Sommeliers are technically storytellers.
I’ve had the fantastic opportunity given to me when I just moved to London; working as a sommelier. At the time, I’d not actually heard of the term.
For me, the job of a sommelier, other than wine knowledge, is to be a storyteller. They should listen closely to what it is you want, even when you might not know it yourself, and guide you through the list.
That means creating a picture in your head of the vineyards and the families behind the names on the page. Speaking to a sommelier should give you a clear understanding of what to expect when the bottle is opened.
The role is not just to know wine, but to translate it into something personal, vivid, and easy to imagine.
This is a very short post, but it sets the tone beautifully: hospitality, attention, and storytelling are at the heart of the work.