The Steps to Become a Sommelier

Want to put a diploma to that love of wine you have? Delve into these steps to become a sommelier, and let your dreams of tasting wine for a living come true!

Are you a true wine-lover? Not just because of the taste, but because of the composition, the history, the depth and power of wine—are you an absolute oenophile? If your answer is yes, then maybe it’s time to look into the steps to become a sommelier. Whether you want to become a professional wine taster, drinker, and educator or just want to expand your overall knowledge, then this may be just what you need.

Before you purchase your courses, make sure you understand what it takes. Read on to find out in our quick guide.

Educate Yourself

Your first step to becoming a sommelier has to do with what exactly you want to do. If you just want to sip on wine, then you may need to reevaluate your decision to become a sommelier. Do some research on everything that goes into wine—its creation, its history, its variations. Our blog is even a great place to start, providing you with insight to spur you further into your education.

But of course, the hands-on approach is also essential for success. Working in tandem with your research, make sure you’re tasting these wines yourself to fully comprehend them. Our at-home wine tasting set is a fantastic place to begin!

Figure Out the Right Program

If you just search “sommelier training and certification” on the Internet, you’ll be greeted by thousands of results. So how do you choose the right program? The truth is, most programs will get you to the title you’re looking for, but their processes can differ quite drastically. Some courses break down classes into different wine areas: enology, food pairings, viticulture, popular regions. Other classes will be more intensive, where you spend around 12 weeks covering over 100 wines and their wine regions.

Whichever course you decide is right for you will still earn you your sommelier title, as long as it’s through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

The Court of Master Sommeliers

The Court of Master Sommeliers “sets the global standard of excellence for beverage service… with integrity, exemplary knowledge, and humility.” They break down their tests so that you can choose the one that best matches what you’re looking for:

  • Introductory
  • Certified
  • Advanced
  • Master

If you’re striving for the Master level, just keep in mind that only 269 professionals in the world have received this title. It’s something to strive for!

Get into the Industry

Once you’ve received your certification, it’s time to decide your next steps. Do you just want to hold onto this knowledge for yourself? Or are you hoping to break into the restaurant and hospitality industry? If the latter is the case, start small—find a job at a restaurant and build your way up.

How do you build your profile? Network! Mentors will help you grow and provide you with different career opportunities. Go on wine trips with these peers, meet other winemakers, and try your best to fully absorb the wonderful world of wine. It’s magnificent!

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