# sommelier

/sɒmˈɛliə/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sommelier
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

a person trained to manage and recommend wine in restaurants or shops. They help customers choose wines that match their meals or preferences.

For teachers: a professional responsible for wine service, selection, and education in hospitality settings. Typically works in fine dining establishments.

## Examples

- The sommelier paired the dish with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon.
- At the Michelin-starred restaurant, the sommelier explained how the wine's acidity balanced the dish's richness.
- Renowned for his expertise in rare vintages, the sommelier curated a tasting menu that traced the evolution of Burgundy's terroir over three centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.