Perrier-Jouët and The Ritz seek wannabe sommelier

Champagne Perrier-Jouët has partnered with The Ritz to offer a 12-month commis sommelier apprenticeship at the prestigious London hotel.

Ritz head sommelier Giovanni Ferlito (left) and Perrier-Jouët chef de caves Hervé Deschamps

The successful candidate will have the chance to work alongside one of the most highly skilled teams in the hospitality business, shadowing The Ritz head sommelier Giovanni Ferlito and his team.

During the 12 months the apprentice will also have the chance to visit Epernay in Champagne at key winemaking moments of the year to learn about the making of Perrier-Jouët’s Belle Epoque cuvée.

Jonathan Simms, UK ambassador for Perrier-Jouët, said the partnership demonstrated the commitment of both Perrier-Jouët and The Ritz to create much-needed opportunities for sommeliers in the UK and to develop hospitality leaders of the future. 

“As a quality-driven Champagne house we are keen to support training within the hospitality industry,” he said.

“Aware of the need for more opportunities for sommeliers in the UK, Champagne Perrier-Jouët decided to create this bespoke role with The Ritz, where we have been proud to serve our cuvées for many years.”

Giovanni Ferlito, head sommelier at The Ritz, commented: “The quality of experience and training the candidate will receive at The Ritz will provide a career opportunity like no other and the creation of this unique role is testament to the long-standing relationship between the hotel and Maison Perrier-Jouët.”

Reporting directly to Giovanni Ferlito, the Perrier-Jouët/Ritz commis sommelier will join the hotel’s highly skilled sommelier team, and will be mentored “every step of the way”, a spokesperson said.

“The quality of experience and training the candidate will receive at The Ritz will provide a career opportunity like no other and the creation of this unique role is testament to the long-standing relationship between the hotel and Maison Perrier-Jouët,” Ferlito said.

Applications for the new commis sommelier role are being accepted until 4 March. The successful candidate will start his or her apprenticeship at The Ritz in April, when Perrier-Jouët is due to become The Ritz’s Champagne of the month.

Anyone wishing to apply for the role can do so here.

The Drinks Business recently reported on the relaunch of The Ritz’s Livre du Vin, to which Ferlito has added 150 new bins – including five orange wines.

To find out the top 10 hipster wines at The Ritz, click here.