Top 5 wine and vine professions
With nearly 84,000 winegrowers, France alone accounts for around 17% of global production*. Whether in vineyards, shops, restaurants, or tourism, the wine sector represents nearly 600,000 direct or indirect stakeholders. The industry encompasses a wide variety of professions based on the different stages of a wine’s life: production, processing, and finally, marketing. Here are 5 booming professions for wine and vine enthusiasts!
1. Oenologist
The oenologist is tanexpert in the science of wine . As such, his mission is to advise producers, buyers, and sellers on the quality of the wine. He can use his scientific and technical knowledge in several structures (vineyards, laboratories, companies) and may be required to work in other countries due to the importance of the wine market abroad.
To become an oenologist, the national diploma in oenology (DNO), at Bac+5 level, is required. It is accessible to holders of a Bachelor’s degree or any other higher education diploma in the fields of biological, chemical, biochemical or even agronomic sciences . This training is provided, for example, at the university centers of Bordeaux, Toulouse, Reims and Montpellier.
2. Wine salesperson
The wine sales representative promotes and sells wines to a professional clientele (merchants, wine merchants, large-scale retailers, restaurateurs, etc.) and conducts commercial prospecting in order to develop their client portfolio. They can practice their profession with a wide variety of organizations (traders, private cellars, wine cooperatives, etc.)
More than a diploma, you will be asked above all to have a commercial flair and to be passionate about wine (knowing the characteristics of the product and the appropriate vocabulary). Speaking English, or even other languages, is a prerequisite because there is a good chance that you will be working with foreign contacts. You can follow a traditional training in commerce or opt for a training that specializes in wine sales Business schools and universities located in wine-growing regions often have a section dedicated to this sector.
3. Wine tourism officer
Wine tourism, or wine and wine tourism, is booming, bbothin France and abroad. As a result, there is a high demand for this profession, whether within wineries, wine merchants, tourist offices, or cultural and heritage organizations. Its mission is to promote a vineyard or a wine-growing region and the tourist activities linked to it (wine route, tourist circuits, festivals, etc.).
Beyond being passionate about wine and vines in general, hospitality and tourism promotion will be skills to possess in addition to a good command of English. It is in the major wine-producing regions (Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, etc.) that the most interesting courses are located after a Bac + 2/3 in Tourism, Communication, viticulture-oenology or even in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
4. Wine and spirits export manager
This profession is in high demand in both SMEs and large corporations. Its mission is to market wines and spirits abroad in one or more countries through direct distribution channels or a network of importers. In addition to sales activities, it is responsible for certain aspects of logistics, transport, and customs.
To become a Wine Export Manager, you can follow higher commercial training, generally in a business school (Bac+5) or h,o ld a BTS in international trade or MUC (management of commercial units) followed by solid experience in export sales.
5. Wine merchant
The wine merchant’s job is not just about selling wines and spirits, far from it! Before that, he must carefully select and negotiate bottles of wine and spirits with the producers in oton best advise his customers. He must therefore have solid knowledge of oenology and have a commercial flair. He must also carry out administrative tasks: accounting, management, human resources, etc. He can be self-employed or work for a large brand.
