The modern sommelier needs more than wine knowledge—they need the commercial skills to help wines succeed in the marketplace.

Every sommelier should have an intimate knowledge of tannins in wine and other drinks like tea and coffee. This will help you recommend the perfect wine for particular guests, & speaking about taste in coffee may help you upsell.

As Jorge L Mendoza ate oysters in his youth, he also learned the art of pairing food with wine perfectly. A skill that he carries with him today at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami.