A sommelier is a professionally trained wine expert. The sommelier usually works in a restaurant, and is responsible for buying and storing wine appropriately, working with the owner and chef to create and maintain a wine list and pair wine and food, assist in educating and training the rest of the staff about wine, serving wine, and pairing food and wine. Wine is an important item at restaurants because it enhances food, and because it can be purchased wholesale and thus is an important profit generator. Consequently, not only must the sommelier keep up to date on current vintages and new wines, the sommelier needs to make sure that the rest of the staff are informed, particularly in terms of the restaurant's own wine list and menu.

In order to consider a career as a sommelier, you need to first have a deep appreciation and interest in wine, as well as in food. It helps if you have a background in hospitality or food service, especially a position in the front of the restaurant, perhaps as a host or food server. The sommelier also deals directly with the dining public, helping them to understand their wine choices and provide tactfully provide diners with suggestions regarding selecting a wine that pairs with their meal and their budget.

A prospective sommelier should have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, and a four-year undergraduate degree isn't a bad idea. You need to know that you like wine, and are interested in learning a great deal more about it, including its history, how it's made, kinds of wine and grapes, wine regions and wine and food pairing. You might start by taking a few classes at your community college or through an extension program about wine and wine tasting. You might consider working in a restaurant for a while, especially in the front of the house, while you educate yourself about wine and possibly start the process of certification and exams.

There are credentialed programs that offer introductory classes, certificates, and exams, all the way up to the ultimate education for a sommelier, the certification as a Master Sommelier (there are currently only 300 or so certified Master Sommeliers in the world) determined by the Court of Master Sommeliers. The two primary organizations that certify and train sommeliers are the Court of Master Sommeliers in the United States (there' a UK Court of Master Sommeliers as well), and in England, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust(WSET), a London-based organization. Both organizations offer courses and certificates in the U.S. There are several organizations that offer sommelier classes and training but not all programs are considered equal. The International Culinary Institute (http://www.internationalculinarycenter.com/landings/wine/) offers wine education programs accredited by the Court of Master Sommeliers. The Napa valley campus of the Culinary Institute of America offers an Accelerated Wine and Beverage Certificate Program. Your particular needs and plans will determine what school and training works best for you.

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