“I wish I would’ve known that years ago!” Famous words from those who look back and notice a shorter, easier path to where they are today. Nothing in life is more valuable than learning from those who traveled the road before you. That said, not all advice is good advice or applicable to everyone; today, the resources available for those seeking to become a new (or better) sommelier are endless. Here are three tips that worked for me.
1) Get organized early. Every great sommelier I know has a proprietary set of notes that he or she continually updates and guards with his or her life. Wine books can provide loads of information rich with history, dates, and important numbers that often tell stories while teaching fact—though they also can put you to sleep. Electronic notes and old-fashioned notecards are better resources, because they force you to disseminate the information and record it in a manner that will be easier for you to retain long-term.
2) Get connected. The sommelier community is a relatively small one. Attending wine tastings, seminars, festivals, and dinners is a great way to start meeting future colleagues. The Guild of Sommeliers’ website (guildsomm.com) is one of the best resources to arise in the sommelier community. Not only can you connect with other talented “somms” from across the country, you also can learn the most up-to-date, geeky beverage information out there. The $100 annual membership fee is pennies, considering all of the information and camaraderie you receive.
3) Study, study, study. This is easy to preach, but hard to do. Think of it like working out: Thirty minutes to an hour each day keeps you mentally fit. But trying to stick to a schedule like this—especially while working in the industry—is challenging, to say the least. Load your notes onto your smart phone to review during wait times—say, the hour at the doctor’s office or the few minutes in line at Starbucks. Stay vigilant and focused, and you’ll be amazed at how fast you’ll progress and how much you can learn.
