

The Wine Business unit particularly is a fascinating opportunity to learn more about the mechanics of the industry from trade experts. For those in customer-facing roles where wearing in-depth knowledge lightly is a key skill, the WSET Diploma offers unparalleled insight. They relied on the qualification and my passion as I hadn’t work in a restaurant before, yet I was going to oversee their wine list and to be on the floor recommending wines to accompany guests’ meals.” Petri Pentikainen, General Manager at Red Roof Skye says: “Gaining a WSET qualification and showing my passion and commitment to wine were major reasons my first employer decided to recruit me. At a basic level, WSET Awards can initiate you in the basics of wine production and tasting – ideal for those who are transitioning into the industry off the back of other specialist skills. WSET offers a range of beginner to expert qualifications. It’s not such a strict requirement in wine but consider taking courses and qualifications if you want to show prospective employers that you’re serious and stay at the top of your game. Lots of other industries, like Finance and Architecture, require you to sit exams to prove your knowledge if you want to progress. It’s a bald fact that the drinks industry is one that requires specialist knowledge – but many confuse a general love of wine with the professional-standard understanding required to really excel. Here we look at five steps you can take to ensure that you build a career in the drinks industry with the strength, intention and savvy to last. But as some have found, the reality can fall short of the imagined utopia of international travel and long, boozy lunches.

Whether you’re starting out fresh from full-time education or considering a career change, the wine trade holds a romantic allure for many a wine lover.
