Special specialisation or additional qualification for people working in the wine trade. The training or qualification is very similar to that of the sommelier. The professional qualification includes wine science (vinification, most important wine-growing countries and wine-growing regions, harmony of wine and food, sensory analysis), commercial basics and marketing (stock-keeping, market analysis, product and price policy, business management ratios), sales and rhetoric (business initiation, complaint handling). This must be proven in a public-law examination based on the legal regulations of the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce). The prerequisite for the examination to become an "IHK wine consultant" is a successfully completed final examination in a recognised commercial training occupation and at least one year of relevant professional experience or a comparable qualification.
Another function is performed by specialists who advise wineries on larger projects such as setting up a new winery, reorganising the production process or planting new vineyards. See also Advisors and Flying Winemakers. See also a list of all professions and functions under the keyword viticulture training.
Serious sources on the internet are rare - and Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one such source. When researching for my articles, I regularly consult the wein.plus encyclopaedia. There I get reliable and detailed information.
Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi