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What does a Wine Consultant do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A wine consultant is a professional who helps people choose the right wines for their needs. They may work in a retail setting, such as a liquor store, or they may be employed by a winery. Wine consultants typically have extensive knowledge about different types of wines and can offer advice about which ones will pair well with certain foods or events. They may also be able to help customers find the best deals on wine.

Wine Consultant job duties include:

  • Advise customers on wines to purchase, based on their individual tastes
  • Help customers select wines for special occasions
  • Recommend food and wine pairings
  • Educate customers on wine production, wine regions, and wineries
  • Keep up-to-date on the latest industry trends
  • Attend wine tastings and trade shows
  • Develop relationships with suppliers and producers
  • Maintain inventory of wines and supplies
  • Process customer orders

Wine Consultant Job Requirements

A Wine Consultant is responsible for guiding customers through the wine selection process and providing expert advice on food and wine pairings. They must have extensive knowledge of different types of wines, as well as an understanding of how to store and serve wine. Many Wine Consultants have a degree in hospitality or a related field, and many hold certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Experience working in a wine shop or restaurant is also helpful.

Wine Consultant Skills

  • Wine knowledge
  • Food and wine pairing
  • Wine service
  • Wine sales
  • Wine storage
  • Wine making
  • Viticulture
  • Enology
  • Business skills
  • People skills
  • Marketing skills

Related: Top Wine Consultant Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Wine Consultant

A wine consultant is a professional who helps people choose the right wines for their needs. They may work in a retail setting, such as a liquor store or wine shop, or they may be employed by a winery or wine company. Some consultants are also freelance, working with private clients.

The best way to become a wine consultant is to have a passion for wine and a willingness to learn. There is no one specific path to becoming a consultant, but most likely it will involve some combination of education and experience.

Many consultants have degrees in hospitality or enology (the study of wine). Others have taken courses offered by professional organizations, such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) or the Court of Master Sommeliers. These programs can provide helpful knowledge about different types of wines and how to taste them. However, they are not required to become a consultant.

Experience is often more important than formal education when it comes to becoming a wine consultant. Many consultants start out working in the retail side of the industry, such as in liquor stores or wine shops. This gives them the opportunity to learn about different wines and gain customer service experience. Other consultants may have worked in restaurants or other businesses where they were responsible for choosing wines for the menu or for special events.

The best way to learn about becoming a wine consultant is to talk to someone who is already working in this field. They can provide insights into what education and experience is necessary and offer advice on how to get started.

Related: Wine Consultant Resume Example

Related: Wine Consultant Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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