Tag Archives: Court of Master Sommeliers

The Plan Part Deux: Wine exam addictions

Leave a reply

Hi! My name is Kristina and I’m a test addict.

In school, I would often score in the 98th percentile of tests, only to later coast through my studies and get mostly B’s on my report cards.

Fast forward to today and it’s easy to see why I’m burned out from my MW studies. Shocking, I know. Not being in the program this year is painful because I’m not getting any feedback on my progress. I still meet with my tasting group every week, but even that feels stagnant.

This is how I justify a not-so-slight change in my plans. My ego needs to pass a test.

Certified Wine Educator

I passed the Certified Specialist in Wine exam by the Society of Wine Educators about ten years ago, but I didn’t pursue the higher designation of Certified Wine Educator. I was already making some pretty good money teaching wine classes around town, so I didn’t see the need. In any case, I had some issues with the structure of the exam, plus I was working toward a WSET diploma, which is no small feat.

CWE books

Books – CHECK! Notebook – CHECK! Plan – CHECK!

Now that I’m working in my dream job, I can justify taking a crack at the CWE exam. I’m nervous because this test seems to focus more on rote memorization, whereas the MW is more about a global understanding of the business of wine. Of course, memorization may be a good thing: I struggle to name more than three subregions of South Africa. Or are they called wards? Or districts? I know, embarrassing, isn’t it?

Preparing for the Exam

Right now, I’m aiming for an exam date in August late May (I know!!  But I have some vacation time coming up!  Lemme try!!). I’m preparing for the CWE exams by working through the CSW Study Guide and Workbook (which have vastly improved since the late-2000s version), and I’m supplementing my studies with the Oxford Companion to Wine, Exploring Wine from the CIA, and GuildSomm.

I also need to get back into maps, and because the CWE exams include a teaching component, I’m going to commit to teaching you in some of the areas I’m weakest at. What are my weak points, you ask? Oh, pretty much all of the New World!
At the same time, I just completed the Italian Wine Professional Level 2 program—and passed, yippee! I’m also picking up the Italian Wine Scholar course (see comments above). I’m still meeting weekly with my MW tasting group, but my MW-specific studies are taking a backseat to my CWE studies, which will help me reground myself in the core of wine knowledge.

So that’s my new plan! Honestly, I can’t tell if I’m procrastinating or if this modified plan will actually help me, but it’s worth a shot! Wish me luck!

What are you studying for right now?

Why should you learn about wine?

Leave a reply
(Cliff's Notes version of wine tasting)

(Cliff’s Notes version of wine tasting)

Ok, no, you don’t have to.  You don’t need to learn about wine in order to enjoy it.  I mean, you didn’t need to take a course on potato chips in order to be able to distinguish kettle cooked chips and BBQ Lays.  I know you can tell me — with certainty — if a wine you’re drinking is delicious to you or not.  I get it.

But hear me out – the world of wine keeps getting larger, not smaller.  The United States represents one of the largest wine markets in the world so we benefit from a unending parade of new wines from the New World and rediscoveries of Old World favorites.  Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to distinguish between all these wines?  Or at least, wouldn’t it stir you a little to describe why you like a certain wine?  Have the confidence to describe what you like about a wine so you can find new ones to try?

Not only is learning about wine a delicious way to spend your time, but this education will be a never-ending journey.  Or as my friend Rodolphe says “Wine education is like barbecue, dessert, information and credit – it’s impossible to have too much”.

So whether you are looking to change careers, are already in the trade, or just have wine addiction hobby and you’re ready to take it to the next level, here’s a list of (admittedly, NYC-centric) places I recommend where you can learn more about wine recreationally and professionally:

Resources around New York City:

Astor Center – Focuses on wine, spirits/cocktails, saké, and food!

Brooklyn Winery – An actual working winery that has affordable and fun courses aimed at the budding wine enthusiast

International Wine Center – they are the local provider for the WSET courses (see Wine & Spirit Education Trust below).

Amanti Vino – (in Montclair, NJ ) also conducts WSET classes as well as a whole host of classes that last just one evening.

TheThirstyRedhead.com – this is where you can find upcoming classes led by yours truly.

Other resources to check out:

LocalWineEvents.com – just like it sounds.  I love this site.

Society of Wine Educators – awards a number of certifications after passing exams in both wine and spirits (held all over the country).  Excellent study guides.

French Wine Society – yes the focus is French, but the online continuing education workshops (members only) are focused on a broad variety of useful topics (like the ‘Science Behind Food & Wine Pairing’ or ‘Soil & Wine: what do we really know’).

Internationally recognized wine educators (for more professional training):

Wine & Spirit Education Trust – based in the UK, they provides courses and qualifications to both consumers and trade.  This is an excellent grounding that is best for really engaged consumers or professionals looking to hone their wine skills.

Court of Master Sommeliers – clearly more emphasis on the restaurant trade, but they provide entry-level courses that I think are appropriate for a wide audience.  Their highest designation is the Master Sommelier, of which there are only 220 worldwide (as of this writing).

Institute of Masters of Wine – considered the most rigorous wine exams, consisting of four five days (beginning in 2015) of essays and blind tastings followed by a dissertation.  As of this writing there are 312 Masters of Wine, living in 24 different countries.  I’m crazy enough to be a candidate in this program.

 

Of course the best way to learn about wine is just to get out there and taste with an open mind.  Tough work, but I’m sure you can manage.