What is a Wine Consultant / Conseiller en Sommellerie ?

The “Sommelier Wine Consultant” / “Conseiller en Sommellerie” in French, selects the products to offer to his/her customers: wines and spirits. Before negotiations with suppliers, he/she must first proceed in the tasting. Procurement must be consistent with the framework, scope, reputation and customer requirements. He/she thus establishes the list of wines, after their evaluation and determines their year of issue. He/she must ensure the management of all alcoholic beverages available on the market. He/she also advises the customer on food and wine pairing. He/she is able to serve or explain the wine service to customers.

From a technical point of view, he/she must understand the principle grape varieties and the production of wines, know the great growths and producers of renowned wines and the different types of wines, as well as their respective characteristics.

In general, we find “Sommelier Wine Consultants / Conseiller en Sommellerie” in the restaurant business, merchant houses, production, wine tourism, sales or distribution whereby the principal function is to select wines, negotiate their terms of sale, present them and advise them directly or indirectly to customers and consumers.

The Sommelier Wine Consultant is an expert in wines, spirits, liqueurs, champagnes… His/her knowledge enables one to advise clients according to their tastes, desires and means. He/she is also responsible for inventory management in the company. He/she advises third parties on the wines that will appear on one’s restaurant wine menu or on a retailer’s product price list.

The training takes place at the 108 Quai des Chartrons in Bordeaux.

Concerning the Visa:

If we accept you as a candidate, the attestation (proof) of enrollment that we provide will allow you stay in France as a student up until the final jury exams and this includes the 6 week internship if you decide to do it in France.

If you are not a citizen of the European Union country, you must go to the French Embassy or Consul in your country and present your CAFA enrollment attestation to procure your visa. We have students from all over the world who come to the CAFA Sommelier school, getting a visa is not a problem.

CAFA Wine School / CAFA Formations has no housing and has no partnership with a housing organization.
On the other hand, we can help you and guide you in finding accommodation as much as possible.

To help you in your search:

Our address is the 108 Quai des Chartrons 33000 Bordeaux (opposite the Hangar 14)

The tram B passes just in front of the school (tram stop: Cours du Médoc)

Most students look for room-mates online as Bordeaux is a giant University town with over one quarter of a million students (second largest student population in Europe), so people are looking for room-mates or people are renting rooms for students all the time.

** It is a good idea however to organize your lodging in advance, as most schools start at the beginning of September in Bordeaux **

Prices range anywhere from 250- 400 Euros/month for sharing (room-mate) a room and 400 – 600 Euros/month for having your own room completely furnished

Your training program includes 6 weeks of internship during the period devoted to this. You have the opportunity to do your internship in France and abroad.
We ask that the students try to find their own internship (it is unpaid, it is not a job), but we certainly help if we can; especially if the internship is in France, as we have built a massive network with Wine and Food companies for the last 30 years. We also have contacts throughout the world, many in Asia.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM – SOMMELLERIE

ADVISOR OVERALL COST OF TRAINING: € 6,875