Yourself At Parties And Events
Before you can land a dream job as a sommelier, you have to be able to talk about yourself with confidence and ease. Getting comfortable talking about yourself is especially important because many employers will ask for references from people who know you well.
This doesn’t mean that you need to brag about all the amazing things you’ve done but if someone asks how many languages you speak or what skill set makes you awesome at organizing parties, be able to answer them without hesitation.
If they say something like “Tell me something interesting about yourself,” it’s good practice to think of a few bullet points beforehand so that when they ask, your response is ready to go!
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Always Have Business Cards On You
You should always have business cards on you. They’re a great way to get in touch with people, network, and even get a job.
Don’t think of them as just something nice to have; they are an essential part of your job search. Having business cards can help you land the job before you even apply for it.
When I was interviewing for my current position at [restaurant], the owner had never met me before our interview (we were scheduled via phone).
The first thing he did after we sat down was ask if I had any samples of my work and gave me his card so that I could send him something later on if needed again this shows how important it is to have business cards!
Become An Expert On The Wines That Your Restaurant Already Serves
First, you’ll need to become an expert on the wines that your restaurant already serves. If you are a server at a high-end steakhouse that only offers French wines, then you need to know as much about Burgundy and Bordeaux as possible.
If your restaurant primarily serves American wines, then become an expert in California Cabernet Sauvignon and Washington State Syrahs.
If there is one thing I learned during my time working in restaurants: never be afraid of asking questions. A good sommelier should always be willing to ask questions and learn more about their craft even if they think they know everything there is to know about wine!
You never know when someone will come up with a new technique or find a new way of pairing food with wine (this happened!). It could change everything we thought we knew about wine forever!
Get Comfortable With Social Media And Use It To Your Advantage
One of the most important things you can do to land your dream job is to get comfortable with social media and use it to your advantage. Social media is a great way to connect with people, promote yourself, find new jobs, and learn about wine events.
If you’ve been looking for work as a sommelier but aren’t having any luck, consider taking a look at your social media presence. Are there ways that you could improve your presence on these platforms?
If everything checks out there, then it’s time to get the word out about what an amazing sommelier you are! Your goal should be to add value wherever possible to become known by all types of people who might hire sommeliers:
Wine bars owners/managers/bartenders; restaurants owners/managers/chefs; hotels managers who organize weddings or conferences; wineries owners etc…
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground here, but I hope it’s helped you get an idea of how to land your dream job as a sommelier. There are a few key points to remember:
First and foremost, always know your wine! You can’t be expected to know everything about every wine out there, but knowing your basics is essential.
Next up is getting some field experience in restaurants or other places that serve food and drinks. This will help you build relationships with people who can offer you jobs later on down the line.
Further Reading
How to Become a Sommelier: This comprehensive guide from Indeed provides valuable insights and step-by-step instructions on how to pursue a career as a sommelier.
The Role of Sommeliers in the Hospitality Industry: This article on Hospitality Net explores the significance of sommeliers in the hospitality industry and highlights their contributions to guest experiences.
Tips to Become a Successful Sommelier: CareerAddict offers practical tips and advice for aspiring sommeliers, including educational requirements, skills, and career prospects.
Now, here’s the FAQs section:
FAQs
What qualifications are needed to become a sommelier?
To become a sommelier, you typically need to acquire certifications such as the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). These certifications demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in wine and beverage service.
Is prior experience in the hospitality industry necessary to become a sommelier?
While prior experience in the hospitality industry can be beneficial, it is not always a strict requirement to become a sommelier. However, having a strong foundation in customer service and a passion for wine can greatly enhance your prospects.
What skills are essential for a successful sommelier?
A successful sommelier possesses a deep understanding of wine, including its regions, grape varieties, and production methods. Excellent sensory evaluation skills, strong communication abilities, and the ability to create memorable dining experiences are also crucial.
How can I gain practical experience as a sommelier?
Gaining practical experience as a sommelier can be achieved through internships, apprenticeships, or working in wine-focused establishments such as restaurants or wineries. These opportunities allow you to refine your skills and build a solid foundation in the industry.
What career opportunities are available for sommeliers?
Sommeliers can explore a range of career opportunities, including working in fine dining restaurants, hotels, resorts, wine bars, cruise ships, or even as consultants and educators in the wine industry. Advancement to positions such as head sommelier or wine director is also possible with experience and expertise.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.