Not all Artists are Sommeliers, but all Sommeliers are Artists: The Expertise Behind Crafting the Sparkling Wine List – A Case Study on Germany’s Haute Cuisine

The growing German sparkling wine market and the expansion of the fine dining sector are attracting increasing attention. However, these developments have received limited academic investigation. This study aims to identify the key determinants influencing the selection of sparkling wines in high-end restaurants, focusing on how sommeliers make decisions regarding which wines to include on the wine list. To explore these decision-making processes, a thematic analysis was conducted based on interviews with 20 German sommeliers. The analysis revealed five overarching themes: business and management considerations, sensory and experiential value, symbolic value creation, territorial and regional identity, and the wine list as a strategic tool. The findings offer valuable insights for restaurant managers, sommeliers, and wine producers seeking to engage with the upscale dining segment.