"A sommelier, or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing."
Sommeliers should understand the business side of the wine industry, including pricing, sales, and marketing strategies. They should also be able to make informed buying decisions based on budget and customer preferences.
Wine History: Understanding the evolution of wine throughout history and its impact on culture, tradition, and society.
Viticulture: Understanding the science of grape growing including the various types of grapes, soil types needed, pruning, grafting, irrigation, and other factors that affect the quality and taste of the wine produced.
Enology: Understanding the science of winemaking including the fermentation process, aging, carbonation, and other techniques used to create unique and high-quality wines.
Wine Regions: Understanding the different wine regions around the world, the types of wine produced, the unique characteristics of each region, and the cultural significance of wine production in each area.
Wine Grapes: Understanding the different types of grapes used in wine production, their unique characteristics, and the regions they are grown in.
Wine Tasting: Understanding the art of wine tasting and the various techniques used to develop a rich and developed palate, including the sensory analysis of wines.
Wine and Food Pairing: Understanding the principles of wine and food pairing to enhance the dining experience and create a harmonious balance of flavors.
Wine Business: Understanding the business side of wine production including the distribution, sales, marketing, branding, and legal aspects of the industry.
Wine Service: Understanding the art of serving wine, including the proper serving temperature, glassware, and bottle presentation.
Wine Storage: Understanding the various methods of wine storage to preserve the quality and taste of wine, including temperature control, humidity, and light exposure.
Wine Sommelier: A wine sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, typically working in restaurants, hotels or bars. They are responsible for curating wine lists, suggesting food and wine pairings, and assisting guests in making wine selections.
Wine Educator: A wine educator is a person who teaches others about wine. They may teach classes, lead tastings, or write books on various aspects of wine.
Wine Journalist: A wine journalist is a writer who specializes in writing about wine. They may write reviews, articles or blog posts about wine, the wine industry, or wine regions.
Wine Consultant: A wine consultant is a professional who advises wine businesses on matters relating to wine production, marketing, distribution, or sales.
Wine Importer: A wine importer is a business that imports wines from other countries for distribution and sale.
Wine Distributor: A wine distributor is a business that purchases wines from producers and sells them to retailers, restaurants, and other buyers.
Wine Retailer: A wine retailer is a business that sells wine directly to consumers. They may include wine shops, wine stores, or online wine retailers.
Winemaker: A winemaker is a person who produces wine. They may work for a winery, or they may produce wine independently.
Wine Tour Guide: A wine tour guide is a person who escorts guests on tours of wineries and vineyards.
Wine Bar Owner: A wine bar owner is a person who owns and operates a wine bar, a business that primarily serves wine and small plates.
"Sommeliers typically work in fine restaurants."
"The role of the sommelier in fine dining today is much more specialized and informed than that of a wine waiter."
"A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional."
"Sommeliers specialize in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing."
"The role is strategically on par with that of the chef de cuisine."