While a dining establishment is not required to employ a sommelier, clubs understand the value of having a sommelier on their team. With a sommelier’s expertise in wine tasting and pairing, wine theory and wine service, a sommelier is a beneficial addition to any country club. Anyone who works directly with wine in a restaurant setting can label themselves a sommelier without any certification; however, an educated and certified sommelier is far more desirable than someone claiming to know about wine.
There are many institutions that offer certificates in wine education, but there are only a handful of highly recognized programs to prove someone’s in-depth knowledge of wine. All the different schools specialize in honing different skills, whether it is to have a career as a wine expert or simply expand one’s knowledge of wine.
The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) are two of the world’s most respected wine education institutions, each offering a four-tiered program. CMS is primarily targeted at individuals who want to work in the hospitality industry as sommeliers or wine/beverage directors, whereas WSET is for anyone and everyone with an interest in wine, whether for personal joy or professional aspirations.
The WSET focuses on history, theory and practical application and offers qualifications in tiers designed to be studied progressively, from one-day beginner courses to the advanced Level 4 Diploma. It normally takes between 18 months and 3 years to complete the diploma, with a minimum requirement of 500 hours of study time. To complete the diploma, students must pass all six units, each with its own exam or assessment, successfully meeting the rigorous assessment requirements across the syllabus. WSET Level 4 Diploma is incredibly rewarding but also highly challenging and will take your wine education to an elite level. As many prospective employers are aware of the rigor, discipline and depth of knowledge required to earn a WSET Diploma, earning the diploma will play an invaluable role in one’s professional development.
CMS’s intensive educational program guides aspiring Master Sommeliers through four increasingly rigorous levels of coursework and examination, culminating with the Master Sommelier Diploma exam, said to be one of the world’s most challenging tests. Courses are intended to be taken consecutively, with each level requiring you to have passed the previous within a certain time frame. Courses and exams start with Introductory Sommelier, followed by Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier and culminating with Master Sommelier. The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination consists of three parts: a theory examination (an oral examination and not written), a deductive tasting of six wines, and a practical wine service examination. Candidates must also memorize the intricacies of every one of the 10,000 wine grape varietals in the world.
The Master Sommelier diploma distinguishes a service professional worthy of the title and is known throughout the hospitality business worldwide. The Master Sommelier title guarantees to an employer and diners that they are among the most qualified in the industry, with outstanding tasting and evaluation skills, wine knowledge and outstanding abilities in service and beverage department management.
Sommeliers are dedicated to providing a very high level of service and strive to surpass expectations. As a sommelier, you are part of the service team, no matter how high up you get. One of the most valuable ways to train as a sommelier is to begin working as a server to understand how service works along with finding a mentor. Some sommeliers begin by working in the foodservice industry under the guidance of experienced sommeliers. There are tricks and tools of the trade that you are only going to learn in the field, working under someone who knows what they’re doing and is invested in teaching you.
A sommelier must gain expansive knowledge of types of grape, wine regions and geography, and wine history. Sommeliers must also demonstrate expert knowledge of the way wine interacts with all of our senses. A sommelier works hard to obtain sound knowledge on both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, food and wine pairings, as well as keeping up with the latest wine trends. Sommeliers are specialists in certain techniques, such as how to pour drinks and serve guests along with possessing good manners when handling and tasting wine. Sommeliers must also build the wine list, create food and wine pairings while working closely with the chef, discuss menu content and wine lists, demonstrate an ability to sell, manage the wine portfolio, monitor the financial aspects, provide advice to patrons, and train staff.
While a sommelier needs an education, there are also many important characteristics that contribute to a sommelier’s success in the club industry. A sommelier must have strong communication and social skills in order to work with winemakers, chefs, servers and members. They must be good at adapting to different environments, have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and be quick on their feet. Sommeliers must also have impeccable attention to detail and patience, especially when dealing with member requests. Becoming a successful sommelier with a country club requires an education and certain characteristics and responsibilities beyond selecting and serving wine, and like any profession, a sommelier’s training never stops.