Wine Connoisseur vs Sommelier: Decoding the Experts (2023)
Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Among my friends and colleagues who are wine connoisseurs and sommeliers, our conversations often revolve around the intricacies of wine.
But for those new to the world of wines, the words wine connoisseur and sommelier seemed interchangeable. However, these two roles have particular distinctions.
So, during our recent meet-up, I sat with them and asked them to help me compare wine connoisseur vs sommelier. Here’s what I found.
Wine Connoisseur & Sommelier In-Depth Comparison
A wine connoisseur has a profound love and appreciation for wines, while sommeliers take it a step further to undergo training and obtain certificates.
“Age is just a number. It’s irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.” – Joan Collins, Actress and Columnist
Both roles are associated with being wine enthusiasts, collectors, and individuals who derive immense pleasure from the complex aromas, tasting notes, and history of different wines.
While connoisseurs focus more on technical terms and wine descriptions, sommeliers possess a deeper understanding and skills in wine and food pairings, ensuring exceptional customer fine dining experiences.
Wine Connoisseur vs Sommelier Comparison Table
| Aspect | Wine Connoisseur | Sommelier |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Self-taught or informal education | Formal training and official certification |
| Role | Wine enthusiasts, collectors, or sales representatives | Wine expert with a customer service-oriented role |
| Industry | Diverse industries, including collectors and enthusiasts | Hospitality, restaurants, hotels, and wine-related businesses |
| Expertise Level | High appreciation, less formal education | Extensive wine knowledge and professional training |
| Wine & Food Pairing | Less emphasis on pairing | Specialized in pairing wine with food |
| Focus | Personal enjoyment and collection | Enhancing dining experiences through wine |
| Career Goals | Pursues passion and enjoyment | A wine steward with advances in the hospitality and wine industry |
| Networking | Social connections with fellow enthusiasts | Professional networks within the industry |
| Financial Investment | Varies from $50 to a few thousand dollars | Approximately $400-1800 (Courses and Certifications only) |
Main Differences
Education
It is easier to become a wine connoisseur than a sommelier when it comes to education. Wine connoisseur follows their passion and educates themselves about wine regions, grape varieties for making wine, and techniques.
They have extensive knowledge about many wines from attending wine-tasting events and various online courses.
However, a sommelier is a restaurant employee who undergoes formal training to obtain certifications. They also have extensive knowledge of wine service, but you have to pass all the examinations required before you can be called a sommelier.
Certification
Connoisseurs typically don’t seek formal certification. According to my colleagues, their love for wine drives them, and their wine journey is self-determined. Most attend wine classes and events to learn more about fine wines.
However, a sommelier is a different story. They spend years of training to earn certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) and Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
Wine Knowledge Levels
While connoisseurs and sommeliers have extensive knowledge of wines, they still have distinctions in their knowledge levels.
As mentioned, a wine connoisseur is not required to have certifications. Their knowledge varies depending on their interest and love for wines, but basically, they know about grape varieties, different regions, and wine-making processes.
On the other hand, sommeliers require training, certification, and more. They must be familiar with wine service and storage. They must also be able to pair wine and food properly to elevate customers’ wine experience.
Tasting Technique
A wine connoisseur enjoys tasting wine as a pleasurable experience, but a sommelier employs a systematic approach, including blind tasting, to evaluate wines objectively.
When drinking wine, connoisseurs savor it primarily for their enjoyment. Their approach is more relaxed and subjective. Sommeliers, however, identify wine with remarkable precision, discussing wine’s color, acidity, tannins, and flavor profiles.
Sommeliers have a more complicated role in wine and food pairings and the right temperature to serve wine varieties. Sparkling wines and Champagnes are best served at 45°F, while white wines are at 45°F to 65°F.
Rosès and red wines are best served at 55°F to 60°F [1].
Wine Cellar Management
Both connoisseurs and sommeliers can have their wine cellars. But although a sommelier is a trained professional, a wine connoisseur may also have an equal knowledge of wine cellar management through experience and wine events.
“Despite their different approach, wine connoisseurs and sommeliers contribute uniquely to the appreciation and enjoyment of a timeless beverage such as wine.” – Liquor Laboratory
Nevertheless, connoisseurs may still need the comprehensive knowledge of sommeliers to curate a wine list, maintain wines sold, and ensure that each wine bottle is stored under optimal conditions.
Customer Interaction
Wine connoisseurs and sommeliers have their fair share of customer interaction but with different insights.
A wine connoisseur or wine lover with more advanced knowledge can be a salesperson and provide customers with valuable information about certain wine products.
Meanwhile, a sommelier or wine steward interacts with customers by providing an enhanced dining experience through wine recommendations that best complement their food.
They may also provide insight into choosing the right glass for a sparkling wine or other fine wines.
Salary & Compensation
Despite not having formal certifications or training, a wine connoisseur can have many potential sources of income, like sales representatives or distributors in wine shops.
Most wine connoisseurs are already level 1 sommeliers, so they can use their knowledge in writing or teaching online courses.
In contrast, an Introductory Sommelier may earn around $40,000 to $50,000 annually, while a Certified Sommelier can have an approximate income of $60,000 to $70,000.
An Advanced Sommelier can earn around $70,000 to $80,000. But a Master Sommelier, the ultimate dream job for anyone who loves wine, may earn more than $150,000 annually.
FAQs
What’s higher than a sommelier?
A Master Sommelier is a title higher than a sommelier. It is the highest level of expertise that a person in wine and beverage can achieve.
In 1969, the first successful examination for this title was held in the UK [2]. Less than 300 people worldwide have this title as of 2023.
What is the difference between a wine taster and a sommelier?
The main difference between a wine taster and a sommelier is their training. A wine taster technically evaluates and describes wine before the bottling process.
On the other hand, a sommelier is a wine steward providing support and customer assistance in bars and restaurants. They have undergone years of training to recommend the perfect wine and food pairings to customers.
In Summary
Connoisseurs and sommeliers are deeply connected to the world of wine, but their roles, education, and approach set them apart.
All oenophiles can be connoisseurs, but not all oenophiles can be sommeliers. You can attend wine tastings, events, and classes to be considered a connoisseur.
But for sommeliers, you have to invest in training and certificates. You would also need to suggest wines and ensure a fine dining experience for customers of bars, restaurants, or hotels.
References:
- https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/wine-serving-temperatures/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/what-it-takes-to-become-a-master-sommelier-2015-6
