What is a Master Sommelier?

A master sommelier is someone who has achieved the top level of recognition as a highly qualified expert in wine and other alcoholic beverages. Some of the top restaurants may require certification as a master sommelier before hiring someone to manage the beverage program, specifically including the wine collection.

How to Become a Master Sommelier

There is training available to learn about wines and how they can enhance a meal before moving on to the next step, which is becoming a master sommelier. The master sommelier organization recommends that anyone trying to pass the test have worked as a sommelier for at least 3 years. In order to qualify to become a master sommelier, an applicant must take an introductory course and pass an exam, then pass a more advance exam. The third of four steps in becoming a master sommelier involves taking and passing an advanced exam. Finally, the last test is passing the master sommelier diploma exam.

Duties of a Master Sommelier

The duties can vary from restaurant to restaurant, with some restaurants taking advantage of a sommelier to explain to customers where the wines come from and which are best with certain meals on the menu. But other restaurants use a sommelier to create and keep a wine collection stocked based on the meals on the menus and the tastes of some of the restaurant's top customers. Here are a range of duties for a master sommelier.

• Manages wine collection. This includes staying on top of trends in the wine and beverage industry and ensuring there are a variety of wines to complement the various items served by the restaurant. The master sommelier must know enough about various regions where wines are grown and sold to be able to stay within a wine budget.
• Trains other employees. While the sommelier is the expert on wines, all waiters and waitresses should be able to speak with some knowledge about the different wines at the restaurant and what wines are the best choices for which dishes.
• Customer contact. When a customer has advanced questions or wants advice, the sommelier should be present to share his or her wine expertise. Similarly, if a customer has a complaint or a problem with a beverage product, that also should fall to the sommelier to handle.
• Wine promotions. The sommelier should be familiar with the business end of managing a restaurant's beverage service program, including promotions such as wine-tasting events.