Sommelier

Description

A sommelier may be responsible for the development of wine lists, and books and for the delivery of wine service and training for the other restaurant staff. Working along with the culinary team, they pair and suggest wines that will best complement each particular food menu item. This entails the need for a deep knowledge of how food and wine, beer, spirits and other beverages work in harmony. A professional sommelier also works on the floor of the restaurant and is in direct contact with restaurant patrons. The sommelier has a responsibility to work within the taste preference and budget parameters of the patron.

In modern times, a sommelier's role may be considered broader than working only with wines, and may encompass all aspects of the restaurant's service, with an enhanced focus on wines, beers, spirits, soft-drinks, cocktails, mineral waters, and tobaccos.

Etymology

The modern word is French, deriving from Middle French where it referred to a court official charged with transportation of supplies. This use of the term dates to a period when pack animals would be used to transport supplies. The Middle French probably finds its origin in Old Provençal where a saumalier was a pack animal driver. Sauma referred to a pack animal or the load of a pack animal. In Late Latin, sagma referred to a packsaddle.

Education and certification

Though 'sommelier' is a job title potentially anyone may claim, becoming a professional certified sommelier often requires some combination of experience, training, formal education (a bachelor's degree is not required, but individuals may do a two-year associate degree), classes and examinations. One can become a sommelier only through experience in the restaurant or wine industry as a qualification, though many choose to become certified or educated by one of the many certifying bodies. The certification is offered by a wide range of educators: though a basic education may be attained for US$800–$3,750 over the course of six months, advanced professional certification requires years of costly study, practice and experience.

Union de la Sommellerie Française

In France, the Union des Sommeliers (UDS) was founded in 1907 to ensure social protection for its members, both sommeliers and cellar masters in Paris region. The approach and role of the association developed throughout the years as it lost its autonomy by merging with the Mutualité Hôtelière in 1959. Ten years later, sommeliers regained their independence as the Association des Sommeliers de Paris (ASP) was founded in 1969. In the same year the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) was created and federated other organisations in the world and in 1970 the old UDS was renamed in Union de la Sommellerie Française, UDSF, which supervises today the 21 regional associations in France (including ASP). The title of Mention Complémentaire Sommellerie (MCS) and Brevet Professionnel de Sommelier (BP) can be achieved studying for many different approved providers and the final qualification of Maître Sommelier (Master Sommelier) can be achieved after an accurate career assessment, requiring at least 10 years of professional experience.

Associazione Italiana Sommelier

In Italy, the Italian Sommelier Association, 'AIS', being founded on July 7, 1965, is one of the oldest sommelier associations of the world. It is officially recognised and legally acknowledged by the Italian government. Italian Sommelier Association is part and founding member of the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA), which is officially recognized throughout the world. It is actually the largest sommelier association ever featuring over 33,000 members only in Italy, featuring either high curriculum level and high quality service standards. AIS / WSA is worldwide famous for its technical tasting approach and methodology, patented food & wine pairing technique, publications, service standards and three-levels course structure which leads to the Certified Sommelier qualification. A Professional Sommelier qualification and diploma is issued by AIS after candidate's career assessment for those sommeliers actually working in a food and beverage establishment.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, often referred to as 'WSET', is a British organisation which arranges courses and exams in the field of wine and spirits. It was founded in 1969, is headquartered in London and is generally regarded as one of the world's leading providers of wine education. WSET courses and qualifications are offered in compliance to the new UK Qualifications and Credit Framework, from level 1 to level 3; they also offer a level 4 diploma in wine and spirits and WSET Certified Educator qualifications. Although WSET does not market itself as a sommelier certification and education body, many sommeliers have some of these qualifications. In 2012 WSET launched a level 1 award in wine service, as an introduction to the sommellerie.

The Court of Master Sommeliers

The Court of Master Sommeliers, (CMS) established in 1977, is an independent examining body that offers the 'Master Sommelier Diploma', the 'Advanced Sommelier Certificate', the 'Certified Sommelier Certificate', and the 'Introductory Sommelier Certificate'; and was created under the supervision of the following British based institutions: the Vintners Company, the Institute of Masters of Wine, the British Hotels & Restaurants Association, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association of Great Britain and the Wholesale Tobacco Trade Association. Since the Master Sommelier Diploma was introduced in 1969, 230 people from around the world had become Master Sommeliers by the end of 2015. The Court also offers intermediate levels of education including the annual "Advanced Sommelier Course", which prepares invited candidates to sit for the Advanced Exam, generally offered 2–3 times per year. Taking the Advanced Course and passing the Advanced Exam are mandatory before sitting for the Masters Exam.

Cape Wine Academy

Founded in 1979 in South Africa, the 'Cape Wine Academy' introduced the Cape Sommelier programme, leading to certification as a Cape Wine Master. This was in response to a huge demand, and support from the hospitality industry, for a suitable professional qualification, and to ensure that South Africa's service levels compete globally.

International Sommelier Guild

The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) is another organization that educates and certifies sommeliers in Canada, China and the United States. It was founded in 1982 and the programme consists of Level 1 Wine Fundamentals, Level 2 Wine Fundamentals and a Sommelier Diploma. They also offer a 'Certified Sommelier Instructor' diploma.

International Wine & Spirits Guild

The International Wine Guild (IWSG), founded in 1998 is an organization approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Educational School Board. The independent school offers the Level IV 'Guild Master Wine Educator Diploma', the Level III 'Guild Wine Master Diploma and Certification', the Level II 'Advanced Wine Course and Executive Sommelier Certification' and the Level I 'Introductory Wine Sommelier Certification'. The International Wine & Spirits Guild was established to encourage study to develop technical and professional understanding and increased knowledge of wine throughout all areas of the wine, spirits and food service industry. IWSG also offers professional courses and certifications for Wine Judges, Wine Instructors, and in Fine Spirits and Sake.

North American Sommelier Association

More recently, the North American Sommelier Association is another organization that provides Sommelier Certification. "NASA", as it is sympathetically referred to, was founded in 2006 and is the official representative in the United States and Canada of the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA). NASA's Certified Sommelier course is divided into 3 phases but is offered as 1 entire course and includes extensive class time, lectures, educational visits to wineries and educational dinners. Differently from others, the North American Sommelier Association possesses only 2 tiers of Sommelier qualification : Silver-Pin & Gold-Pin, whereas the Gold-Pin certification is obtained through a series of extensive requirements and certifications (Master Wine Taster, Master Of Service...) as well as proof of experience in the industry. Aside from the Sommelier Certification, the North American Sommelier Association also provides various smaller proprietary specialization courses like the 'Italian Wine Specialist', 'American Wine Specialist', 'Spanish Wine Specialist' and various master-classes such as 'Master Of Terroir', 'Master of Sangiovese', 'Master of Service' and 'Master Wine Taster'.

National Wine School

The National Wine School was founded in 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The school offers ANSI-compliant professional certification for the wine trade in the United States. They offer five levels of wine certification. To earn a sommelier pin, one must complete level three certification. To earn the advanced sommelier pin, the student must complete the level four certification.

Other types of sommelier

The terms beer sommelier, water sommelier, and sake sommelier are sometimes used for beer, water, and sake, respectively.