So you think you can be a Master of Wine?
Monday 13 June
The 2011 MW exam, which took place last week, was as tough as always.
If you think you could do it, have a bash at the questions I tackled: you need 65% to pass - and remember to include examples from the old and new world!
Paper 1: The production of wine: part 1
What are the vineyard factors that influence the choice of rootstocks?
Compare and contrast the advantages of organic and non-organic viticulture
What are the options available for the control of acidity in must and wines from selecting the date of harvest to the end of the malolactic conversion?
Paper 2: The production of wine part 2
What factors should influence the choice of a wine’s closure?
What filtration techniques are available to the winemaker after malolactic conversion and before bottling? When and how might each of them be employed?
Critically assess the use of yeast lees in the maturation of both still and sparkling wines.
Paper 3: The Business of Wine
Examine the advantages and disadvantages of remaining a small wine estate
Volume or profit? Examine the options facing multinational wine companies
How can the internet influence the success (or failure) of a wine brand?
Paper 4: Contemporary Issues
How important is the influence of wine journalism in today’s media?
Some say the majority of wine consumers enjoy wine without understanding it. How will this shape the future of the international wine trade?
Easy peasy
- by Paul Kiernan, Cork, Ireland
Well done, Rebecca, so far so good. Can I ask, how long did you get to respond to each question, is there a suggested word count, and when do you find out how you got on?
- by Gavin Quinney, Bordeaux
How long do the answers have to be?
- by J Roberts, Spain
Suggested word count for each is around 1000 words, with one hour allocated for each. Results come out in September, so it will be public humiliation or jubilation! Starting to think I should have kept this thing quiet!!
Gavin - funnily enough, Ch Bauduc was an example I used for the closure question when discussing consumer acceptance and how that should affect what seal is used. Thanks!
- by Rebecca
Good job Rebecca! The challenge is worth the memory, it is not humiliation but honoring yourself for trying. Keep it up!
- by Jaci Kajfas, Seattle
Oh man, I just got acid-reflux revisiting that portion of the exam. Hope it went well for you.
Now, just to finish this damned dissertation….
- by Morgan Twain-Peterson, Bedrock Wine Co
At least you are on to the dissertation now, Morgan. Well done. I’m sure you can manage 10000 words - didn’t you do a degree in history or politics or something, so should be easy! In the meantime, take an antacid…
- by Rebecca