Matt Scammell | Sommelier
Matt Scammell originally hails from the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. He has a background in business management and is now pursuing his dream career, working as a freelance sommelier. In this capacity, Matt is hired for jobs such as conducting wine tastings, training staff, and creating wine lists for prestigious events and restaurants.
Master of Wine
Currently, Matt is working towards becoming a Master of Wine (MW). The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is a global community of wine experts, with the institute’s mission being to promote interaction, excellence and learning across all sectors of the worldwide wine community. MWs possess a unique range of theoretical and practical knowledge, enabling them to work across a variety of disciplines within the wine industry.
The study programme required to become an MW takes at least three years to complete, with students sitting the theory and practical examination at the end of year two. Should they successfully pass both elements of this exam, participants must submit their research paper the following June. There are currently 424 MWs in 30 different countries. Since 1953 a total of 516 people have passed the MW exam.
Sommelier
As a sommelier, Matt uses his knowledge and experience of wine and vineyards to manage cellars, keep track of deliveries, and monitor storage and stock levels in the restaurants he’s hired by. As well as having a deep understanding of the wine industry, there are several key skills required by sommeliers like Matt. These include great people skills, a thorough knowledge of wine etiquette, the ability to focus and strong research skills. The latter is vital to inform decisions on wine pairing and advise customers on alternative options should the wine they want not be available on the menu.
Inventory management is often an important element of Matt’s role as a sommelier. He needs to purchase wine with a view to how well it will sell while also determining the quantity to order. It is often a complex balance to ensure there are enough options on a wine menu to appeal to a wide range of guests while remaining within budget.
Hobbies & Interests
Wine is as much a part of Matt’s leisure time as his working hours. To relax, he enjoys sampling a wide variety of cheese and wines, visiting vineyards, and learning about the history of wine and wine culture. He also loves swimming, canoeing, cycling, abstract art and listening to jazz music.
