We are sure that becoming a wine taster sounds like a dream job for many of the people who visit our website, but it is important to keep in mind that it takes a lot of time and effort to develop the skills that you need to offer companies that offer wine tasting jobs the quality of opinions and service that they require.
If the idea still sounds appealing – and let’s be honest, of course it does – then here are a couple of tips for people who want to develop their expertise when it comes to wine tasting so that they have a better chance of securing one of these elusive jobs.
Develop Your Palette
One of the first things that you need to do in order to stand the highest chance of becoming a wine taster is develop your palette by drinking as many wines as possible. This can be done on a budget by purchasing cheaper wines from your local market, many of which will still be of a fairly high quality. At this point you won’t be looking to become a connoisseur, but instead need to start developing your skill in identifying the various components of the wine you drink and what makes them so appealing. You also need to develop your palette by drinking unfamiliar wines or wines that you may not yet be a fan of, as wine tastes need to be able to drink any and all types.
Find The Ones That Stand Out
Once you have developed your palette to the point where you can identify, for example, a Chardonnay from a Pinot Grigio, you now need to start looking for those wines that offer something completely different. This will require more research on your part, as you need to be able to find drinks that differ from the norm so that you can further develop your palette and become accustomed to tastes that you won’t find in a garden variety wine. This wine could come from any location, but the key is that it opens your mind and breaks any preconceived notions that you may have about wine tasting.
Do Your Reading
There is so much that goes into the creation of wines that extends beyond simply drinking them. You also need to do your research so that you understand the various complexities of the wines you consume and, as importantly, their histories. You need to develop a knowledge of why various factors may affect the taste of a wine, making it more or less appealing to the market in the process. In many cases, this can only be done by reading so get online or down to your local book store and look for any literature that is dedicated to teaching readers more about the wines that they consume. You will quickly find that your own appreciation for wine begins to grow, making you a more competent and talented taster in the process.
Build Your Budget
To truly develop a full range of wine tasting skills, you need to recognize that you can’t limit yourself to wines that fall within a regular budget. Instead, you need to take some time to save up enough money to purchase bolder and more expensive wines as you develop your palette. This is crucial because you need to develop an idea of what wines, particularly reds, could become over time, in addition to being able to recognize the qualities that they have in the present day. Start saving money so that you can treat yourself to some more expensive vintages, which you should study intently to understand them in detail.
Learn How To Drink Wine
The way that you drink wine is also going to have an effect on how you taste it, so you need to understand how to consume it properly so that you get the most out of your glasses. Recognize the various steps that go into consuming a glass of wine, such as examining it beforehand, swirling it in the glass and smelling its aromas, before you even get to taste it. Again, this will help you to better understand the various components of the wines that you drink, allowing you to enjoy them more intensely in the process.
Be Wary of Fatigue
There is always the potential that you may actually become tired of drinking wine, especially if you have focused intently on a particular type. For example, if you have spent the last few weeks drinking nothing but complex reds, you may find yourself yearning for a break. You should give yourself this break by switching to wines that are completely different, offering you the chance to cleanse your palette in the process. Remember that every wine offers you the chance to learn more, so don’t be afraid to change things up every now and again.
Research The Role Itself
Now that you have developed a deeper understanding of wines and how to taste them properly, you need to start looking into actual wine tasting jobs so that you can develop a better understanding of what companies will require from you in the role. Pay particular attention to desired skills that will require a little more work on your part to develop and try to apply the requirements of the role to your future wine tasting sessions so that you develop as a potential professional.
The Final Word
The idea of becoming a professional wine taste is most certainly appealing, but it is important to recognize that this is a job and profession, rather than just a hobby that you get to indulge in. As such, you will be expected to learn an enormous amount about the craft that goes into creating wine, which can often make it an intimidating prospect for those who just want to enjoy the occasional glass. Still, if you dedicate yourself to learning you will find that it can also be one of the most rewarding careers out there for people who truly love Italian wine.
I’m a passionate about good wine and good cooking.
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