# Certified Water Sommeliers Martin Riese Hosts a Water Tasting Event at a Los Angeles Restaurant By Meghan Young | Published 2015-02-02 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/water-sommelier References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2015/01/water-tasting-la-restaurant-water-sommelier-patina-martin-riese.html) & [patinagroup](http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/133/menus/Rays-Tasting-Water-menu.pdf) Martin Riese is America's first water sommelier. Although he made headlines a couple of years ago with the inception of Ray’s & Stark Bar’s 45-page [Water Menu](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rays-stark-bar), the water sommelier has since created water tasting class at fine-dining restaurant Patina. It grants students the opportunity to truly experience the difference between bottled water brands. Psfk reports, "The certified water sommelier will inform and educate on the fundamentals of water, a new stepping stone for a more holistic lifestyle. The tasting will include five different waters paired with small bites, with insight to how water can be [paired similar to wine](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seaside-tasting-wine-kit)." Those who always thought their water was fresher than those of other countries will be able to put that claim to the test. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Water Tasting Events:** Opportunity for restaurants to offer water tasting events and educate customers on the different flavors and qualities of bottled water. - **Water Sommeliers:** Potential for the emergence of certified water sommeliers who specialize in curating and pairing bottled waters for a more refined dining experience. - **Holistic Water Lifestyle:** Growing interest in water as a key component of a holistic lifestyle, opening up opportunities for water-focused wellness and education businesses. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Restaurants and bars can incorporate water menus and tasting events to enhance the dining experience and attract water connoisseurs. - **Hospitality:** Hotels and resorts can employ water sommeliers to provide guests with personalized water experiences and enhance their overall stay. - **Wellness:** Wellness centers and spas can incorporate water education programs and services to highlight the importance of water in overall well-being. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Water-Inspired Cocktail Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-water-of-life-eau-de-vie.md) - [Elevated Wine Waters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boutique-wine-water.md) - [Extreme Beverage Taste Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blind-taste-test.md) - [Unpretentious Wine Classes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masterclass-guide-to-wine.md) - [Scent-Based Water Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-up.md) - [Mountain Air Sommeliers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountain-tours.md) - [Hard Water Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bluebird-hardwater.md) - [Double-Filtered Drinking Water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floewater.md) - [Melted Iceberg Bottled Waters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/berg-iceberg-bottled-water.md)