Sommelier

A sommelier with a tastevin around his neck.

The sommelier knife is an important tool of the sommelier.

A sommelier (English pronunciation: /ˈsɒməljeɪ, sʌməlˈjeɪ/, French pronunciation: [sɔməlje]), or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching. The role is more specialized and informed than that of a wine waiter.

Description

The principal work of a sommelier is in the areas of wine procurement, wine storage, wine cellar rotation, and expert service to wine customers.^[1]

A sommelier may also be responsible for the development of wine lists,^[1] 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 necessity 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.

The tastevin vessel associated with sommeliers in the past.

Etymology

The modern word is French. It derives from Middle French where it referred to a court official charged with transportation of supplies.^[2] 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.^[2] Sauma referred to a pack animal or the load of a pack animal. In Late Latin, sagma referred to a packsaddle.^[2]

Education and certification

Though sommelier is a job title potentially anyone may claim, becoming a certified sommelier requires classes and an examination.^[3] The certification is offered by a wide range of educators, and a basic education may be attained for US$800–3,750 over the course of six months.^[3]

The Court of Master Sommeliers, established in 1977, is the examining body for 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 Vintners Company, The Institute of Masters of Wine, The British Hotels & Restaurants Association, The Wine & Spirit Association of Great Britain and The Wholesale Tobacco Trade Association.^[4]

Since the Master Sommelier Diploma was introduced in 1969, 180 people from around the world had become Master Sommeliers by 2011. ^[5]

The Court also offers an intermediate level of Education titled "Advanced Sommelier Course" which invites carefully selected candidates to sit and be both tested and educated in the rigors of the Master Sommelier program. The course is generally offered 2-3 times per year and acceptance is highly controlled. Often candidates will apply for 3–4 years before being offered a position. The course is extreme in its preparation and testing for potential Masters Candidates. The Guild of Sommeliers is a nonprofit membership organization, created by a group of Master Sommeliers, to support the development of the trade.^{[citation needed]}

Master Sake Sommelier

Like Master Sommelier for wines, Beau Timken, owner of True Sake, is USA's most renowned Master Sake Sommelier. ^[6]

See also

• Beer sommelier
• Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
• Maître d'
• Master of Wine
• Wine accessory

References

1. ^ ^{a b} winepros.com.au. The Oxford Companion to Wine. "sommelier". http://www.winepros.com.au/jsp/cda/reference/oxford_entry.jsp?entry_id=3001. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "sommelier". The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sommelier. Retrieved 2009-02-27. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Lane, Randall, Slate (July 18, 2002). "Alcohol Testing: Can a regular guy pass the sommelier SATs?". http://www.slate.com/id/2068096/. 
4. ^ Robinson, Jancis, jancisrobinson.com (June 29, 2005). "Master Sommeliers - who are they?". http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/winenews050629.html. 
5. ^ {cite web | title = THE WORLD’S MOST DISTINGUISHED WINE EXPERTS ADD TO THEIR RANKS |url=http://www.mastersommeliers.org/Pages.aspx/Press/The-World-s-Most-Distinguished-Wine-Experts-Add-To-Their-Ranks }}
6. ^ History of Sake : Misconceptions About Sake

External links

• Court of Master Sommeliers American chapter official site
• Guild of Sommeliers American chapter official site
• Court of Master Sommeliers British chapter official site
• International Sommelier Guild official site
• International Wine Guild official site