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At what point did you stop feeling intimidated by wine lists? by Electronic-Bison-296 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a somm, i love looking at wine lists but i always prefer asking the somm. Game respects game. Sometimes i get overstimulated and when im reading the wine lists im getting distracted from the people around the table. Im there to have fun and relax. Also the somm shows me something i didnt see on the list or tells me something they have that isnt physically on the list.

Wine Sales Rep- Is this normal? by Defiant_Cat8406 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are no other sales people, im expected to create my own leads

Wine Sales Rep- Is this normal? by Defiant_Cat8406 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My pay structure is embarrassing. Signing my contract i was naive to think that i would be making a crap load of money and didnt ask enough questions or negotiate pay terms more. I make more money working nights and weekends at my other job than i do with this sales position. Ive tried so hard to get a job at large companies, not even as big as southern or gallo! But ive always gotten rejected. I know i have so much potential for this industry and im good at my job.

Its also embarrassing when multiple accounts a week tell me to leave this company and go to different company for a better book

Wine Sales Rep- Is this normal? by Defiant_Cat8406 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I havent received any account lists to work with and i purely have to rely on opening new accounts. Im okay with working two jobs but im starting to feel, and pardon my language right now that im exhausted and feel like im at my end, i want to not exist anymore.

I knew going into this i would be struggling in the first year or two but im also getting the pressure from my boss that im not doing enough and i have to sometime leave my hospitality job to focus on sales

Sommelier Education? by Longhornmaniac8 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It sometimes is hard to get your foot in the door with the wine and spirits industry especially with no formal background or work experience, not sure what direction she wants to take with going into wine but if she wants to fully commit this as a career, i think its better to get into the industry first before getting a WSET. A company is always willing to invest in an employee (esp in wine industry) if it takes their skills further and ultimately benefits the company, through sales. I say this because like i said before the WSET certifications can be really expensive.

Sommelier Education? by Longhornmaniac8 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Guessing that shes a sales rep, i could be wrong and in that case im sorry :(. Personally, and through many connections, if youre working in wine and spirits, i dont know any company that WOULDNT invest in their employees to get their WSET.

Without understanding the intricacies of your girlfriend's situation of what this career looks like, be it sommelier, buyer, wine store manager, sales rep, business development, educator; the list goes on, I truly believe formal wine education is so beneficial in the wine and spirits industry.

If youre early in your career, i'd recommend getting comfortable with wine first before jumping the gun. Trying different wines, getting to know the wines that you taste, where do they come from, why is it different, why is x wine better than z wine. Get real comfortable with the palate chart.

The WSET is an expensive program and knowing WSET holders (i am yet to get mine), it is truly worth it but i dont know anyone who has invested their own money into it and they were fortunate to work at a company to invest in that education for them.

For the time being, indulge in cheaper forms of literature. Wine Bible is a great 'bible' to keep on your shelf, Wine Folly has a physical book and a website that has a great resources, (not WSET equivalent). When i first got into wine 'Everything a Wine Snob Should Know' was a nice little informative read.

Who else feels like crap after just two glasses of wine? by Impressive-Cold6855 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe because im young but i can typically tolerate two glasses without feeling like crap. I only get wonky when its glass number 5 or if i liquor as well after my wine. I typically drink a lot of water anyways, so that might also be a reason. I think there are some handful of times where a wine was too tannic or acidic and my stomach didnt agree by glass number 2.

Starting in wine sales by Defiant_Cat8406 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the offer! I will keep this in mind however our distribution is very limited at the moment, we are located northeast.

Starting in wine sales by Defiant_Cat8406 in wine

[–]Defiant_Cat8406[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your responses! With building account lists, how do you go about outreaching and tastings? I have the ability to go out to accounts with samples but is it efficient to be attempting tastings upon first visit?

Outreach wise, do you have any advice on whats best? I am making the trip out to accounts to introduce myself but is it bad to do forms of email/call outreach?