WSET qualifications offer a number of benefits. These include giving you a solid introduction to a combination to either wine, spirits or sake. Aside from being enjoyable courses, and improving your knowledge, they could also help you to get your next job. Not only will you be more knowledgeable, but the WSET qualification are internationally recognized and a symbol of your achievement.
Below we highlight a range of jobs which you could consider, along with the most appropriate qualification level.
Jobs Options for WSET Qualifications
Sommelier
Sommeliers are best known for their interactions with guests. This will often include providing wine recommendations as well as taking the guests through the various options on the wine list and providing additional information on the wines listed. In addition to this, will serve the wine, decanting if required. A WSET level 1 or 2 wine qualification will help with this service section. In addition, the WSET Spirit and Sake qualifications may be useful if the restaurant or wine bar offers cocktails and / or sake.
Behind the sommelier is also responsible for putting together the wine list, ordering the wines required and ensuring that they are stored correctly. In order to do these three things successfully, a sommelier will need to have a good general wine knowledge and likely have experience in international wines. This is where WSET Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Wine really come into their own – exposing candidates to quality wines, in a range of styles, from around the world. It also covers aspects of food and wine pairing which will help the sommelier in compiling the wine list, as well as in making recommendations to guests.
Wine steward / Sommelier – Yachts
Similar to sommeliers in restaurants, wine stewards and sommeliers on yachts are responsible for the recommendation and service of wines to guests. In addition to this, they could be responsible for:
- The ordering and stocking of all wines
- Monitoring and controlling the wine cellar
- Educating other crew members and guests about the wine
In order to fulfill these responsibilities effectively it is important to have a good understanding of international wines. Often a wine cellar may need restocking – at which point you may need to visit a wine shop in the nearest port. At which point you’ll need to know what sort of wines you should be buying for your guests and at what price points!
Not only will having a WSET qualification help in this regard, but it is often a prerequisite for getting such a job. Although may super-yachts do not specifically specify that the qualification must be WSET, it is often the case that WSET is the qualification of choice.
Wine buyer
Wine buyers normally work at retail stores, hotels and restaurants. It is their responsibility to purchases the wines to be sold by their establishment. Ensuring that the wines chosen are suitable for their customers, and appropriately priced, is essential in succeeding at this job.
In addition to purchasing the wines / spirits / sake for the establishment, it is common for the wine buyer to be responsible for training other staff members on the drinks. It is therefore important to not only be good at tasting the wine, but to have the knowledge and confidence to easily explain the wines to less experienced members of staff – who will often then explain it to the end customer.
One really fun component of a wine buyer’s job is often attending wine auctions to acquire high end, and specialist wines for their establishment.
Training Manager
Hotels and some restaurant chains have a training manager dedicated to training staff. Often this position will double as the wine buyer, but this is not always in the case. Where a specialist training manager is in place they will often be responsible both for teaching about the listed wines, and helping to train on wine service.
Wine Importer
Wine importers are incredibly valuable in the distribution of wine across international borders. They work to bring foreign wine brands into particular countries. WSET wine qualifications help these importers to understand localized wine laws. They also help improve the importers knowledge of international wines and provide a framework for tasting and assessing the a wine’s suitability for a particular domestic market.
Sales Representative
In the wine industry, a sales rep will usually represent either:
- A wine distributor, or
- A wine brand
Representing a distributor will often involve selling wines from a range of brands to shops, bars, restaurants, and other retailers. Having a understanding of how each wine in the portfolio will match with the establishment’s customer base is vital for maximizing both sales and the profitability of the establishment.
Being a sales representative for a wine brand is often similar to the role played when representing a distributor. Of course, you will likely have a narrower portfolios of wines. But it will also be important to carefully manage the locations in which the wine is sold and the price it is sold for. The last thing you want is negative publicity for the brand you represent…
General Restaurant Service
Even if you don’t want to be the head sommelier, having a WSET qualification will likely be very useful for general restaurant servers. Being able to understand the wine list, and answer customer queries, will go a long way to helping you succeed in the restaurant industry! WSET Level 1 in wines is likely to be the most relevant qualification initially, but as you grow it could be worth adding the WSET Level 2 in Wine and Level 1 in Spirits qualifications to your CV.
Brand Manager
Brand managers often represent the wineries directly. They may also represent a portfolio of brands such as those owned by Diageo or Constellation Brands. They often travel widely – both within their home country and often abroad.
Aside from their relationship management responsibilities, brand managers can be responsible for overseeing sales representatives as well as helping to design and execute marketing plans for the brands in question.
Restaurant Manager
Restaurant managers often have an area of wine and spirit responsibilities. This is especially true where the restaurant does not have a dedicated wine buyer or even a dedicated sommelier. In these instances a restaurant manager may take on the wine buying responsibilities, putting together the wine list and even helping to train waiting staff on the wines and how to serve them.
Drinks service / Mixologist / Barman
Although a lot of WSET candidates focus on wine, the WSET Spirits qualification can be particularly useful for those wanting to work in a cocktail bar or other high end establishment. Don’t know your John Collins from your Old Fashioned – WSET Level 1 in Spirits may be for you!
Cellar Door Manager
Managing the cellar door for a winery can be one of the most fun wine roles. You’ll be responsible for a range of functions including:
- Running and maintaining the cellar door premises
- Taking orders by email / phone and organising deliveries
- Spending a lot of time talking to customers who are tasting and buying the wines in the premises.
When you’re face to face with wine enthusiasts there is nowhere to hide – but a WSET wine qualification will help you converse accurately with your clientele.
Wine Director
Wine directors often work for hotels and restaurant chains. They may be responsible for a range of functions including:
- Developing relationships with beverage vendors such as sales representatives and wine importers
- Developing training plans for customer facing servers
- Building wine lists and ensure the cellar is sufficiently stocked
Wine Educator
Wine educators can occupy a variety of positions. WSET themselves offer the ability to become an Approved Product Provider. This would allow you to set up your own wine school and teach WSET qualifications.
Wine educators can also occupy teaching positions at colleges and universities. They may also be involved in the consulting for and training of restaurant and other waiting staff.
WSET Jobs – Conclusion
As you can see, there are a wide range of jobs available to those holding WSET qualifications! Not only does a WSET qualification serve as recognition of your knowledge level, but it also helps to expand your knowledge. This is particularly useful for those who would not naturally have been exposed to wines and spirits on a global level. Hopefully the above gave you some good ideas on what sort of WSET related job you would like to pursue!
Good luck!