How to Become a Director of Wine

The director of wine at a restaurant, also called a sommelier, is the person who chooses wines for the menu. Usually, large or upscale restaurants that maintain large wine lists have full-time wine directors. Smaller places to dine may employ maitre d's who perform some of the duties of a sommelier, or vice versa. To become a director of wine, a person must have a keen sense of taste and smell, as well as an excellent mind for details.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• History of wine books
• Different wines to taste
• Journal
• Restaurant work experience
• Formal wine training courses

1. Develop your hobby for wine by reading about it. The study of wine making (called viniculture), vineyard management (called viticulture) and the history of wine are subjects with which you can start. Learn about all of the different wine regions of the world and what types of wine come from each region.

2. Try different kinds of wines in order to develop your ability to taste certain flavors. Read wine reviews in the food section of your newspaper or in fine dining magazines. Try to identify the "smoky," "peppery" or "full bodied" elements the critics write about.

3. Take notes on the wines you taste. Write down what you liked or did not like about them and what food would be good accompaniments for each. A sommelier needs to be able to recommend wines to diners based on what they are ordering for their meals.

4. Become a part of the food industry by working in a restaurant. Take a job as a waiter, bartender, maitre d' or even a cook if you have the required skills. This is one of the best ways to learn about the field you want to work in and it can help you become a director of wine.

5. Enroll in formal courses to become a sommelier. The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is an organization that was formed to give students a high-level education in the area of wine. Courses of study as well as job listings are posted on the website (see Resources below).

6. Sit for exams that are required before you can officially be called a sommelier. This usually entails a written portion about the history of wine and a practical portion where you taste and identify a variety of wines.

7. Apply for available director of wine positions after becoming certified or receiving your degree.

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