Asommelier (UK:/ˈsɒməljeɪ,sɒˈmɛlieɪ/SOM-əl-yay, som-EL-ee-ay,US:/ˌsʌməlˈjeɪ/SUM-əl-YAY,French:[sɔməlje]ⓘ),chef de vin orwine steward,[1] is a trained and knowledgeablewine professional, normally working in finerestaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well aswine and food pairing. The role of the sommelier infine dining today is much more specialized and informed than that of a winewaiter. Sommeliers Australia states that the role is strategically on par with that of thechef de cuisine.[2]
A sommelier may be responsible for the development of wine lists and books and for the delivery of wine service and training for the other restaurant staff. Working along with the culinary team, they pair and suggest wines that will best complement each particular food menu item.[3]
In modern times, a sommelier's role may be considered broader than working only with wines, and may encompass all aspects of the restaurant's service, with an enhanced focus on wines,beers, spirits,soft-drinks,cocktails,mineral waters, andtobaccos.[2] The role of sommelier is usually taken on by amaître d'hôtel when no sommelier is employed.[1]
The modern word isFrench, deriving fromMiddle French where it referred to a court official charged with transportation of supplies.[4] This use of the term dates to a period whenpack animals would be used to transport supplies. The Middle French probably finds its origin inOld Provençal where asaumalier was a pack animal driver.[4]Sauma referred to a pack animal or the load of a pack animal. InLate Latin,sagma referred to a packsaddle.[4]
This phenomenon illustrates how a prestigious title could give rise to lesser positions sharing the same generic name. Due to the influence ofPhilip the Handsome's court on that of theCatholic Monarchs, a duplication of official titles occurred at a certain point. Regarding wine, thecamarero de vinos eventually evolved intosumiller, a term that remains the Spanish equivalent ofsommelier.[5]
Though sommelier is a job title potentially anyone may claim, becoming a professional certified sommelier often requires some combination of experience, training, formal education (abachelor's degree is not required, but individuals may do a two-year associate degree), classes and examinations.[6]
TheCourt of Master Sommeliers (CMS), established in 1977, is an independent examining body that offers the Master Sommelier Diploma, the Advanced Sommelier Certificate, the Certified Sommelier Certificate, and the Introductory Sommelier Certificate. It was created under the supervision of theWorshipful Company of Vintners, the Institute ofMasters of Wine, the British Hotels & Restaurants Association, theWine and Spirit Trade Association of Great Britain, and the Wholesale Tobacco Trade Association.[7] Since the Master Sommelier Diploma was introduced in 1969, a total of 249 people from around the world had become Master Sommeliers by the end of 2017.[8]
The National Wine School (NWS) is a U.S.–based wine education and certification body founded in 2009 inLos Angeles, California.[9] It offers a five-level professional curriculum, including the Level III Sommelier Certification and the Level IV Advanced Sommelier Certification.[10][11]
Independent reviewers describe NWS as emphasizing U.S. educational-standards compliance. According to the wine-education review site SOMM.us, the school "was developed to deal with the structural deficits inherent in the British-owned certification agencies" and is "fully compliant in the state they are located in … and require[s] their affiliate schools to be regionally accredited colleges and universities".[12] The same review characterizes NWS as "a good option if you want a rock-solid professional wine trade certification" and notes that its online program "is the best online sommelier course available today".[13]
The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) educates and certifies sommeliers throughout North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.[14] It was founded in 1982 and the programme consists of Level 1 Wine Fundamentals, Level 2 Wine Fundamentals and a Sommelier Diploma. They also offer a Certified Sommelier Instructor diploma.[15]
The International Wine Guild was founded in 1998 and is approved and regulated by theColorado Department of Higher Education.[16]
InFrance, the Union des Sommeliers[17] (UDS) was founded in 1907 to ensure social protection for its members, both sommeliers and cellar masters inParis region. The approach and role of the association developed throughout the years as it lost its autonomy by merging with the Mutualité Hôtelière in 1959.[17][18] Ten years later, sommeliers regained their independence as the Association des Sommeliers de Paris (ASP) was founded in 1969.[17] In the same year theAssociation de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) was created and federated other organisations in the world,[19] and in 1970 the old UDS was renamed in Union de la Sommellerie Française, UDSF, which supervises today the 21 regional associations in France (including ASP).[20] The title of Mention Complémentaire Sommellerie (MCS) and Brevet Professionnel de Sommelier (BP)[21] can be achieved studying for many different approved providers, and the final qualification of Maître Sommelier[22] can be achieved after an accurate career assessment, requiring at least 10 years of professional experience.
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In Italy, theAssociazione Italiana Sommelier[23] (AIS), founded on 7 July 1965, is one of the oldest sommelier associations of the world. It is officially recognised and legally acknowledged by the Italian government.[24] The Italian Sommelier Association is part and founding member of the Worldwide Sommelier Association (WSA),[25] which is officially recognized throughout the world. It is actually the largest sommelier association ever featuring over 33,000 members only in Italy. AIS / WSA is famous worldwide for its technical tasting approach and methodology, patented food & wine pairing technique, publications, service standards and three-levels course structure which leads to the Certified Sommelier qualification. A Professional Sommelier qualification and diploma is issued by AIS, after a candidate's career assessment, for those sommeliers actually working in a food and beverage establishment.[citation needed]
The Association de la Sommelerie Internationale (ASI) organizes the World's Best Sommelier Contest every 3 years since 1969.[26] The event in 2019 crowned the German candidate named Marc Almert. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 17th edition of the contest took place in 2023 instead of 2022 in Paris.[27]
Other specialized beverage service roles take on the termsommelier. These includebeer sommelier (also calledcicerone)[28] andsake sommelier.[29]
Media related toSommeliers at Wikimedia Commons
The dictionary definition ofsommelier at Wiktionary
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