SO, YOU THINK YOU WANT TO BE SOMMELIER?!

It was totally irressistable, coming up with this title ... taking into consideration the fact that popular media is already saturated with such titles as "Who wants to be a Millionaire" or "So you think that you can dance?" ... it should be no surprise that, transferring the same concept to being a Sommelier was pretty much a logical progression ... the concept being fairly basic that all competence, skill, knowledge and experience should be challenged and tested in the public arena, against the very best in the world ...

Hence, ... and in order to raise the professional standard The South African Sommelier's Association (SASA) has listed as amongst its highest priorities the following events; a) The Sommelier's Academy; b) The Sommelier's Competition; c) The Sommelier's Forum; d) The Sommelier's Annual Report ...

... However, before we answer that question ... it was a curiosity, for as soon as the SASA concept was published, we would love to report the fact that we were quiet amused by the initial response ... First of all ... everybody agreed that such an initiative was long overdue ... that we are on the right path ... that support was most certainly guaranteed ... "However, before we make any type of commitment, we'll first observe how things progress" ... Secondly, ... we had to content with "Who's going to pay for all it?!" ... Third, ... people wanted to know "Who came up with the concept?" and "Who are the people behind the initiative?" ... and Finally ... "We need more detail?" ...

... none of the above came as a surprise ... as a matter of fact it only motivated us to push ahead ... because we understood and appreciated the fact that perhaps some insecurities were challenged ... the fact that perhaps there are some guys absolutely convinced that they could do a much better job ... the fact that we had to field quiet a number of hostile phone calls ... and the fact that we have to constantly guard against deception and sabotage ...

... so, You Think You Want to Be a Sommelier?! ... well, in that case, you will need balls (Big Cahunas) made of steel ... because you'll be exposed to betrayal, abuse and intimidation ... because, in order to survive, you will need a seriously thick skin ... because you might have to deal with an ignorant employer (... or a devious Boss), frustrating working environment and an insult of a salary ... and because all of these you will need a healthy support system ... and that is the protection SASA offers its members ... supplemented by a reseonable degree of finesse (Style), knowledge (Theory) and skill (Practical) ...

... it is our understanding that a South African Sommelier should pocess a comprehensive understanding of; a) the South African Wine of Origin System; b) the collective EU Appellation System; c) the Appellation of California, Chile, Argentina, Australia & New Zealand combined; and d) the Past, Current and Future Trends of the Global Wine Trade ... Hence, The Sommelier's Academy offers the following qualification; Level I (Introductory), Level II (Intermediate), Level III (Advanced) and Level IV (Masters)

... so, You Think You Want to Be a Sommelier?! ... well, it doesn't come easy ... it's quiet an expensive and demanding profession ... which requires a certain degree of knowledge (... reading constantly) ... business management competency, the ability to manage a cellar and the ability manage service staff (front-of-house) ... a fair amount of travel ... and an appetite for alcohol (... you will be consuming a significant amount of wine and other alcoholic beverages) ...

... Sommeliers are obsessed with the World of Wine ... they can't get enough ... you will find them at wine tastings ... at wine expo's ... at wine seminars ... they tour the vineyards ... they volunteer their services during harvest (... in order to get a first hand experience in the process of winemaking) ... and they constantly pontificate about the subject ...

... so, You still Think You Want to Be a Sommelier?! ... then we look forward to seeing you at the Sommelier's Forum or any of our events ...

SALUTE!!!