How to Become a Sommelier and Break Into the Wine Industry

Pursuing a career as a sommelier requires dedication, passion, and continuous learning. By building your wine knowledge, gaining hands-on experience, and earning formal certification, you'll be well on your way to joining the ranks of top sommeliers worldwide.

A sommelier is a trained wine expert. At first, this might sound strange, after all, taste is subjective, and you might enjoy a particular wine simply because it pleases your palate. However, as Karen MacNeil explains it in "The Wine Bible,"

Like literature, then, wine encourages two assessments: one subjective, the other, objective. You may not like reading Shakespeare, but agree nonetheless that Shakespeare was a great writer. You may have loved that carafe of wine in the Parisian café… and yet know that it was not, in the end, a great wine.

Sommeliers, armed with this deeper understanding, cannot be reduced to mere enthusiasts of wine. They are professionals whose expertise lies in recognizing both the art and the science behind every bottle of wine. Such specialized knowledge has transformed the role of the sommelier into a legitimate career. But how to become a sommelier? Well, there are a few steps you must follow.

Steps to Become a Sommelier

Turning one's interest in wine into an actual career as a sommelier relies on developing an expert understanding of the craft and being able to turn that expertise into a remarkable dining experience for clients.

There are three key steps one should follow in order to become a sommelier.

Start by building your wine knowledge

The first step to becoming a sommelier is building your wine knowledge. You must explore different wine regions, from France's famous Bordeaux to Italy's Tuscany and California's Napa Valley. Each grape variety carries its own story, and you should learn what makes each one unique. In addition to learning about regions and varieties, studying the winemaking process is equally as important. Things like the climate, soil, and production techniques all play a role in determining a wine's flavor profile.

Another element in building and expanding your wine knowledge is mastering tasting techniques. Beyond simply enjoying a glass of wine, you should be able to taste and detect the most subtle flavors that someone with an untrained palate might miss. Such an ability is invaluable for making more informed recommendations.

Get hands-on experience in the industry

Theoretical knowledge is important, but hands-on experience is what truly helps you understand the field. You could gain experience by working in a restaurant or wine bar. There, you'll learn firsthand how to manage a wine list and communicate with customers when making pairing recommendations. Alternatively, working in a retail wine shop can also give you exposure to different types of wine and the preferences of various consumers.

Many sommeliers start their careers by immersing themselves in the industry. Wining and dining lecturer Lilla Fülöp became a certified sommelier after volunteering to work in a restaurant cellar. She emphasizes the importance of this hands-on experience, saying:

Service sure teaches you how to act well under pressure! You just have to make it happen.

Shadowing a professional sommelier can also provide invaluable insights into the daily responsibilities of the role, and that will help you prepare for your future.

Earn your sommelier certification

After you've built a solid wine knowledge foundation and gained relevant industry experience, the third step is to earn your sommelier certification. A certification represents a formal process that is used to test your knowledge, skill, and tasting ability. It encompasses various levels, which range from Introductory to Master Sommelier.

For the Introductory level, you'll be introduced to the basics of wine service, tasting, and regions. As you progress through the Certified and Advanced levels, you'll focus on more specialized aspects of wine theory, blind tastings, and the nuances of pairing wines with food.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is one of the top certifications recognized worldwide. The organization that provides it works with over 800 third-party course providers in more than 70 countries. One of them is the WSET Wine Certificate at César Ritz Colleges.

The WSET accreditation carries weight. It could make the difference between getting the job, or not. 

says Fülöp who is an official WSET educator.

By joining César Ritz Colleges and learning from someone like Fülöp, you'll benefit from her deep expertise and passion for teaching.

Key Traits You Need to Succeed as a Sommelier

In order to succeed as a sommelier, you'll need a set of skills, which include:

• Sharp palate for detecting subtle flavors
• Strong communication and people skills
• Deep understanding of wine regions and varieties
• Attention to detail
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Passion for continuous learning
• Knowledge of food and wine pairings
• Ability to organize large wine inventories
• Understanding of wine service etiquette
• Adaptability in fast-paced environments
• Interest in wine trends and industry developments

Is Becoming a Sommelier the Right Path for You?

For some, becoming a sommelier feels almost like a calling. If you've always been the kind of person who can effortlessly pick out the distinct notes in a glass of wine—whether it's a hint of dark berries, a touch of spice, or a subtle earthiness—this could be a clear sign that a sommelier career is on the cards for you.

However, even if you haven't felt that intuitive connection to wine, nor has the drink been a topic of interest to you, the desire to learn and grow in this field is all you truly need. As long as you have a genuine interest in wine and are excited about mastering its complexities, then the answer is simple: Yes, this career could be the perfect match for you.

How Long Does It Really Take To Become a Sommelier?

The time it takes to become a sommelier can vary widely depending on your dedication and the level you aim to achieve. Some individuals start working in the wine industry and obtain their sommelier certification within a couple of years, while others may take longer, especially if they are aiming for more advanced certifications like Master Sommelier.

Factors such as hands-on experience, the depth of your studies, and balancing work commitments all play a role in shaping this timeline.

Why Sommeliers Are Essential to the Wine World

The role of the sommelier dates back centuries, with origins in the French Renaissance. As MacNeil explains in a section of "The Wine Bible," during this time, a sommelier was a title that could be bought, allowing someone to become part of the king's or a nobleman's retinue. The sommelier's primary duty was to stock food and wine for the noble's journeys, keeping these provisions in a carriage known as a "somme".

However, stocking the provisions wasn't the sommelier's most crucial responsibility—ensuring the food and wine were safe to consume was. In a rather perilous task, the sommelier would take a bite of each food and a sip of each wine before serving it to his lord, risking his own life to detect if anything had been poisoned.

While the role of the sommelier has, thankfully, evolved dramatically from its dangerous beginnings, it remains just as essential. Today, people don't just drink wine—they savor it, appreciating the layers of flavor and the ways it can elevate a meal when paired perfectly. This is where sommeliers shine. They have the expertise to guide patrons through an often overwhelming selection of wines, helping them discover new favorites or find the perfect bottle to complement a dish.

Sommeliers offer more than just recommendations; they bring a sense of occasion and expertise to the dining experience. It may seem like a small thing—choosing a wine for dinner—but it can transform an ordinary meal into a memorable experience.

Conclusion

Of course, everyone can choose their own wines and enjoy them based on personal preferences. But for those who seek expertise and guidance in selecting the perfect bottle, sommeliers make the right choices and enhance the experience, pairing wines with meals and occasions in ways that elevate every sip.

And if you're someone who wants to take on that role, helping others discover the magic of wine, it's entirely possible through training, hands-on experience, and certification programs like the one at César Ritz Colleges. With the right knowledge and dedication, you could be the one pouring the perfect glass.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much do sommeliers make?

Sommeliers make around $58,750 per year.

What are some of the primary duties of a sommelier?

A sommelier's primary duties include selecting and recommending wines, managing wine inventories, and pairing wines with food to enhance the dining experience.