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Getting to Know Your Sommelier

Steering your way through wine selection at a restaurant.

by Mike Supple
published: 03 Mar 2010       | Comments

Although commonly referred to as "wine steward," "wine waiter," or "that guy who does the wine stuff," the snobby-sounding French word many people are familiar with but don't quite remember how to pronounce is sommelier. And it's pronounced "sahm-el-YAY." Aside from opening the bottle, pouring it around the table and expecting a tip for exemplary service, the duties of a sommelier are varied and can be quite demanding.

The role of a sommelier is quite specialized and requires a vast knowledge of wine, food and wine pairing, wine service, beer, alcohol and tobacco. While it is often the sommelier's duty to assist in creating the wine list for the restaurant based upon the owner's preferred style and budget, what matters most immediately to a consumer is the sommelier's ability to help select wines.

Sommeliers should be able to make suitable suggestions for patrons based on the patron's food choices, wine preferences and budgetary constraints. In a good restaurant with a massive wine list, this person can be of immeasurable help. It's the sommelier's job to know his or her wine list and how it all works with the chef's dishes, so don't be afraid to ask for help. A bad sommelier will just point out expensive bottles, but a good one can help turn a great meal into a truly memorable evening. A great sommelier is there to help you enjoy yourself and make the most of your time in the restaurant, so take full advantage!

Though sommeliers are generally a helpful resource, many people don't realize that the title of "sommelier" can be claimed by anyone regardless of education or certification. There is no course requirement or base level of knowledge that all sommeliers must have. Not surprisingly, this means the amount of help you receive from a somm at a particular restaurant could be woefully different from what you experience elsewhere. The only way to figure out whether a sommelier will be useful is to ask for help - and take all advice with a grain of salt. The woman at the local restaurant known for amazing food, great wine and good atmosphere who calls herself a sommelier probably has great knowledge and experience. The guy at your local bar who hand-writes "somelyay" on his business card...not so much.

One last important side note: the title Master Sommelier is one of the most prestigious titles in the wine industry, and is awarded to individuals who are accepted into, and complete the qualifications of, the Court of Master Sommeliers, established in 1977. The course and examinations for the Master Sommelier diploma is quite rigorous. According to the Court of Master Sommeliers, as of today there are only 168 people in the world who have received the title Master Sommelier.