How to Be Wine Server - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 17, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The increasing demand for wine has had a direct effect on the need for wine servers. As customers become more sophisticated in their tastes, they require more specialized knowledge when it comes to selecting the right wine for their meal. This has created a need for experienced servers who are knowledgeable in wine pairing, flavor profiles, and vintages.

The demand for knowledgeable wine servers has driven up salaries, especially in high-end restaurants, as employers strive to attract and retain the best talent. In addition, the growth in popularity of wine bars, tasting rooms, and other specialized wine venues has created even more opportunities for those looking to break into the wine server field. With more and more people choosing wine as their preferred beverage, the need for knowledgeable servers is only expected to increase in the future.

Steps How to Become

Obtain the appropriate certifications and qualifications. Depending on the state you live in, you may need to have a certification or license to serve alcohol. Check with your local government to determine what qualifications are required.
Get trained. Many bars and restaurants offer training programs for servers who will be responsible for serving alcohol. Take advantage of these programs to learn proper techniques and procedures for serving customers responsibly.
Develop interpersonal skills. A successful wine server must be able to communicate effectively with customers and maintain a professional demeanor.
Learn about different types of wine. Familiarize yourself with various types of wines, including reds, whites, sparkling and fortified wines.
Acquire knowledge about food and wine pairings. Understanding the flavors of different wines and how they complement certain dishes is essential for a successful wine server.
Practice proper service techniques. Practice serving customers responsibly and following all legal regulations regarding the sale and service of alcohol.

If wine servers want to remain updated and capable of serving their customers, they must continually educate themselves on the newest trends and techniques related to wine. They should stay abreast of the latest industry news by reading publications and attending events such as trade shows, tastings, and conferences. Additionally, they should network with other wine professionals to gain insight into the best practices for storing, serving, and pairing different types of wines. Keeping up-to-date on these topics will help ensure that wine servers can provide their customers with the highest quality service.

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Job Description

Wine Steward: Responsible for the care and maintenance of a restaurant or retail store's wine inventory. Duties include stocking shelves, organizing bottles, receiving shipments, creating wine pairings and managing customer orders.
Wine Sommelier: A wine expert who provides advice and recommendations to customers on food and wine pairings, as well as the appropriate temperature, glassware and serving size for various wines.
Wine Server: Responsible for providing a high level of customer service in a restaurant setting, including taking orders, pouring wine, informing guests about different types of wine, and resolving any customer complaints.
Wine Educator: Responsible for teaching classes and seminars on wine-related topics such as its history, types, styles, and food pairings.
Wine Salesperson: Responsible for selling wines to customers in a retail store or restaurant environment. Duties include providing product knowledge and customer service, as well as working collaboratively with other staff members to reach sales goals.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of wine varieties, grape varieties, and wine-making processes.
Ability to present and serve wines correctly and courteously.
Expertise in food and wine pairing.
Familiarity with local and international wines, including their production methods, origin and flavor profiles.
Skilled at recognizing the taste, aroma, color, and texture of different wines.
Knowledge of wine laws and regulations in the area of service.
Ability to provide customers with advice on ordering and pairing wines with food.
Proficient in using point-of-sale systems and other restaurant technologies.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.

The ability to provide excellent customer service is one of the most important skills to have when working as a wine server. Customers want to be treated with respect and to feel valued. By treating customers with respect and providing them with quality service, servers can build strong relationships with customers and establish loyalty.

This loyalty is essential for success in the wine industry because customers will be more likely to return to a business that provides excellent service. Furthermore, servers need to be knowledgeable about wine in order to help customers select the right bottle for their needs. Being knowledgeable also allows servers to make helpful recommendations and share interesting facts about the wine they are serving.

By having good customer service skills, knowledge about wine, and the ability to make helpful recommendations, wine servers can make sure their customers have an enjoyable experience when visiting their establishment.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working as a wine server?
How knowledgeable are you about different types of wines and their characteristics?
How do you ensure that customers receive their orders in a timely manner?
Describe a time when you had to handle a difficult customer in a wine service situation.
What techniques do you use to explain the flavor profile and characteristics of different wines to customers?
How do you stay informed on industry trends and new wines?
What methods do you use to make wine recommendations to customers?
How do you handle an order that is incorrect or unsatisfactory?
What steps do you take to ensure the safety of customers while serving alcohol?
How do you handle situations when additional assistance is needed with wine service?

Common Tools in Industry

Cloud Platforms. These are platforms that provide cloud storage and computing services, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (example: Amazon Web Services).
Data Management Systems. These are software tools used to store and manage data, such as MySQL and MongoDB (example: MySQL).
Virtualization Software. These are tools used to create virtual machines and networks, such as VMware and Oracle VirtualBox (example: Oracle VirtualBox).
Monitoring Tools. These are tools used to monitor server performance and usage, such as Nagios and Cacti (example: Nagios).
Security Software. These are tools used to protect servers from malicious attacks, such as ClamAV and OpenSSH (example: OpenSSH).
Backup Software. These are tools used to create backups of servers, such as Rsync and Bacula (example: Rsync).
Networking Software. These are tools used to configure and manage networks, such as Cisco IOS and Juniper Junos (example: Cisco IOS).

Professional Organizations to Know

Society of Wine Educators
Wine & Spirits Education Trust
Wine Business Institute
Wine & Spirit Education Association
Wine Market Council
International Sommelier Guild
American Wine Society
Wine Institute
National Association of Wine Retailers
International Wine & Spirits Competition

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Common Important Terms

Winery. A winery is a facility that produces wine. Wineries can be found in countries around the world and can range from small family-owned operations to large corporate enterprises.
Vintner. A vintner is a person or company that makes, bottles, and sells wine.
Viticulture. Viticulture is the science and study of grapes and grape growing. It includes the cultivation of grapevines, the handling of grapes for winemaking, and the production of wine.
Oenology. Oenology is the study of wine, including its production, history, and styles. It is closely related to viticulture and the chemistry of wine-making.
Cellar. A cellar is an underground space used for storing wine and other alcoholic beverages.
Barrel. A barrel is a large cylindrical container used in winemaking to store or age wine.
Fermentation. Fermentation is the process by which sugars in grape juice are converted into alcohol. It is an important part of winemaking and is what gives wine its unique flavor and aroma.
Bottling. Bottling is the process of transferring wine from one container to another (usually a bottle). It is done to preserve the quality of the wine, as well as to prepare it for sale or consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Wine Server? A1: A Wine Server is a type of hospitality professional that specializes in the service of wine and other alcoholic beverages. Q2: What qualifications do you need to become a Wine Server? A2: To become a Wine Server, you need to have knowledge of different wines and their characteristics, food pairings, and wine service etiquette, as well as basic customer service skills. Q3: How many bottles of wine should a Wine Server be able to open in one hour? A3: The number of bottles of wine a Wine Server can open in one hour will depend on their skill level and the type of bottle opener they are using. Generally, an experienced Wine Server should be able to open at least six bottles of wine per hour. Q4: What types of beverages can a Wine Server serve? A4: A Wine Server can serve a variety of alcoholic beverages, including wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails. Q5: What types of duties does a Wine Server typically perform? A5: Typical duties of a Wine Server include greeting customers, taking orders, making recommendations, pouring drinks, clearing tables, and handling payment.