How do I become an oenologist?

In order to become an oenologist or a wine maker, you must love everything about wine. From grapes to marketing that makes a great vineyard genius, it's impossible to become an oenologist without a real passion for wine. Aside from the desire to learn and understand everything related to wine, it is also important to get some necessary skills.

To become an oenologist, you also need to know how a vineyard works, how to harvest grapes, how to apply chemistry to winemaking, and the process of winemaking in general. All these skills must be fully understood before becoming a wine expert. There are essentially two ways to become an oenologist. The first way is to acquire an internship in a local vineyard, and the second way is to attend a university that has a viticulture program.

If you live near the vineyards, take the time to visit each property. By talking with managers, walking in a vineyard, and asking questions about the wine process, you can begin to understand how wine is made. Many vineyards require extra help during the harvest season, which happens during the fall months in most parts of the world. Vineyards that have small shops in the premises may also need extra help. Trying to get a job in a vineyard is a great way to become an oenologist.

Alternatively, you can look for a university near you that offers a program of viticulture or oenology. These programs are becoming more and more popular as wine becomes a bigger part of everyday life. Often students studying oenology have obtained other degrees in scientific fields such as microbiology or plant physiology, if acquiring this type of degree before studying oenology is not absolutely necessary.

You can also consider obtaining a master's degree in wine, which is only offered by the Institute of Masters of Wine located in the UK. This accreditation is recognized all over the world, and this is a degree that will help you gain lucrative jobs in the wine field. After obtaining a recognized training or diploma in the workplace, you can become an oenologist.

Oenologists can find a job by applying to the vineyard as winemakers, searching for sommelier positions in restaurants, or applying to teaching positions in local universities. While the position of an oenologist can be a rewarding experience, it is often a job that requires long hours. If you are looking to become an oenologist, start by learning as much as possible about wine, then decide if you want to work as an intern or attend a university.

• A vineyard.
• Fermentation of wine in a vat.
• Glasses of white wine.
• A sommelier showing a bottle of wine to a customer.