Profession sommelier

Sommeliers stock, prepare, advise on and serve wine and other alcoholic beverages.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Wine characteristics

    The origins and characteristics of international wines.

  • Sparkling wines

    The varieties of sparkling wines and their match with food products.

Skills

  • Check wine quality

    Control the quality of wines and report corked or spoiled wines and return them to suppliers.

  • Train employees

    Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

  • Maintain customer service

    Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.

  • Upsell products

    Persuade customers to buy additional or more expensive products.

  • Prepare alcoholic beverages

    Make and serve alcoholic beverages according to the customer's wants.

  • Recommend wines

    Offer recommendations to customers on available wines and advise combinations of wines with specific dishes on the menu.

  • Comply with food safety and hygiene

    Respect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.

  • Serve wines

    Provide wine using proper techniques in front of the customers. Open the bottle correctly, decant the wine if needed, serve and keep the wine in the proper temperature and container.

  • Organise wine cellar

    Systematise the wine cellar to ensure an appropriate amount and variation of wine and carry-out efficient and effective stock rotation.

  • Decant wines

    Identify when wine should be decanted. Decant the bottles in presence of guests in a professional and safe way. Decanting especially benefits red wines. Pour wine from one container into another, typically in order to separate out sediment.

  • Assist customers

    Provide support and advice to customers in making purchasing decisions by finding out their needs, selecting suitable service and products for them and politely answering questions about products and services.

  • Compile wine lists

    Create and update wine lists ensuring it complements the food menu and brand characteristics.

  • Select glassware for serving

    Choose appropriate glassware for beverages and inspect glass quality and cleanliness.

  • Order supplies

    Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.

Optional knowledge and skills

apply foreign languages in hospitality

Source: Sisyphus ODB