Q&A: Wine & Food Questions
Learning wine as a career
I am seeking career change waiting tables in a fine restaurant. How do I build my wine knowledge, from the beginning? Thank you,
Answer From Expert Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
You can do a great deal of learning on your own, first by buying a reliable reference such as "The World Atlas of Wine" by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson, two of the world's greatest authorities. This book provides concise, informative descriptions of wine regions together with maps, which are particularly helpful to gain an understanding of the subject. Then, you can attend as many tastings as possible and use the Atlas before and after tasting to put the wines into context. Beyond that, you can enroll in a good wine program such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (wset.co.uk), which has beginner through advanced levels and is offered in many locations. Good luck with your studies!
About The Expert
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade as an importer and retailer, and at present he is an educator, speaker and consultant. He set up and managed Millesima USA, a New York merchant affiliated with Europe's leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers. Previously, he served as senior executive of Frederick Wildman & Sons, traveling regularly around the world to visit wineries and taste the new vintage from barrel. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993.
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