To become a sommelier, one generally follows a structured path that involves gaining practical experience, acquiring wine knowledge through study, and obtaining formal certification. Here are the main steps:
- Gain Industry Experience: Start working in restaurants, bars, or vineyards to build relevant experience and understand the hospitality industry and wine service.
- Study Wine Knowledge: Learn about wine regions, grape varieties, wine production methods, tasting techniques, and food wine pairings. This can be through self-study, books, online courses, or attending seminars.
- Take Certification Courses: Enroll in sommelier certification programs like those by the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), or other recognized institutions. These usually involve multiple levels:
- Introductory/Certified Sommelier
- Advanced Sommelier
- Master Sommelier (highest, most difficult certification)
- Practice Tasting and Service Skills: Develop the ability to correctly identify wines by taste (blind tasting) and master proper wine service, including etiquette and handling.
- Continue Education and Gain Experience: Constantly update your knowledge and gain more hands-on experience through sommelier roles in fine dining or specialized wine establishments.
- Optionally Attend Wine School: Some may choose formal wine or hospitality education to accelerate their knowledge, such as the CAPS Certified Sommelier Program or specialized sommelier-centric wine schools.
These steps can take several years to complete, and the Master Sommelier certification is notably very challenging, with a very low passing rate.
