noun
sommelier
sum-ul-YAY/ˌsʌmlˈjeɪ/
A wine expert who recommends and serves wine in a restaurant.
The sommelier recommends a dry white wine to complement our fish.
Etymology
The French wine steward was originally an officer responsible for provisions. The word’s connection with “baggage” reflects that broader supply role, which later narrowed to caring for wine.
In context
he's training to become a Master Sommelier a title reserved for elite wine stewards who work in the finest dining on earth
More examples
- We ask the sommelier for a bottle within our budget.
- The sommelier opens the bottle and pours a small taste.
- Both sommeliers help diners choose wines by the glass.
Forms
sommelier · sommeliers
Similar words
- server
- Serves food and drinks without necessarily having specialized wine knowledge.
- steward
- Can mean a wine attendant, but also names other service roles.