Sommelier/Wine Waiter

Sommeliers/wine waiters manage the wine service in licensed premises. Apart from wine, they may be experts in other alcoholic beverages such as spirits or in other products like bottled waters and cigars.

Their responsibilities could include:

• designing a wine list or cocktail menu
• selecting wines and beverages and 'pairing' them to the food menu
• attending tastings
• advising customers on the best choice of wine for their meal
• serving beverages at the correct temperature and in the correct manner
• achieving high standards of customer service.

Sommeliers/wine waiters usually work irregular hours and normally work a shift system, including evenings and weekends. They may have to work until the early hours of the morning. Busy restaurants and bars can be hot, crowded and noisy. Staff spend a lot of time on their feet. They may be expected to wear a uniform and must have high standards of hygiene.

Salaries may range from around £13,000 to over £45,000 a year.

Sommeliers/wine waiters need to have:

• a passion for wine
• a good palate
• an ability to relate to people from all over the world
• a willingness to work as part of a team
• a thorough knowledge of world wines and other beverages
• an interest in food as well as wine.

Sommeliers/wine waiters can find work in restaurants, clubs, wine bars, hotels and contract catering companies throughout the UK and abroad. Opportunities are increasing.

No academic qualifications are required to become a wine waiter, but most successful applicants have previous experience in a bar or restaurant and a developing knowledge of wine. Anyone serving alcohol needs to be over 18 years old. Some employers ask for qualifications in wine knowledge, most commonly those offered by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). The Diploma in hospitality (available from September 2009) may be relevant for this area of work. Apprenticeships in hospitality and catering may also be available.

Training is often carried out on the job, with junior sommeliers learning the trade from more experienced staff. They may study for qualifications with professional organisations including WSET, BIIAB, Institute of Hospitality, the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Institute of Masters of Wine. There are also NVQs in food and drink service and a variety of other qualifications.

Sommeliers/wine waiters may progress to higher managerial roles in hotels, bars and restaurants, become a wine taster or manager for a wine importer or manufacturer, or start their own business in the wine trade.

Further details