Tasting and talking about wine every day, isn’t that a dream job? Well, that’s what Sommeliers around Australia do, but their job is more complex and exciting than you think.
Some of the most knowledgeable Sommeliers in the country work up in the Yarra Valley. They work for wineries and restaurants, and you can meet them by taking a Chauffeur Drive, Melbourne, Yarra Valley private winery tour with us. We take care of your accommodation, vehicle transfers, and the wine; see the Yarra Valley with us on your private tour and let’s go to meet the Somms!
What’s a Sommelier, Anyway?
The Sommelier is the person responsible for wine, generally in a restaurant. As part of the front-of-the-house staff, Sommeliers recommend and sell bottles of wine to guests.
In the back, Somms make sure the wine cellar is in order, they keep a tight inventory, and are in charge of creating and modifying the restaurant’s wine list. They are also responsible for training the staff and work with the chef to develop amazing Yarra Valley wine and food pairing experiences.
Sommeliers might also work at wineries or wine stores, and many of them work in education. From a wine steward that’s just getting his toes dipped in the world of wine to an executive Sommelier managing entire beverage programs for resort chains, a Sommelier can play many roles.
How to Become a Sommelier?
To become a sommelier, master three areas.
Service. Somms must be able to command a restaurant floor, recommend, open, and pour bottles of wine to many guests at the same time. Carrying trays with glasses, uncorking difficult bottles, and decanting the wine are some of the skills to master.
Tasting. Perhaps the most romantic part of a Sommelier’s job is tasting. A Somm must assess if a particular wine is in good condition and evaluate its characteristics and quality by smelling and tasting it. It takes practice but everyone can hone their wine tasting skills even more in the Yarra Valley, so come with us and we’ll show you how.
Wine knowledge. The realm of wine is complex. Over 70 countries make the fermented drink, and there are over 2,000 unique wine grapes. A Somm must constantly hit the books to answer his guest’s and peer’s questions promptly. Laws, regulation, winemaking practices, agriculture, everything goes.
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