It's been predicted by some that wine may someday overtake beer as our national alcoholic beverage of choice (source). That's an extreme stance, but wine is definitely growing in popularity, and the good stuff remains hard to come by. The Chinese market is a new driving force. International opportunities abound.

So what's it all mean to you, Mr. or Ms. Prospective Sommelier?

Well, the World Sommelier Academy sees a bright future wherein Somms become the main link between producer and drinker. The top dog Somms seem to feel that they can muscle out the middlemen, like restaurants and retailers.

Meanwhile, the restaurant experience may suffer as the very elite fine dining establishments give way to a bigger number of semi-elite restaurants. Or even less than semi-elite, as the case may be. Already, in the swankier neighborhoods of the biggest cities, the pretentiousness has spread to juice bars and even convenience store chains (source).

Even a shortage of wine could be a positive for you, the sommelier, who makes a living on driving up prices of the rare stuff. Climate change may cause complications for growers who cultivate their grapes with extreme precision. A pinot noir drought may be good for prices for a little while, but just hope that it doesn't go too far. 

The extinction of great varietals like Pinot is good for no one. At least, no one who calls himself or herself a wine enthusiast.

Of course, climate change is just that—change. As historically wine-producing areas become less viable for cultivating the perfect grape, new areas may become more suitable, and give birth to all-new sorts of amazing wine. New technology will keep people hooked. Best of all, word will spread of the changes in the industry, driving consumer growth and cashflow.

So there may be some changes, sure, but this job will definitely be around for at least another twenty years.

•  Back
• More