Become a Sommelier

Become a Sommelier

Author: Time We Discuss September 7, 2025 Duration: 27:40

If you want to become a wine taster (sommelier), I'm pouring this episode just for you! I sits down with wine professional Nathan Bihm to explore what it really takes to become a sommelier now and leading into 2026.

Nathan pulls back the curtain on the daily life of a sommelier, including:

  • The behind-the-scenes work most people don’t see
  • How to connect with guests and help them choose wine without pressure
  • The truth about blind tasting and why humility matters more than wine snobbery
  • The realities of working nights, holidays, and tough restaurant shifts
  • The step-by-step process for starting your sommelier career (no overthinking required!)

Biggest Takeaway: Becoming a sommelier isn’t about memorizing endless wine facts, it’s about hospitality, consistency, and joining the right community. Nathan shares his best advice for anyone curious about the sommelier path ... I'm not sharing it in the description, you'll have to watch the video for this one!

Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a certified sommelier, interested in blind tasting, or just curious about life in wine hospitality, this episode is full of real-world insights.

Listen now to learn how to become a sommelier in 2026 and discover the biggest takeaways from Nathan’s journey.

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Timestamp:
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - How do you even say sommelier?
1:04 - What does a sommelier, wine professional, actually do?
3:05 - The magic of helping customers find a perfect wine.
7:35 - Other responsibilities of a sommelier
9:48 - How does a person become a sommelier?
21:11 - Magic and Wine
21:43 - Being "The Wine Guy"
23:44 - The biggest barrier to becoming a sommelier
24:42 - Talent has the floor
27:20 - Outro

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Guest Information:

Nathan Bihm

Also Mentioned Directly or Indirectly in This Episode:

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Time We Discuss Links:

Official Website: Time We Discuss Website
Original Music: Original Music furnished by Dan Swift
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Figuring out what you want to do for a living is one of life's biggest puzzles, and Time We Discuss tackles it by bringing real voices into the conversation. Instead of abstract advice, each episode sits down with people who are actually doing the jobs you might be curious about. You'll hear the unvarnished details of their daily routines, the challenges they didn't see coming, and the moments that make their work worthwhile. This podcast moves beyond glossy job descriptions to explore the practical realities of different paths, from traditional professions to less conventional roles. Whether you're a student weighing college against direct entry into the workforce, someone considering a complete pivot, or simply fascinated by how other people spend their working hours, these discussions offer grounded insights. The focus is on career discovery through honest storytelling, providing a resource that feels more like a series of candid conversations than a formal guide. By listening, you gather the nuanced, firsthand information needed to make more informed decisions about your own professional journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Time We Discuss | Career Podcast for Career Discovery and Career Exploration with Real Professionals
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