The SOMM Journal

June / July 2015

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40 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2015 { the digital somm } "THOSE TANNINS RIPPED MY FACE off." This blunt line from Jason Wise's 2012 documentary Somm perfectly captures the changing face of today's sommeliers—no longer perceived as buttoned-up mem- bers of a closed-off society, but rather as accessible human beings striving to master their craft. The documentary's depiction of four individuals on the rigorous path to gaining a Master Sommelier certification is no contrived reality-TV exaggeration, but rather taps into the personal, emotional side of what has previously been regarded as a highly guarded secret world open to only the elite fluent in a language that mystifies the average wine drinker. Somm picked back up the conversation Sideways started among consumers, who, in recent years, have begun to identify with and take an interest in wine education and the knowledgeable experts behind it. But, how to chronicle this shift online? Where can somms go to represent them- selves, to craft their own public personas? Recently launched SommsList.com provides a platform for sommeliers and wine professionals to tell their own stories to the public for the first time. There's always social media, sure, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn, but only this site is tailored to industry professionals. A clean interface includes sections to high- light work experience, clients, education, memberships and affiliations and photo and video galleries; with the ability to link to other social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter, Somm's List is a one- stop shop for those looking to build their online professional presence. Individuals in the service, production, education or sale of wine can build a profile to market and promote their awards, press mentions and, ultimately, themselves. The website was launched by the cre- ators of Chef 's Roll (www.chefsroll.com), a site for culinary professionals with more than 130,000 followers. Unlike chefs, whose reputations have exploded thanks to cable TV shows, making them less accessible and more highly regarded, sommeliers are primed to share themselves—and their insights—with the world. "Presentation Is Everything," the site's tagline states. And who better than sommeliers, who are called tableside night after night to wax poetic about their favorite wines before they even hit customers lips, to attest to this? Visit www.SommsList.com to sign up for free. NEW WEBSITE SOMMSLIST.COM IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR WINE PROFESSIONALS LOOKING TO BUILD AN ONLINE PRESENCE by Becky Tsadik Somm Where over the Rainbow PHOTO COURTESY OF SOMMSLIST.COM The SOMM Journal is proud to partner with Somms List and Chef's Roll: Be on the lookout for exclusive content, co-sponsored events and SJ-subscriber perks.

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