Sommelier

A sommelier is a trained wine professional who manages the wine cellar, designs the wine list, and advises diners on pairings. At luxury hotels, expect a head sommelier overseeing a team and a cellar with 500-5,000+ bottles. Practical guide for guests: don't be intimidated. Share your budget range and food preferences openly, and the sommelier will recommend within your comfort zone, this is their job, not a sales pitch. By-the-glass options usually cost 12-40 EUR; bottle pairings with a tasting menu range from 80-300 EUR for non-vintage flights. Asking the sommelier to choose (the equivalent of "omakase" for wine) often yields the best experience. Tipping is included in service, but a 5-10 EUR cash gift for exceptional service is appreciated.