I started writing this at my desk slurping down a glass of wine having just finished my Master of Wine application exam. I couldn’t figure out how to make the font size larger on the software so was hunched over my laptop, shoulders tensed for 90 minutes, having done the exact same thing 12 hours before. But I got it done! Now, some of you following me for a while might think, “Wait, aren’t you already IN the Master of Wine program?”
I was.
And then I was not.
I first applied Spring 2020, got accepted that fall, missed the bar on my Stage 1 exam June 2021 so remained in Stage 1 for another year, and narrowly missed progressing through to Stage 2 via the June 2022 exams. This bit is 2-strikes-and-you’re-out, so I was released from the program. I remember results day very clearly – September 26, 2022 – I knew I hadn’t been perfect, but I felt close, so was rationally expecting it to go either way, but hopeful. Alas, the notification email’s first line (in bold, which seemed a little mean,) said, “Outcome of Stage 1 Assessment – Leave the programme.” My gut dropped. But then it went on to be very nice, telling me that I actually did a lot of things well and they’d be happy to receive an application from me in the future. Didn’t stop the heaving sobs at the time, but okay.
For those of you not in the wine biz, let me be very clear – this is one of the two hardest certification programs in the world of wine. (The other, Master Sommelier, is for service-oriented trade folks; Master of Wine is more educationally based.) There are only just over 400 MWs in the entire universe. It’s like a quadruple PhD that has no classroom or professors. You need to learn, process, and demonstrate detailed expertise and critical thinking in all aspects of viticulture, vinification, the handling of wine, and the business of wine. On your own. Plus identify, assess, and argue 36 different wines tasted blind – with nothing to go on but what’s in your glass.
And my 30+ years’ experience in the trade as a wine appraiser… has NOT prepared me for ANY of that. (In the past 15 years, there have been only two questions on the MW theory exam about investment/counterfeits, out of over 300.) My friends who are viticulturalists or winemakers or who work in import and distribution don’t have to think about trunk diseases or enzymes or business models, it’s part of their lives. Me, I have to book-learn everything. Plus, when I taste wine for my main job, it’s usually for an insurance claim so is affected in some way. So I have not had a career building up an encyclopedic palate of classic wines like a lot of folks.
That said, I still decided to re-apply.
They require you take two years off – I guess they want you to be sure? – before applying again, and during that period, I commiserated with many smart fellow candidates who were also unsuccessful, continued with the remainder of my tasting group doing periodic mock exams, regularly revamped my notes and wrote essay outlines… and I realized that my life was more focused, less stressful, and happier without MW officially in it. But still, I was compelled to throw my hat back in the ring.
Am I crazy? Probably. But what the program gave me goes so far beyond results, I simply wasn’t finished with it yet.
To my friends, family, co-workers, and anyone pursuing or considering this program, here are the differences between my first try and what I’m affectionately calling “MW V.2: Electric Boogaloo.”
1. I (sort of) know what’s expected of me.
I remember doing one of my first practical practice papers in 2020. It said the wine was a Hunter Valley Semillon, and I had to answer why it was that variety from that region. I was like, “Um… because you said it is?” I didn’t know how to “argue” the wine. How to structure an MW-appropriate answer by assessing elements, suggesting possible lateral options, how to reason why that was the best option. How to describe grape, origin, and winemaking from what I tasted in the glass. What were quality and commercial markers. None of that.
NOW I do.
The application exam practical (tasting) portion consists of 4 wines you’re supposed to buy and taste in real time, and then answer questions about. The “easy” part is that you know the wines beforehand, and since I was well-versed in the kind of questions they may ask, I reviewed all the possible ways to answer them, though during the online exam, I was tasting, notating, and writing arguments in real time, without any notes. But also, the questions weren’t as all-consuming as I’d prepared for. So, ironically, I felt comfortable, thorough, and appropriate with my answers.
I call it ironic, because usually the Practical portion of the actual exam is universally more difficult for candidates to conquer. In fairness, they give you TWICE as much time during the application exam than you will have during any “real” exam, and I will say – it was LUXURIOUS! (Not that I ever want to sit what would be a 4.5 hour tasting exam, but I loved the extra breathing room. It gave me a chance to make sure my answers were precise, logical, and well-organized.) And it’s very easy to write a practical exam when you know what the wines are! Versus in reality when you have zero clue, adding a whole ‘nother factor. But this time I confidently knew what, and how, to say things.
For theory, I was worried my randomly-generated three options (to choose one from) would all be topics I was weaker on. And there was one question that I immediately said, "NOPE" to. But the other two were topics I knew I could write about, and one I had a bunch of good examples for, so I was able to come up with an essay that made a lot of points supported by real world examples, and hopefully without any "groaner" misstatements! Good start, methinks.
2. There is a beauty in having failed MW before.
I have met so many candidates and hopefuls over the past four years in and out of the program. Quite a few of them have an almost manic intensity to them – because there’s a lot riding on this. They may be able to get a dream job, or they may not want to let a current employer down. Or they may have a very high opinion of their knowledge and experience. There is (friendly?) competition between candidates to identify better, argue better, recall better, have better examples, write better essays. Most people are strongly aware of their weak spots, and palpably fearful of embarrassment if they fail.
Guess what – I’ve ALREADY failed!
That has afforded such a lightness about me, if I F it all up (again,) ok then, it was definitely not meant to be, but I know I’m still a super-smart Wineau, and it doesn’t reflect on me as a good human. Honestly, my bar is very low – I just want to get through to Stage 2. (Hopefully on the first try.) But whatever happens, I’m good. I see every new nugget of learning and achievement as a bonus. Boy, does this give me a freedom from a lot of the pressure.
3. I’m here for “the right reasons.”
Yes I watch the Bachelor. ;) Seriously, being in and then out of the program makes me crystal clear about why I’m wanting to re-up. There’s scuttlebutt about “MW tourists,” people who get in, and then linger kind of as long as possible without putting in the real work to pass, so they can at least tell folks they’re MW students. Eh, whatever. Most folks I’ve met appear to be genuine. Some may plow ahead just to earn the credential. But for me, second go-around, I’m not in this merely to say I’m in it, or solely to receive a post-nominal. Oh sure, that would be amazing, but I truly want to squeeze the most out of what MWs and producers and my fellow students will share with me. In fact, that’s pretty much all I want. When I say I wasn’t finished before, I mean that I feel like I only scratched the surface of what these high-level interactions could provide. I can’t wait for more of them.
4. I’ve fine-tuned and organized my notes.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve refreshed and revamped my notes over the past four years, I could fly round-trip to Champagne first class. Twice.
My first go-around, I told people that the first year of being in the program is LEARNING how to BE in the program. Sure, some arrive with a precise set of circumstances and knowledge to find early success, but most of us fumble around a lot. If you look at the enormity of what you’re expected to know, it’s like a mountain of notes that can bury you.
Now, I’ve learned there is no secret formula for a right answer, but there are elements that are necessary. And a lot of stuff you can play the odds on and skim past. But it’s not about learning everything about everything, or figuring out how to game the system, it’s about learning the most about what you need to know. I’m still fine-tuning, but it’s much less overwhelming. If things go to plan, I’ll have the majority of my notes outlined and condensed by the time I re-join the program. Then it’s just memorize, amplify, contextualize!
# # #
Boy, I wish I was at the place where I am now when I first applied. (This isn’t a cheap pursuit; I would have saved a ton of money.) But I also believe things happen the way they’re supposed to. I HAD to go through the past four years to be able to be where I am now.
Will I ultimately be successful? Many supportive friends are adamant I’ve “got this!” and I appreciate their enthusiasm. But it’s not at all a sure thing. Only ~3% of candidates pass and become a MW. Those are miserable odds. I see the smarts and experience of some candidates that I may never achieve. But I am excited to get the chance to be once again in the mix.
This time, I have vowed to be super-transparent throughout the journey. If you have questions, just post below, I'm happy to answer them! Acceptance (or not) happens early September. I'll keep you posted.
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