What Exactly Does A Sommelier Do?
A Sommelier is an expert in wine, assigned to the selection and service of wines with their main competence revolving around wine tasting. He/she is able to carry out an organoleptic analysis of the wine, knowing how to evaluate type, chromatic tones, qualities, olfactory characteristics and state of conservation.
The skills required are quite complex, including the knowledge of wine pairings with food, the presentation and service of wine as well as management expertise for the maintenance of a winery.
The sommelier knows how to design food that matches the wine and is responsible for the design and production of the wine list.
He/she must be able to describe the characteristics of a wine both with technical lexicon and with accessible language, in order to entice any customers to taste the wine. The objectives of a sommelier include the enhancement of the wine service at a table, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction and sales of the proposed wine/s.
The duties of a sommelier include:
- Drawing up a local wine list
- Selecting and buying wines
- Organizing the wine cellar and ensuring it is always well stocked
- Taking orders for wines and other drinks
- Advising customers on the perfect wine to pair with a particular dish
- Carrying out technical tastings for guests
- Monitoring the offerings of the wines from the point of view of customer satisfaction, and making necessary changes
- Continuously checking and analyzing the level of wines offered and the quality of the cellar
- Daily cellar maintenance (Inclusive of cleanliness and inventory)
A sommelier must be able to taste and give a detailed description of the wine in an engaging way and find an interesting method of instructing the patrons on how to taste the wine.
On the other hand, the management of the cellar of a restaurant or a local cellar requires precise management skills: A sommelier must know how to evaluate such needs, foresee a budget, prepare an economic plan for the purchase of wines, evaluate and select suppliers, negotiate order purchases and propose any required changes.
All of these skills, however, are not very useful without constant wine tasting practice, which means that professional sommeliers need to constantly seek out wineries, cellars and new brands to expand their knowledge and to test their skills.
Obviously in case of any doubts it is better to have a good wine with you instead of a good sommelier.
