A master sommelier is not a simple person to become. To obtain the title, years of commitment, preparation, and labor are required. Brian McClintic, who passed the test in 2013 at the age of 27, is the individual with the honorable distinction of being the youngest person to ever do so.
In California, McClintic worked as a waiter to start his career in the wine business. He rapidly developed a passion for wine and started training to become a sommelier. Later, he relocated to New York City and took a job at a renowned restaurant there, honing his abilities and knowledge.
The Master Sommelier exam, which comprises of three sections: theory, service, and blind tasting, was taken by McClintic in 2013. With a pass rate of less than 10%, the test is renowned for being challenging. McClintic was the youngest person to ever earn the title of Master Sommelier, but he failed his first attempt.
There are many skilled sommeliers in the world, even though McClintic may be the youngest Master Sommelier. Since different sommeliers specialize in various areas, it might be difficult to determine who is the best in the world. But among the most well-known and regarded sommeliers are Rajat Parr, Andreas Larsson, and Gerard Basset.
There are a few steps you may take to get started if you want to pursue a career as a sommelier. You must first acquire work experience in the wine sector. Working in a vineyard, winery, or restaurant is an example of this. To become a licensed sommelier, you’ll also need to complete coursework and examinations. Your studies and training can then be continued to get a master sommelier designation. The Court of Master Sommeliers estimates that there are now 269 master sommeliers in the globe. But there are a lot more trained and aspiring sommeliers all around the world. There are numerous courses and certifications available through programs and colleges if you’re interested in training to become a sommelier. The Court of Master Sommeliers, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and the International Sommelier Guild are a few of the most well-known.
Brian McClintic is the youngest Master Sommelier, however there are many other accomplished and devoted sommeliers all over the world. Sommelier careers require a lot of effort and commitment, but for individuals with a passion for wine, they may be lucrative and enjoyable careers.
Sommeliers are educated to spit the wine out rather than consume it after tasting it, even if they do sample a lot of wine as part of their work. This enables them to keep their professional demeanor and their sobriety while tasting and evaluating a variety of wines throughout the day. As a result, despite what one might think given their line of work, sommeliers do not consume as much wine.