A sommelier, often known as a wine steward, is a professional who is knowledgeable about excellent wine and is responsible for serving it to customers. The term “sommelier” comes from the French language, and formerly, a wine steward’s job description included serving royalty. Modern sommeliers work at high-end establishments, providing their expertise. A sommelier should be well-versed in all aspects of wine, including the sorts of grapes used to create a specific wine, the location in which the grapes were grown, the vineyards where the grapes were grown, the rating of a wine, and the many vintages of different wines.
What does a Sommelier do?
Wine stewards are also responsible for a variety of additional tasks in addition to pouring wine. These obligations include the following:
The majority of sommeliers travel throughout the world to sample new wines and to attend food and wine conventions and conferences. In the food and wine industries, a competent wine specialist will be up to date on all of the latest trends. He or she will also assist consumers in becoming more comfortable with wine tasting and assisting them in selecting a wonderful wine within their price range. Customers’ thoughts on wine may also help sommeliers gain a better understanding of the product.
For the most part, a skilled sommelier will be able to make their client’s dining experience memorable by recommending wines that will complement the flavor of the cuisine that they are currently eating.
Where Do Sommeliers Work?
Among the industries in which you may find work as a sommelier are the following:
The majority of sommeliers are employed in the hotel industry. They are employed by luxury hotels and high-end restaurants in order to give outstanding service to the wine enthusiasts that frequent their establishments. Country clubs, casinos, and cruise ships are examples of settings that can require the services of a sommelier.
- Sommeliers might also find employment in the retail industry. Their services are used by several brick-and-mortar establishments as well as large internet merchants to manage their wine inventories. It’s possible that the same is true for large grocery chains that offer both food and beverages.
- Estate sommeliers are employed by several wineries. It is their primary responsibility to carry out marketing and sales responsibilities, such as developing marketing materials, negotiating with prospective purchasers, and arranging tasting events on the estate.
- Finally, a sommelier may be able to obtain employment in the field of teaching. Wine tastings, lectures, and seminars are in high demand since there are so many wine fans who want to learn more about their favorite beverage. Sommeliers are the ideal hosts for these kind of gatherings because of their extensive wine knowledge.
Managing the Wine Portfolio
Sommeliers are responsible for the management of a current wine inventory in addition to discovering new wines. They are in charge of the wine cellar and ensure that it is kept in correct storage conditions, such as at the proper temperature, light, and humidity. They will remove wines from the list if they are no longer appropriate for the location. They also make sure that the wine list is up to date.
Beers, liquors, and non-alcoholic beverages are all under the supervision of sommeliers at various establishments, including bars and restaurants.
Monitoring the Financial Aspects
The financial aspects of maintaining a wine portfolio are typically included in a sommelier’s responsibilities as well. Negotiating purchase pricing, analyzing sales statistics, and reevaluating selling prices on a regular basis are all part of the process.
Providing Guidance to Clients and Customers
In high-end establishments, sommeliers are on hand to share their expertise with diners personally. They inquire about the diners’ culinary preferences as well as their favored wine attributes. They provide a recommendation for a wine from the venue’s inventory based on this information.
Once the customers have made their selection, the sommelier brings the bottle to them, opens it, and asks them to approve the wine.