The Chamber is reviewing the Bill 4495/08, proposed by the Deputy Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ), which regulates the profession of sommelier. The bill defines as sommelier that person who performs services specialized in wines in catering, hotel, restaurant, supermarket, cellar services, and in air and maritime companies.

According to the bill, only people with a certification in courses administered by domestic and foreign institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education (MEC), or that have been exerting their profession for more than three years will be allowed to exert their profession.

Tasks
Among the tasks of a sommelier, there is the participation on the planning and organization of wine services in establishments, the preparation and performing of wine services, and the assistance to clients in establishments which serve and trade wines, by informing them on the features of that product.

Also according to the bill, the authorization to exert the profession will depend on the registration at the Regional Labor Office (DRT). To obtain it, the professional should submit his identity document, be up-to-date with the electoral duties and with the military service, and prove that he/she has concluded the course on wine degustation.

Export
According to the deputy, the regulation of that profession can serve as a stimulus to wine culture, help Brazil to broaden its exports of the product, and develop specific ways of tourism, especially in wine-producing regions. Moreover, he highlights that the presence of a sommelier qualifies the provided service in hotels and restaurants.

Eduardo Cunha highlights that the proposal of the bill pays homage to the initiative of Senator Edson Lobão, the current minister of Mines and Energy, which proposed a bill with the same content in 2002. The bill, despite being approved at the Senate, was rejected by the Chamber at that time.

Essential service
The Chamber is also analyzing the Bill 4520/08, by the Deputy Onyx Lorenzoni (DEM-RS), with the same content of the bill by Eduardo Cunha. For Lorenzoni, the profession of sommelier is new in Brazil, as it has been all over the world until recently, and therefore needs regulation.

“That kind of Professional knows how to transform any occasion at the table in an unforgettable event, by choosing the right wines for each dish. He/she is the person who features a high level gastronomy service in a restaurant”, ponders Lorenzoni.

Procedure
The two bills will be separately reviewed by the Committees on Labor, Administration and Public Service; and on the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship.

Report - Cristiane Bernardes/MR
Colaboration - Rayane Mello
Translation – Positive Idiomas Ltda