WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A SOMMELIER?
I was beginning to develop a passion for wine and really wanted to dive in and push myself to learn, and sharing that passion tableside fueled it even more.
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE TO BECOME A SOMMELIER?
Once I realized that I wanted to become a sommelier, my first step was the intro test. After that, the majority of the learning is left up to the individual. There is no way that I could have done it on my own, though. I needed to put myself in a position where I was studying with groups of people at all different levels.
WHO HELPED YOU BECOME A SOMMELIER?
I found The Dallas Sommelier Society. They really introduced me to the systematic approach of blind tasting, mock service examinations and theory groups. Working with them and other small groups helped me pass my level 2 [test] in 2011. A couple of years later, I attended and passed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust advanced course and exam.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL?
[I am in charge of] building and maintaining wine lists, meeting and tasting with vendors, staying on top of wine trends and prices, monthly inventory, hosting monthly educational wine classes for our team, as well as educating guests and helping them select the perfect wine for their palate.
WHAT ARE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS YOU THINK PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT SOMMELIERS? The biggest misconception to me would be that most sommeliers can be unapproachable and arrogant. However, that has not been my experience. There are many different certifications to choose from when becoming a sommelier; the Court of Master Sommelier was the route that I chose, and I did so primarily because they preached a humility that they take to the table and to the guests.
WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING A SOMMELIER?
I love how wine can bring people together. My passion for wine has grown over the years, and it has been a genuine pleasure for me to spark that interest and passion in others daily.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF WINE?
I enjoy lighter, more acidic-style reds with food, like Pinot Noir, but if I am simply drinking wine for wine's sake, I really appreciate bigger fuller-body wines. Clio is a Spanish blend that has been a favorite of mine for years and remains one to this day.