The importance of the sommelier

Suddenly sommeliers appeared everywhere and became wine stars. The truth is that it is a very old profession that became fashionable at the same time as there was a boom in wines around the world. And although in Europe they always existed in the most traditional and elegant restaurants, today the sommelier already has his place in various gastronomic establishments, in addition to working in wine bars, distributors and wineries. Its original function was to bring wine to the king. Today, in addition to taking it from the cellar to the table, you must manage your purchase and make a selection taking into account the chef’s proposal. In turn, you should recommend to diners without showing off your knowledge, since you should never make the guest feel uncomfortable. Now, if the sommelier travels, reads, tastes, listens and learns, he will surely shine when it comes to recommending the wine that will best combine with the selected dish, if it is in a restaurant, or the ideal wine for the occasion, if It’s in a wine cellar.

Currently, it is one of the fastest growing new professions in Argentina and, together with the evolution of wine in particular and of the industry in general, it is collaborating with moderate consumption, and thus the culture of wine is reaching everyone’s glass. . The sommelier was little known just twenty years ago in the country, but today the sommelier has transcended the field of restaurants, and works in wineries, being the best promoter of the house wines together with the makers. Because although many want to hear the words of winemakers and agronomists, that is not their main function, and they need a side who knows how to transmit everything they do in order to promote their wines, whether at fairs, exhibitions or private events.

Also in wine bars and distributors, the knowledge of sommeliers is key to advising customers when choosing which labels to wear. Because sometimes it is just a bottle for an everyday occasion, but many others are special occasions that require greater precision in the recommendation. In addition, there are more and more collectors and consumers who have their own cellars at home and invest heavily in each purchase. The success of the sommelier there is in being able to generate a relationship of trust with the client that is consolidated over time, thanks to the success of their recommendations and the clarity of their messages.

A sommelier can also work in companies linked to wine tourism; an area that is in great expansion. Because it can be the best guide in a vineyard or in a winery, or even in a tasting during a tour of various wine establishments. And, of course, sommeliers can also work in the media, since it is ultimately a wine communicator. But no sommelier is born an expert in wines, but is trained, and for this practice is essential, in addition to study. There may be a talent, but more important will be the passion for wine, since it is a long and sacrificed path, like that of any other profession.