Becoming a certified sommelier, or even a Master Sommelier or Master of Wine, requires about two years of study.

Date: October 13, 2010

Philippines Wine Shop Clark Wine Center is pleased to share with you articles, news and information about wine, wine events, wine tasting and other topics related to wine and the appreciation of wine.

The wine world is full of exciting opportunities to learn about and experience wine in new ways.  One of the best wine jobs around is that of a sommelier, a wine expert paid to taste wines and have the extensive knowledge necessary to recommend and pair those wines.  Most sommeliers work for upscale restaurants and manage the restaurant’s wine cellars.  There are few other jobs that allow such immediate contact with so many wines.  The sommelier often works with the chef to create the restaurant’s wine list, and is also responsible for educating the staff on the best wines for each dish.

Becoming a certified sommelier, or even a Master Sommelier or Master of Wine, requires about two years of study to receive official certification from The Institute of Masters of Wine or the Court of Master Sommeliers in Great Britain.  It is also possible to work your way up through other wine industry or restaurant positions, though it is still important to have some formal education about wine in order to do the job well.  Several other organizations, including the Culinary Institute of America, offer certification programs as well.

Course fees can range from $150 to $800 or more depending on the level of the course.  Companies also now prefer applicants with college degrees, and although a degree in viticulture or oenology would be helpful it is not a requirement.   Degrees or courses giving the applicant a background in business or foreign language would also be excellent compliments to a sommelier’s work environment.

Salaries for sommeliers begin low, as most begin as assistants to established sommeliers.  Starting pay often begins around $25,000 per year.  The best sommeliers, many of whom are also writers for the wine industry, can make $150,000 or more.  Aspiring sommeliers should also be prepared for a surprisingly physical job with a lot of night and weekend hours, since that is when the best restaurants make their money.

As they move up the career ladder, sommeliers will also begin taking on the responsibilities of visiting vineyards and becoming personally acquainted with wineries and wine makers.  This travel can be another exciting way to experience wine and share it with others.  The social aspect of the job can make it an extremely rewarding experience, allowing sommeliers to connect with hundreds of people and encourage outstanding wine experiences for customers.

Source: http://vinolist.com/winearticle-64.html

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices.  Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world.  As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years.  Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

Buy wine in Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines at good wine shops and boutique wine stores that offer good selection of good vintage wines at all price points. Wine lovers in Philippines can find good wines from France in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of French red wines from Burgundy are Domaine de La Romanee Conti or DRC, Chambertin, Pommard, Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Leroy, Bonnes Mares, La Tache, Vosne Romanee, Echeazeaux, Romanee St. Vivant, Volnay, Morey St. Denis, Nuits St. Georges. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila. Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. The best way to learn more about wine in the Philippines is to attend public wine tasting events that have no sponsors.

For more information, email Wine@Yats-International.com or visit http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com