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Social ServiceISCO 5131

Sommelier

A sommelier is a person who selects, stores, recommends and serves wine and other alcoholic drinks in a restaurant.

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Check yourself in a minute: sommelier

Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

select glassware for serving

order supplies

organise wine cellar

upsell products

check wine quality

About sommelier

The sommelier answers for the wine list. Wines are acquired from suppliers and producers, the list is assembled around the kitchen of a particular house, and the wine cellar is managed: temperature, humidity, how bottles lie, and the rotation of stock.

At the table, the sommelier recommends a wine for the dish ordered, says as much about it as a guest wants to hear, and then serves it: opening the bottle, checking the cork and the aroma, decanting or pouring off where a wine needs it, and choosing the glass for the wine served. The characteristics of wine are known — grape, vintage, region, acidity, tannin, residual sugar — and can be described to a guest.

The sommelier also increases sales by proposing wines that suit the dishes ordered. Other service staff are trained in wine knowledge, and food safety and alcohol licensing rules are observed. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a sommelier.

1

Wine List Curation and Management

  • Compile and maintain wine lists featuring diverse regions, styles, and price points
  • Select wines that complement the restaurant's cuisine and align with business objectives
  • Research and evaluate new wines from producers and distributors
2

Wine Cellar Organization

  • Organize wine storage by region, variety, and vintage ensuring proper temperature and humidity
  • Manage wine inventory and maintain stock levels of key selections
  • Order supplies and coordinate deliveries with wine distributors
3

Guest Service and Recommendations

  • Engage with guests to understand their preferences and suggest appropriate wine selections
  • Recommend wine and food pairings that enhance the dining experience
  • Check wine quality before service and decant wines when appropriate
  • Serve wines using proper techniques including opening, pouring, and temperature management
4

Staff Training and Education

  • Train restaurant and bar staff on wine characteristics, service protocols, and food pairings
  • Educate guests about wine regions, production methods, and tasting notes
5

Inventory and Sales Management

  • Monitor inventory levels and identify slow-moving or obsolete stock
  • Upsell premium wines and special selections to increase revenue
  • Track sales data and analyze wine preferences to optimize list selection

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

wine characteristicswine characteristicsThe origins and characteristics of international wines.sparkling winessparkling winesThe varieties of sparkling wines and their match with food products.select glassware for servingselect glassware for servingChoose appropriate glassware for beverages and inspect glass quality and cleanliness.comply with food safety and hygienecomply with food safety and hygieneRespect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.organise wine cellarorganise wine cellarSystematise the wine cellar to ensure an appropriate amount and variation of wine and carry-out efficient and effective stock rotation.upsell productsupsell productsPersuade customers to buy additional or more expensive products.check wine qualitycheck wine qualityControl the quality of wines and report corked or spoiled wines and return them to suppliers.serve winesserve winesProvide 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.maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep 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 requ...recommend winesrecommend winesOffer recommendations to customers on available wines and advise combinations of wines with specific dishes on the menu.decant winesdecant winesIdentify 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, typi...compile wine listscompile wine listsCreate and update wine lists ensuring it complements the food menu and brand characteristics.prepare alcoholic beveragesprepare alcoholic beveragesMake and serve alcoholic beverages according to the customer's wants.train employeestrain employeesLead 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 perform...
Optional (1) — show
apply foreign languages in hospitalityapply foreign languages in hospitalityUse the mastery of foreign languages orally or written in the hospitality sector in order to communicate with colleagues, customers or guests.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

head sommelier14 shared essential skillsquick service restaurant team leader4 shared essential skillsrestaurant manager4 shared essential skillsvenue director4 shared essential skillswaiter/waitress4 shared essential skillsbarista3 shared essential skillsbartender3 shared essential skillscocktail bartender3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a sommelier do?

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

What skills does a sommelier need?

A sommelier needs 15 essential skills, including wine characteristics, sparkling wines, select glassware for serving, comply with food safety and hygiene, order supplies.

Will AI replace sommelier jobs?

The AI disruption score for sommelier is 37/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: order supplies, upsell products, maintain customer service. Most resilient: decant wines, comply with food safety and hygiene, sparkling wines.

AI Replacement Risk

37/ 100
Moderate Risk
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Quick Facts

SectorSocial Service
ISCO GroupPersonal service workers
Essential Skills15

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