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Interview Questions

Top 33 Sommelier Interview Questions & Expert Answers

Are you looking to start or advance your Sommelier career? If the answer is yes, you came to the right place. We've created the Sommelier interview questions to help you get ready for your interview.

Table of Contents

Explore some of the common questions Sommeliers encounter in interviews, categorized into the following: general questions, questions covering skills and experience and situational questions.

1. General Questions Asked in a Sommelier Interview

2. Interview Questions Regarding Experience and Skill

3. Situational Sommelier Interview Questions

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Types of Sommelier Interview Questions and Answers

  • General Questions Asked in a Sommelier Interview: Read these general Sommelier questions to get a feel of what you can expect in your upcoming job interview. Also, make sure to check out our 45+ strengths and weaknesses list that you can use to talk about your overall skills and experience.
  • Interview Questions Regarding Experience and Skill: Employers might use this set of Sommelier interview questions to assess your skills. Considering that the Court of Master Sommeliers offers four different certified levels, you should use this as an opportunity to highlight your skills.
  • Situational Sommelier Interview Questions: Go through this set of questions that are designed to evaluate your ability to be quick on your feet and ensure excellent customer service in all situations. This way, you will be prepared for all sorts of unexpected scenarios that might come your way.

What Are the Top Sommelier Interview Questions and Answers?

21 More Questions for a Sommelier Interview

  • What inspired you to become a Sommelier?
  • Can you describe your approach to hospitality?
  • What would you say is your favorite wine region and why?
  • What is the best part about being a Sommelier?
  • What role do you think Sommelier plays in customers' dining experience?
  • What's your experience pairing food with wine?
  • Which certification are you most proud of?
  • How would you react if a Server opened the wrong bottle for a customer?
  • How would you approach handling a conflict between a restaurant and a guest regarding corkage fees?
  • What do you do when a guest doesn't like your wine recommendation?
  • How would you suggest wine to a guest with severe allergy reactions?
  • How do you address concerns of customers saying the wine is overpriced?
  • What is the most exciting wine trend you're recently tried?
  • How do you interact with guests who have very limited wine knowledge?
  • Can you tell me about a time when you received superb customer service?
  • What is your experience handling wine inventory?
  • How do you prevent wine spoilage?
  • Have you ever created an unconventional wine pairing that a guest liked?
  • Where do you see yourself in the next three years?
  • How do you ensure you're always advancing in your career?
  • What's your favorite way of building rapport with the guests?

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Prepare for your Sommelier Interview as an Applicant

If you still feel like you’re not fully ready to take on the challenges of a Sommelier interview, don’t worry!

We have curated a list of steps you can take to ace your interview and land your Sommelier dream job.

  • Review the job description: Carefully read whether your skills and experience align with the role. Check if you have the necessary number of years as a Sommelier, or whether you have wine inventory management skills. Having the necessary experience and skills will help you thrive in the role. On the other hand, if you’re not a match, then that Sommelier position might not be the right career step for you just yet.
  • Research the establishment: Find out more about the restaurant’s wine offerings, price points and clientele. Come prepared with suggestions that would help improve their wine service.
  • Prepare your talking points and conduct a mock interview: Practice common Sommelier interview questions and do a mock interview with a friend or mentor. This will help you remain calm once the actual interview starts and you will feel more confident about your answers.
  • Choose the right attire: Did you know that 71% of employers won’t hire a candidate who isn’t dressed for the occasion? This proves how important it is to prepare an attire that’s appropriate for the establishment where you are applying.

How To Hire the Best Sommelier for Your Establishment

Hiring the right Sommelier for your restaurant can be a costly endeavor. You want to get it right on your first try and avoid high turnover rates.

So, here are some steps to take:

  • Write a clear job description to give Sommelier applicants an idea of what is expected of them.
  • Compare the applicants’ Sommelier experience with the tasks you will need them to perform.
  • Analyze the candidate’s wine knowledge and experience in pairing wine with food.
  • Examine the candidate’s professionalism and hygiene, as this is essential for all customer-facing roles like Sommeliers.
  • Ask candidates situational questions to see whether they are quick on their feet, especially when it comes to customer service.
  • Evaluate whether the candidate’s own goals and aspirations align with your organization or establishment’s objectives.