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We have already answered the questions “How to become a wine director” and “How to become a sommelier” in previous articles. However, there are much more details we can discuss when it comes to these two professions. They are both crucial in the hospitality industry and especially for business owners of hotels and restaurants.
Just like the hotel staff, the kitchen staff, the bartenders, and the waiters, sommeliers and wine directors are important for the operations of hotels and restaurants. Thanks to their expertise, they improve the customer experience, and wine enthusiasts will always appreciate having such professionals on staff.
So if you are currently in the process of hiring staff for your hotels or a restaurant you are running, you should know the pros and cons of wine directors vs sommeliers. It’s crucial to be familiar with the differences and similarities of the two, so you can make better decisions when you are hiring. Below, you will find a complete breakdown of wine directors vs sommeliers and will better understand which is the correct action for your specific business!
Wine Directors vs Sommeliers: Similarities
Both wine directors and sommeliers need to have in-depth knowledge about wine, as well as the ability to recommend and pair wines with food. They should be able to recommend the best wine pairings to customers and work with the chefs in the restaurant to make that possible. They should also both engage with customers and train the staff on proper wine service (including how to pour wine).
The bottom line is that both wine directors and sommeliers are wine professionals who help cultivate a positive wine experience through education and customer interaction. They can only boost the experience of customers in your establishment, helping you improve profits and customer satisfaction.
Key Takeaway: Wine directors and sommeliers are the wine professionals who will improve the service in any restaurant or hotel. They have some responsibilities that may overlap but in general, they are very different and important in unique ways. Having a wine director who will curate the perfect wine list and take care of the wine program is important, but having a sommelier to work inside of the restaurant and help customers with their wine pairings is too. Don’t underestimate the power of a good wine service and the abilities of wine directors and sommeliers!
Wine Directors vs Sommeliers: Differences
Although there are some similarities between wine directors and sommeliers, there are enough differences to make place for both positions within the same establishment. Especially if you have a large wine list, you will benefit from having both positions filled, as well as utilizing a wine tracking app. The combination of the three is the way to true success and growth in this competitive industry where customer expectations are growing each year.
Now, let’s see if there is a winner in the battle of wine directors vs sommeliers or if there is enough room for both in this day and age. Below, we have outlined all the major differences between the two.
Sommeliers and Master Sommeliers: Duties and Responsibilities
One important thing to note is that a sommelier is a job title. However, Master Sommelier is a title created in 1977 to improve the standards of beverage services in hotels and restaurants. Master Sommeliers put an emphasis on pairing food with wine and this is considered to be the most prestigious title a wine specialist can have.
However, we are currently talking about the job titles “sommelier” and “wine director”. If you manage to hire a certified master sommelier, that will be amazing for your business, but individuals without the same level of certification can also help you improve the wine service at your hotel or restaurant.
When we are talking about wine directors vs sommeliers, it’s important to note that sommeliers are focusing mostly on guest interactions. They are recommending wines and pairing them with specific dishes for the customers. They work on the floor of the restaurant or hotel restaurant, providing table service and wine expertise directly to the guests. They do not deal with the wine storage, ordering of wine, and managing the inventory in general.
Wine Directors: Duties and Responsibilities
The reason why you also need a wine director even when you have a sommelier as part of your team, is that the director will manage perfectly your wine program. If you have a large inventory of unique wines and a lengthy wine list that brings people in from all over, you must make sure it’s all managed correctly.
Wine directors vs sommeliers is not a fair comparison, to be honest. Both can bring a lot of value to a place while fulfilling different needs within the wine service. A wine director is responsible for selecting wines, negotiating with suppliers, purchasing, and inventory management. They need to curate the wine list for the specific season and also think about the pairings and communicate that with the chefs of the restaurant.
A wine director also needs to be able to work with a beverage management app like BinWise, so they can monitor data in real time, set par levels, analyze consumer data from previous periods, and thanks to all of the information create the best possible wine list. With the help of tools like SproutQR that can be integrated, the wine director can also create a digital wine list that will increase customer convenience even more.
When you have a wine director on your side, you can be sure the wine service at your business will be held to a high standard. Stop doing the whole wine directors vs sommeliers thing and decide on which one will fit better your business concept. And don’t forget you can always have both and reap great benefits!
Frequently Asked Questions about Wine Directors vs Sommeliers
If you still have some questions regarding wine directors vs sommeliers, you should read the following section. We have gathered the most frequently asked questions and gave them an answer!
Who Creates the Wine List, a Sommelier or a Wine Director?
Usually, the wine director creates the wine list and makes sure it aligns with the concept of the restaurant and the budget. A sommelier may assist but primarily focuses on serving wine and helping customers with pairings.
Can Someone Be Both a Wine Director and a Sommelier?
Yes, in some establishments, especially when they are smaller, one person could be both a wine director and a sommelier. This means they are handling both the guest service and the management of the wine program.
Is Becoming a Wine Director the Next Step After Being a Sommelier?
In many cases, the next step for sommeliers is to become wine directors. Many wine directors actually start as sommeliers and move up to this more strategic and managerial position as they gain experience in the hospitality industry - specifically with customer service, communication with winemakers, and food and wine pairings.
Do Wine Directors Work Directly with Guests Like Sommeliers?
While wine directors may interact with guests, their role is mostly focused on management. Sommeliers are typically the ones engaging with customers for wine recommendations and service.