For many people, wine isn't just a drink; it is a passion. They know what makes a good wine and what makes a good wine great with the right food. For the person in your social group who is always trying to pair the best wine with the right food, a career as a wine expert, or sommelier, might be for them.

For most people who are wine experts, when they tell others what they do, the reaction might be, "You do what?" But for these experts, they take their jobs very seriously, and it has less to do with the fun of drinking wine than it does with making sure each sip is just right for the food being served. For this career, you not only have to have a great set of taste buds, but training from one of the many vocational and culinary schools in the country that offer wine tasting courses.

As the interest for wine continues to grow in our culture, so does the interest in making sure the best wines are coupled with the right food. There are certain wines that taste best with appetizers, fish, red meat, white meat, and even dessert courses. These wine experts are also referred to as sommeliers. People with training in wine expert schools can work in fine independent restaurants, hotel and resort restaurants, as well as in small boutique cafes and restaurants all over the world.

People interested in a career as a wine expert may have another degree in restaurant management, culinary arts, or hospitality management. This could include a certificate, associate's degree, or typically a bachelor's degree. Some restaurant professionals who have advanced degrees in hospitality or restaurant management may have selected beverage management as part of their degree specialty or minor.

There are many wine expert schools all over the world. Certificate programs may include such courses as wine tasting, viticulture and vinification training, comprehensive global tasting and theoretical evaluation of major and minor grape varieties, the art of wine blending, glass comparison, food and wine pairing, water codex, and champagne sabering.
Many wine schools include a full program on wine and beverage management in the program. These wine schools not only offer what is needed to become a wine expert, but also the skills needed to manage the full wine and beverage operation in a restaurant, hotel, or resort. These programs also include coursework in knowing about other beverages served in restaurants.  

Sip the success
A profession as a wine expert is considered an art. Like many art forms, not everyone has the talent necessary to successfully taste and know great wine and how it should be paired with certain courses at meals. However, if you possess this talent, an education at a wine expert school will only enhance your chances for success. European countries have a much larger wine culture than presently exists in the U.S., so the chances of becoming a wine expert and working overseas is excellent. The best opportunity for this would be to choose one of the wine expert schools in Europe. However, the popularity for wine in the U.S. continues to steadily grow and as that happens, the need for experienced wine experts who have successfully completed a program at one of the fine wine schools in the U.S., will continue to grow.

So, sip your success and find wine schools that fits your needs and goals!