While the Court of Master Sommeliers is a top choice for those who plan to work in a restaurant, there are other avenues for advancing in wine whether you’re a professional or budding enthusiast. So it probably comes as no surprise that this is one of the hardest exams to pass… ever. In fact, there are only 236 individuals worldwide who hold the title of Master Sommelier, 149 of whom are in the U.S. There are four levels of the Court, the top being the Master Sommelier level – an esteemed title only earned by the best of the best. The most talked about certification organization in the United States is definitely the Court of Master Sommeliers, which is heavily focused on the service aspect of wine. Depending on the person’s level of knowledge to start, it can take months of studying to become a certified sommelier and even years to reach a more advanced level. There’s really no way to sugar coat it: becoming a certified sommelier takes a lot of work, including rigorous study and lots of practice to develop a palate. It may go without saying, but if you want to follow the path to becoming a sommelier, you’ll need to have a deep appreciation and passion for wine… but you’ll also need a lot of drive. While anyone who works directly with wine in a restaurant setting can label themselves a sommelier, a certified sommelier requires some level of formal education, training, and experience. What’s most vital, first and foremost, is that a sommelier has a deep knowledge of wine – sometimes also beer and spirits – and how each beverage works in harmony with food. ![]() Depending on the restaurant, they’ll likely take on a broader role, which could include developing wine lists for multiple restaurants, managing staff trainings, and working alongside chefs to develop new dishes that complement the wine or vice versa. That being said, the modern version of a sommelier may not be limited to the floor of a restaurant interacting with guests and making runs to the cellar. ![]() A sommelier should have formal training to be able to specialize in all aspects of wine service, wine and food pairings, and wine storage. The more you know about the role of the somm, the better you’ll be able to take full advantage of their knowledge and expertise the next time you’re perusing that wine list.Ī sommelier (pronounced suh-mel-yay) is a wine steward, also known as a knowledgeable wine professional who typically works in a fine dining establishment. Yes, a sommelier is the person serving wine at a restaurant, but there’s much more to it, so we’re uncorking the mystique behind this popular job. While the role of the ‘somm’ comes with a bit of a celebrity status these days, there are many people out there still confused about what the job actually entails. As more people become interested in wine, the concept of a sommelier isn’t so foreign anymore, and documentaries like Somm and the TV series Uncorked have really catapulted this profession into the spotlight. ![]() It’s nearly impossible to talk about wine these days without the word ‘sommelier’ being brought up in conversation.
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