How to Be Assistant Sommelier - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 4, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The effect that a sommelier can have on a restaurants success is undeniable. A sommeliers extensive knowledge of wines, their pairings with food, and their service skills can help create a memorable dining experience for customers. This, in turn, can lead to increased sales, improved customer loyalty, and higher levels of satisfaction.

having an assistant sommelier on board can enhance the restaurants overall quality, as they can help to further develop the menu and guide customers to the perfect wine selection. Furthermore, a well-trained assistant sommelier can contribute to a more efficient and smoother-running operation, allowing the restaurant to provide better service and improve its bottom line.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. The first step towards becoming an assistant sommelier is to have a high school diploma or GED.
Become Certified in Wine. A sommelier certification is not required to become an assistant sommelier. However, having a certification in wine will be beneficial for the job. It will help demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field.
Gain Experience in the Hospitality Industry. A key aspect of becoming an assistant sommelier is having experience in the hospitality industry, particularly in the restaurant or bar setting. Working as a server, bartender, or wine steward is a great way to gain experience and learn the ins and outs of the industry.
Join Professional Organizations. Becoming a member of professional organizations such as the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Society of Wine Educators is a great way to stay up-to-date with industry trends, network with other professionals, and gain additional knowledge and skills.
Get a Job as an Assistant Sommelier. Once you have gained experience and knowledge of the wine industry, you can start applying for job openings as an assistant sommelier. Typically, you will be responsible for helping the lead sommelier manage wine orders, pairing wines with food dishes, and providing customers with knowledge about different wines.

In order to become a skilled and efficient sommelier, dedication and hard work are essential. One must study diligently to understand the fundamentals of wine, such as different grape varieties, regions, styles, and flavors. Further education in wine pairing, food and beverage management, and customer service is also required.

With a deep knowledge of the history and production of different types of wines, a sommelier is able to recommend the perfect bottle to each customer. a sommelier must possess a great deal of patience, poise, and hospitality in order to provide an exemplary service experience for guests. Without these qualities, the sommelier cannot succeed in their role and will not be able to properly represent the restaurant or winery they serve.

By dedicating time and effort to their craft, a sommelier can achieve success and become a skilled and efficient professional in their field.

You may want to check Food & Wine Sommelier, Food & Beverage Sommelier, and Corporate Sommelier for alternative.

Job Description

Analyze customer preferences to recommend wines and other alcoholic beverages.
Assist customers in selecting wines, beers, and other alcoholic beverages.
Hold wine tastings and educational seminars.
Educate restaurant staff on wine and beverage selection and pairings.
Assist in creating wine lists and updating them regularly.
Build relationships with wineries and other suppliers to secure the best products and prices.
Maintain inventory of wines and other alcoholic beverages.
Maintain wine cellar, including temperature, humidity, and other conditions.
Develop creative promotions and special events related to wine and other alcoholic beverages.
Track customer orders and manage inventory levels.
Monitor sales trends and recommend changes to the wine list.
Prepare reports for management on sales and inventory levels.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the wines and spirits of different regions and countries.
Ability to recommend appropriate pairings for food and drink.
Skill in opening, serving and decanting wines.
Expertise in selecting, storing and serving wines.
Knowledge of the history, culture and production methods of various wines and spirits.
Ability to accurately describe the flavor, aroma and characteristics of different wines.
Knowledge of proper wine storage techniques and etiquette.
Ability to work with customers to determine their tastes and preferences.
Excellent communication, customer service and organizational skills.
Ability to keep up with the latest industry trends, news and developments.

Having a strong knowledge of wine is essential for an Assistant Sommelier. This includes understanding the different styles, types, and tastes of wines, as well as having an in-depth knowledge of the various winemaking processes. an Assistant Sommelier must have a strong grasp of wine pairing, which involves selecting the right wines to complement food courses.

This requires creativity, as well as an understanding of how flavors interact and how different foods can bring out certain elements of the wine. Furthermore, an Assistant Sommelier must also have excellent communication and customer service skills, as they will be responsible for interacting with guests and providing them with advice on their wine selection. Finally, an Assistant Sommelier must have a keen eye for detail in order to accurately pair wines with a variety of dishes, as well as to ensure that the wines are stored and served correctly.

All of these skills are essential for the successful performance of an Assistant Sommelier.

Wine & Spirits Sommelier, Education Sommelier, and Head Sommelier are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the wine industry?
What is your approach to pairing food and wine?
How do you handle a customer with a difficult request?
What do you think sets you apart from other Assistant Sommeliers?
How do you stay up to date on wine trends and education?
Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond to please a customer.
What experience do you have in the hospitality industry?
How do you handle difficult customers and situations?
Describe a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem in a wine service situation.
What challenges have you faced in your previous roles as an Assistant Sommelier, and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Wine Spectator Magazine. A monthly magazine dedicated to the art of wine and food pairing, featuring reviews and ratings of different wines. (eg: Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
Wine Tasting Notebook. A notebook for recording tasting notes and scores for wines. (eg: Wine Folly Tasting Notebook)
Wine Labels. Labels affixed to bottles of wine indicating the grape variety and other important information about the wine. (eg: Vinium Label)
Wine Courses. Courses designed to teach the fundamentals of wine tasting and appreciation. (eg: WSET Level 1 Award in Wines)
Wine Apps. Applications for smartphones and tablets with useful information about wines and food pairings, as well as cellar management tools. (eg: Vivino App)
Wine Preservation Systems. Devices that use a combination of temperature and pressure to preserve opened bottles of wine. (eg: Coravin System)
Corkscrews. Devices used to remove corks from wine bottles. (eg: Rabbit Corkscrew)

Professional Organizations to Know

Court of Master Sommeliers
International Sommelier Guild
Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
National Association of Professional Sommeliers
American Sommelier Association
SommCon
The Guild of Sommeliers
Society of Wine Educators
French Wine Society
European Court of Master Sommeliers

We also have Beverage Sommelier, Bar Sommelier, and Restaurant Sommelier jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Wine Spectator. A magazine that reviews wines and also provides ratings and recommendations.
Wine List. A list of wines available at a restaurant, bar, or other establishment.
Wine Label. The label on a bottle of wine that includes the name of the producer and information about the wine.
Wine Region. A geographic area where specific types of wine are produced.
Vintage. The year in which the grapes for a particular wine were harvested.
Varietal. A type of grape used to make a particular type of wine.
Appellation. A region or area that has certain rules and regulations pertaining to the production of specific types of wine.
Terroir. A term referring to the combination of factors such as soil, climate, and location that influence the character of a wine.
Decanting. The process of pouring a bottle of wine into another vessel in order to aerate it or remove sediment.
Blind Tasting. A tasting in which the taster does not know the identity of the wines being sampled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Assistant Sommelier?

An Assistant Sommelier is a professional who assists a Sommelier in providing wine service and advice to customers.

What qualifications must an Assistant Sommelier have?

To become an Assistant Sommelier, one must have a Level 2 Award in Wine Service from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), or equivalent qualification.

What duties does an Assistant Sommelier typically perform?

An Assistant Sommelier is responsible for helping to create wine lists, advising customers on food and wine pairings, and providing first-class service to guests.