Summary
Roles of the wine merchant
Harvest
The wine merchant prepares the equipment intended to collect the grapes:
- he disinfects the cellars;
- he cleans the vats;
- it checks the state of the tools.
He then participates in the harvest by receiving the grapes as well as in the production of the wine. He is also responsible for controlling the juice obtained (temperature and composition), before supervising the fermentation and then the aging of the wine. Aging corresponds to all the care given to the wine between the end of the wine’s fermentation and bottling.
Bottling
The wine merchant performs this step manually or automatically:
- He corks the bottles;
- labels;
- and put them in boxes.
He can also manage stocks and prepare orders.
Tasting
The wine merchant can be responsible for the wine he supplies.
If he works for merchants, he receives spirits from different sources and tastes them in order to diagnose any problems.
Advice
Whether at a producer or in a shop, the wine merchant sells the wine to his customers. He guides him in his choice, according to his budget and the use that will be made of the wine.
Wine merchant working conditions
Several places
The wine merchant can work in a cooperative or with an operator in the countryside. He can also practice with a trader, he will then have more of a role as a trader, generally in town.
Each season has its mission
The wine merchant is particularly in demand from the end of August to mid-October for the harvest, then until the end of December for production. During this period, he monitors pressing and vatting, day and night.
The rest of the year, he sells the wine more or less intensely depending on the festivals of the year, the changes of season…
Alone or in a team
The statutes and tasks of the wine merchant differ according to the size of the company in which he works. Thus it can be specialized in:
- the tasting ;
- the sale ;
- or even only in bottling.
But it is generally placed under the authority of the cellar master.
sometimes difficult
The wine merchant works in an often hostile environment since the wines are stored in dark, cool and humid places.
How much does a wine merchant earn?
A beginner wine merchant receives on average between €1,300 and €1,400 gross per month.
Training to become a wine merchant
After the 3rd
For a long time the BEPA management of agricultural production, vine option has been the reference in the profession. It combines qualification and professional experience, but it is also beginning to face serious competition from other training courses, in particular the CAPA vine and wine.
BAC pro
The professional baccalaureate in farm management and management, option vine and wine, or the professional baccalaureate technician in food sales, option wines and spirits, are strongly recommended by professionals.
Bac + 2
More and more wine merchants are encouraged to continue their studies with a viticulture-oenology BTSA. This professional training mainly corresponds to the harmonization of European diplomas.
Qualifications needed to become a wine merchant
Passion
The wine merchant must know everything about:
- harvesting techniques;
- all wines;
- the vintages;
- The vineyards ;
- years…
He must also pass on this passion when he provides advice to his clientele.
Experience
Time allows the wine merchant to acquire the knowledge necessary to recognize and appreciate the wines. He also knows how to monitor the aging of wine and knows its necessary steps and techniques.
Endurance
The wine merchant is required to support heavy loads (boxes, barrels, etc.) He must also support:
- humidity;
- the peculiar smell;
- the freshness ;
- and the darkness of the cellars.
Content updated on 07/06/2012
Our tips:
In addition to the size of the exploitation in which he works, the wine merchant is also subject to different outlets according to his region. In Burgundy, for example, there are more jobs than in Bordeaux or the South.