How to Become a Paid Wine Taster

So you want to be a wine taster, huh? Who doesn't! LOL! Ok, on a serious note, you really CAN get paid to taste wine, but not just anyone can get a job like this. You have to have a deep knowledge of wine...a knowledge beyond "Yellow Tail" gives me bad hangovers and that wine in a box is cheap. You need to be able to pick out scents ("aromas") and flavors like oak, cherry, nuts, etc...even green pepper! Your wine "expertise" must be extensive. Can you answer the following couple questions?:

1. Name a sweet wine
2. Name a sour/acid wine
3. Name a bitter
4. Name a tannic/astringent
5. What is best paired with wine for tasting purposes?

And that is just a few questions that are off the top of my head.

If you found that challenge to be easy, and if you were able to give real answers for all of them, you may have a pallet that is meant for wine tasting.

If you look online you can find classes at your local schools that can teach your more in depth knowledge than any article ever could. I suggest taking one and see if you like it. If you're smashed drunk after the three hour class because you did a little too much tasting, this isn't a very good job for you (for the record, I'd be the drunk one too! After my 6^th Chardonnay "taste" I'd be dancing on the table and screaming some Twisted Sister.)

But if you really do think this is the job for you, then begin your hunt be checking out

WineJobs.com. WineJobs.com Has a wonderful list of jobs in the wine industry. Some of the postings are for managers, sales or even wine tasters.

If you are open to more than just strictly "wine tasting" jobs, try being a Sommelier first. If you can combine your sense of taste with your passion for wine and education you'll be able to land a wine taster job a lot easier.