Sommelier
From Free net encyclopedia
A sommelier (s&-m&l-'yA) is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly seen as specialized staff working in the finest restaurants, who specializes in wine across the spectrum.
Their principal work is in the area of procurement, storage, and rotation of a wine cellar. They are also responsible for the development of wine lists and are responsible overall for the delivery of wine service and training for the other restaurant staff. Working along with the culinary team, they pair and/or suggest the wines that will best complement each particular food menu item. It could be argued that the role of a sommelier in fine dining today is strategically on par with that of the executive chef or chef de cuisine. A professional sommelier also works on the floor of the restaurant and is in direct contact with restaurant patrons. The sommelier has an ethical duty to work within the taste preferences and budget parameters of the patron.
The Court of Master Sommeliers certifies professional sommeliers and only a tiny fraction of the finest professional sommeliers achieve the title as "Master Sommelier," a title equivalent to Master of Wine.
Etymology
French, from Middle French, court official charged with transportation of supplies, pack animal driver, from Old Provençal saumalier pack animal driver, from sauma pack animal, load of a pack animal, from Late Latin sagma packsaddle.
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