A career in wine

[badhorsey]

Recently, I went on a wine tasting course. The chap who presented it gave some background about how he'd worked in an investment bank, hated it, and decided to switch over to work in wine.

I find myself in a similar situation. I don't really like my job, despite how well it pays. But I love wine with a passion and whilst by no means an expert, would call myself an enthusiastic amateur.

So I'm wondering; how does one go about getting a job in the wine industry? Casting aside the rose-coloured spectacles I realise that this will not only involve some quite serious re-education, but also a drop in salary. And also that whatever I end up doing, it's not going to be all about jetting around the planet drinking plonk.

But I can weather that if the end result will be working in something that I really love.

Does anyone have any pointers? Are there books to read, courses to go on, qualifications to obain? Which areas of knowledge are essential, and which are desirable?

This is a lot to ask in one post, but if anyone can give me hints in the right directions.

Thanks!

[Donquixote]

Go take a look at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's website...

http://www.wset.co.uk/

I took courses with them whilst at catering college as a teenager, and the qualifications i gained have helped me immeasurably in my career as a chef. Highly recommended.

[KenR]

Certainly as Donquixote pointed out there is the WSET. This would seem to be not only an excellent foundation but also thoroughly enjoyable from what I can tell from those who have done it

Perhaps though if it is wine that you really wish to focus on you should start with the WSET as a building block to move onto Master of Wine which can be a real door opener.

http://www.masters-of-wine.org/EduIntro.aspx

[mosesg]

I know one of my friend ex boyfriends went to university down in Brighton to learn all about the wine trade. I know it actually involved vineyard work as well