So you think you want to be a Master Sommelier? Love a good, strong grape drink, do you? Got a knack for socializing and selling? Have a deep understanding of the globe\u2019s most renowned vineyards and fermented products? Able to activate your spidey-senses to identify wines without looking at a label?<\/p>\n
If you answered \u201cyes\u201d to all of these without hesitation or any stretch of the imagination, maybe you do<\/em> have a calling as the ultimate wine connoisseur.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s a big \u201cmaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Despite recent controversy over \u2018easy\u2019 acquisition of a Master Sommelier Diploma<\/a>, officially becoming the guru who takes the guesswork out of what goes great with certain types of food at an upscale restaurant is no cake-walk.<\/p>\n While legal age is certainly a factor for the sommelier role since wine tasting is involved, there are no formal <\/em>requirements in the U.S. to dictate who can and cannot be employed as a sommelier. However! The exquisite world of fine wine places an exponentially high value on credentials. So without proper training, test-taking, and title acquisition, even the sharpest wine-tasting skill set and library of knowledge holds little water.<\/p>\n Sommelier certification is a venture that takes years<\/em> to achieve. And these years involve copious amounts of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, as well as several examinations requiring diligent study, practical application, and skillful demonstration in order to climb through the sommelier levels and join the ranks of the Masters.<\/p>\n (Master Sommeliers<\/em>, that is \u2014 not to be confused with Masters of Wine<\/em><\/a>, who are typically non-restaurant industry professionals like writers, winemakers, or hobbyists\/enthusiasts who have been awarded a more theoretically-focused vino achievement.)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If you want to take your love of wine and your front-of-house experience in the food and beverage industry to the next level (literally), there are some prestigious hoops to jump through. Four, to be exact (and yes, these progressive hoops are actually called \u201clevels\u201d); each one a tighter squeeze than its predecessor.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t believe it? Here are four reasons why you should, straight from the supreme wine source, The Court of Master Sommeliers<\/a>:<\/p>\n Clearly, that\u2019s some pretty stiff competition. But if you train tough, study hard, and know your stuff, you can be one of the wine world\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n Here is a brief summary of what is expected at each level of sommelier achievement.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, the world of wine revolves around credentials, credentials, credentials. And with such a small percentage of earth-dwellers holding a unique and prestigious claim to vino fame, it\u2019s no surprise that you\u2019ll stand out from the crowd, should you pursue this path.<\/p>\n And it just might pay off. Might.<\/em> (Eventually.)<\/p>\n A starting sommelier salary is typically about $28K, according to Forbes and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, with a median salary reaching around $48K. Top-ranking Master Sommeliers have been known to earn upwards of $80K.<\/p>\n But keep in mind, going into this industry is more about investing in a passion, than it is about the pay.<\/p>\n If you want to dive in to some wine work, a great place to start is The Guild of Sommeliers<\/a>, a non-profit organization and educational foundation. Not only is the Guild a great resource for job-hunters, but it also offers the advantage of a wealth of classes and connections, so that you can remain aware of industry trends, gain further experience, and increase your professional network \u2014 no matter what level of wine connoisseur you may be!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And with that, why not end with a little light-hearted wine humor\u2026<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cJust want to get your feet wet with some wine tasting or private wine education sessions? Virgin Gifts offers a variety of <\/em>Food and Wine Experiences<\/em><\/a> throughout the U.S. \u2014 perfect to give as a gift or to satisfy your own curiosities.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Information utilized in this post is credited to:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (& Kathleen Green)What does it take to become a Master Sommelier?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sommelier Levels I-IV: Can You Hack It?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Sommelier Level I: Introductory Sommelier<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Sommelier Level II: Certified Sommelier<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sommelier Level III: Advanced Sommelier<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Sommelier Level IV: Master Sommelier Diploma<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Sommelier Salary & Wine Education <\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nThe Court of Master Sommeliers
\nThe Washington Post (& Dave McIntyre)
\nThe Guild of Sommeliers<\/p>\n