Only a small number of experts ever obtain the Master Sommelier title, the greatest honor in the wine industry. Though the food and beverage sector is becoming more diverse, there are still not many black master sommeliers.
There will only be two black Master Sommeliers in the entire world as of 2021. Their names are Tinashe Nyamudoka and Carlton McCoy Jr., and they both received the title in 2018. The Master Sommelier certification requires substantial wine knowledge, service abilities, and tasting prowess. It is a very difficult and demanding process. Anyone who wants to pass the exam will likely have to take it more than once, making it a difficult process. However, the systemic discrimination against persons of color in the wine industry is highlighted by the dearth of diversity among Master Sommeliers.
The black community is not the only group lacking diversity among Master Sommeliers. With only 28 female Master Sommeliers in the entire world, women are likewise underrepresented in this profession. But in recent years, the wine industry has taken steps to address this problem, including developing mentorship programs for women and people of color and broadening the diversity of wine education courses.
There isn’t a set rule that forbids sommeliers from smoking in this regard. Smoking, however, can impair one’s sense of smell and taste, which are critical abilities for a sommelier. To keep their sensory faculties in top condition, it is therefore advised that sommeliers refrain from smoking.
The standard attire for a sommelier consists of a white dress shirt, black dress slacks or a skirt, and a vest. The sommelier’s tasting cup, which is worn around the neck on a ribbon or chain, is the most well-known accessory, though. The cup is intended to be a practical wine evaluation tool that frees sommeliers from carrying a glass while they taste and assess wines.
Despite not being a Master Sommelier, Jane Lopes is a well-known name in the wine world. She holds a Master of Wine designation, another esteemed title in the wine industry. Lopes is a well-known author and lecturer who served as Eleven Madison Park’s first female wine director.
The dearth of diversity among Master Sommeliers emphasizes the need for expanded opportunities and inclusion for women and people of color in the wine industry. Even while there has been progress, there is still much to be done to guarantee that everyone has an equal chance to succeed in this area.
What is not mentioned in the article “Lack of Diversity in the World of Master Sommeliers” is how much sommeliers consume. Instead, it focuses on how underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are in the world of master sommeliers, where typically white, male sommeliers predominate.