Sommelier Job Profile: Uncork Career Potential

by Jane Greer

As a sommelier, you'll work in high-end, sophisticated restaurants. Your responsibilities may include consulting regularly with the executive chef about menus; a sommelier needs a thorough understanding of how food and wine pairs affect the palate. You'll be responsible for buying and properly storing wine, working with diners to suggest wines that complement their food and fit with their taste and budget, and serving each wine properly. And more frequently, sommeliers are expected to be knowledgeable about beer, distilled liquors, mineral water, and even which type of cigar or tobacco will complement a meal or a wine.

Sommeliers: A Day in the Life

Sommeliers work during all hours that the restaurant serves wine and liquor. When you're not busy in the dining room, you'll be checking your wine stock or ordering and receiving wine. If you're a morning person, or if you hate being on your feet for hours at a time, a career as a sommelier may not be for you. On the other hand, if you have a passion for wine and food and love interacting with people, this may be your dream job. Most sommeliers love to host wine-tastings designed to educate wine lovers and attract them to the restaurant. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a sommelier is being able to talk to, guide, and educate other people about your passion.

Sommelier Training Requirements

As a sommelier, you will need to taste and study wine continuously, on your own. Many wines are quite expensive and the cost can add up, so you may want to find a restaurant or wine retail job that gives you access to serious wine tastings. Some sommeliers choose to pursue formal training at a culinary school or take steps to become certified. Numerous culinary schools offer training as a sommelier. Two major training and certification organizations in North America are the International Sommelier Guild and the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Salary Information for Sommeliers

Most sommeliers work for a high-end restaurant, spa, or resort, and their salaries often reflect their important contribution to the restaurant's success. Still, sommelier salaries fall into a wide range. For instance, the Court of Master Sommeliers recently determined that a sommelier with limited experience may earn a salary of about $28,000, while a Master Sommelier--one with extensive experience, training, and certification--can earn between $80,000 and $160,000.

Sources

• Court of Master Sommeliers
• International Sommelier Guild
• Los Angeles Times
• National Restaurant Association
• Wine and Spirit Education Trust

About the author:
Jane Greer is a freelance writer, editor, and communication consultant.