If you are a lover and passionate about everything related to wine, you will know for sure what does a sommelier do and the importance it has within the field of wines. However, there are many people who are unaware of the main functions of the sommelier and what role he has in the world of gastronomy.
In the following article we help you clear up all the doubts you may have on the figure of the sommelier.
what is a sommelier
The figure of the sommelier dates from the Middle Ages, so contrary to what many people may think It is not a modern trade or profession. Today the sommelier is the person in charge of keeping track of the wine cellar of a restaurant. The work of the sommelier has a direct relationship with the kitchen of the place, since depending on the dishes the wines will be one or the other.
It should be noted that over the years, The sommelier has been gaining in importance in the field of hospitality and gastronomy. At present, he is dedicated to serving different clients so that they are clear about what wine to drink while they taste the different dishes of food.
What functions does the sommelier have?
In relation to the different functions of the sommelier, the following must be indicated:
- You must be up to date with everything that concerns the world of wines, since it is in charge of the stock that the restaurant's warehouse has.
- Wine pairing in relation to the dishes that are going to be served in the restaurant.
- Help different customers to choose the best possible wine to take with meals.
- Vela for good conservation of the wines in the cellar.
As you have seen, he is a fundamental figure in the world of hospitality and wine. Thanks to his training and his knowledge customers are able to know the different characteristics of the wines and enjoy them.
What do you have to study to be a sommelier?
When it comes to doing your job in the best possible way, A good sommelier should have the following knowledge:
- Know everything related with wine pairing.
- Good relative knowledge to the field of oenology.
- To be up to date in everything that concerns the world of wines.
- Knowledge about wine tasting.
- Learn about the different wineries in the area in which he works.
- Know how to serve wines to get the most out of them.
Apart from such knowledge, A good sommelier must have a series of skills or abilities:
- be a communicative person and with gift of people.
- hobby and passion through the world of wines.
- Social skills when dealing with customers.
In the case of studies, it must be indicated that to work as a sommelier You don't need to have higher education. In the vast majority of cases, future sommeliers are usually trained in hostelry schools or in specialized professional training courses. Today the job offer is quite varied, so you will not have any kind of problem when it comes to training and acquiring the necessary knowledge to be a good sommelier.
What are the job opportunities of the sommelier
There are many job opportunities regarding the work of a sommelier. In this way the figure of the sommelier It is present in many places and establishments in the world of hospitality:
- Restaurants.
- Gastrobars.
- wine bars
- In specialized media as a food critic.
- specialized establishments in wines.
What is the salary of a sommelier
The salary of a sommelier will vary according to a series of factors that must be taken into account. If we had to talk about the average salary of a sommelier It would be about 1.500 euros gross per month. The seniority of the professional together with the type of restaurant in which he offers his services, can make the salary a little higher. In any case, it can be said that a sommelier earns something more than other restaurant staff, as is the case with waiters.
In short, as you have seen the figure of the sommelier It is very important in the world of hospitality. When it comes to dedicating yourself to this beautiful profession, it is important to indicate that you must be a person with great knowledge about different wines, since they usually advise different restaurant clients. The sommelier's training is continuous since he has to be up to date with everything that surrounds the world of wine. Apart from this, it is good to remember that to be a good sommelier, you must be a person who feels a great passion for wines.