How can I become a spirits expert?
As a spirits expert, you can put your knowledge to work for spirits companies, consumers and many others. Would you like to work in this promising field? Here’s a closer look at how to become a spirits expert.
Contents
Definition
What are spirits?
Spirits are alcoholic beverages produced by distilling cereals, fruit or plants and containing more than 15% alcohol. The best known are whisky, cognac, rum, vodka, gin and liqueurs.
Definition
What is a spirits expert?
As the name suggests, a spirits expert is someone who has in-depth, specialist knowledge and expertise in spirits and alcohols.
In terms of products, they can be trained to recognise the aromas, flavours, styles and origins of alcoholic beverages. They can create original recipes, give advice on preparing and serving drinks, and advise on food and wine pairing.
They are also experts in the market, mastering production and marketing techniques and knowing the different varieties available. For companies, an expert is useful for choosing the right products from suppliers, guaranteeing the storage of bottles and promoting them to customers.
Spirits experts often also have a good knowledge of wines and winemaking methods. Your initial knowledge of wines and spirits usually comes from your own research and experience. In addition, you can professionalise your knowledge by following a course focusing on the wine and spirits industry.
Environment
Becoming a spirits expert: self-training through literature
As mentioned above, research is the best way to familiarise yourself with the basics of wines and spirits. There is a wealth of information in the literature, where you can find :
- the origin of each spirit;
- production stages ;
- the art of tasting a wine or spirit, from the glasses to use, the way to appreciate the aromas and the best combinations to make.
As well as theoretical knowledge, you can also gain experience through practical experience.
Training
Training in the spirits industry
Formal training in the field of wines and spirits is a way of professionalising yourself by obtaining a recognised diploma. Schools specialising in wines and spirits are your best allies in obtaining a certified qualification. Note that courses vary according to your career goals. Some are geared towards production, while others are more focused on distribution.
To ensure your training, you can choose a fairly broad path, before specialising.
Offers
What courses does INSEEC offer in the spirits sector?
INSEEC is a business and management school that has developed a specialisation in luxury goods, wines and spirits. Those who want to become experts in wines and spirits can study for a bachelor’s degree or an MBA.
Bachelor’s degree in Wine and Spirits Sales Management
The Bachelor’s degree is a Bac+3 level qualification that takes one, two or three years to complete, depending on the level of education already obtained. It is aimed at anyone wishing to become an expert in the wine and spirits marketing sector. The course is also open to those who want to change direction or specialise after an initial course at university. The course content focuses on the commercial development of companies working in the wine and spirits sector. To ensure that you are fully operational, the programme includes courses such as :
- corporate culture ;
- business development ;
- finance and management ;
- negotiation technique ;
- budget management.
- spirits panorama
- sommellerie
As well as theoretical courses, the teaching methodology includes practical work, company visits and mixologies.
MBA Marketing and Management of Spirits
The MBA is a true specialisation in the field of spirits. It is open to students who have completed 3 or 4 years of higher education. The aim of the course is to develop the managerial skills needed to enhance the value of the products on offer. It also gives you the foundations for expanding the market of the company you are going to work for, both nationally and internationally. To achieve this, the course includes workshops and theory classes such as :
- business plan and setting up a company ;
- negotiation ;
- legal aspects of the wine and spirits sector ;
- wine and spirits distribution network
- Spirits Retail & Hospitality
- International Negotiation
- Heritage Spirits per Category
- In-depth understanding of traditional / heritage spirits like Calvados, Armagnac, Cognac.
This is an English-language course.
Career
How much does a spirits expert earn?
As aspirits expert working in spirits management, you can expect an annual salary of between €30,000 and €40,000 gross. This is the starting salary, but it can increase with years of experience.
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