上星期的葡萄酒大師考試，令我完全沒有時間，也沒有心情寫博客。現在過了考試，希望可以勤力點，寫多些。
由於我只是第一年，考試只是一天。上午十二杯葡萄酒盲品，下午考理論。雖然只是一天，但已經非常疲倦。如果能夠成功通過第一年，以後的考試將會連續四天，真不敢想像那種壓力和所須的精力。
第一年的理論試，只須作答兩條題目。第一條是必答題。第二條二選一。單看題目，可能會覺得問題不算太深，但其實難度在於對答案的要求。答案不單只須要有很好的文章結構，更須要有很全面的內容，和有各個獨到的例子解釋你的內容。最可怕的是，甚麼和葡萄酒有關的內容都可能出現。自問未達標！
SECTION ‘A’ – COMPULSORY QUESTION
1. Is the wine industry a wise investment? (Paper 3)
SECTION ‘B’ – CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO QUESTIONS
2. Why might a winemaker want to adjust sugar, acidity and tannin levels in a wine, and how can this be done? (Paper 1)
OR
3. Why are producers concerned with pH in wine post-fermentation? Discuss with regard to stability and quality. (Paper 2)
實踐試有十二杯葡萄酒。在今天，要成功辦認葡萄品種和地區，即使葡萄酒大師的考試官也知道有時候會非常困難。原因是很多葡萄酒的釀造方法太國際化。因此所有葡萄酒都會以一組一組的形式出題。十二杯葡萄酒，總算有一半完全估中。但估中只是小部分，更重要的是能夠充分準確地解釋答案。無論如何，希望能夠合格。
Wine 1: 2011 Sancerre Cuvee Silex, Domaine Serge Laloue, Loire – Sauvignon Blanc (我估的答案 Loire’s Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc)
Wine 2: 2011 Muscadet de Sevre et Maine sur Lie, Domaine de Tourmaline, Loire – Melon de Bourgogne (我估的答案 Loire’s Melon de Bourgogne)
Wine 3: 2009 Coteaux du Layon Carte d’Or, Domaine des Baumards, Loire – Chenin Blanc (我估的答案 Loire’s Chenin Blanc)
Wine 4: 2012 Finca Flichmann Gestos Malbec, Argentina – Melbec (我估的答案 Bordeaux AOC’s Merlot based)
Wine 5: 2001 St Supèry Merlot, Napa Valley – Merlot (我估的答案 Napa Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon)
Wine 6: Santa Rita Medalla Real, Maipo, Chile – Cabernet Sauvignon (我估的答案 Australia Victoria’s Cabernet Sauvignon)
Wine 7: 2010 St Joseph Clos de Cuminaille, Domaine Pierre Gaillard, St-Joseph, Northern Rhone – Syrah (我估的答案 Northern Rhone Corna’s Syrah)
Wine 8: 2010 Peter Lehmann Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia – Shiraz (我估的答案 Chile’s Shiraz)
Wine 9: 2010 Diemersdal Shiraz, Durbanville, S. Africa – Shiraz (我估的答案 Barossa Valley’s Shiraz)
Wine 10: NV Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla, Jerez, Spain - Palomino Fino (瓶酒有問題，令我完全不知這是甚麼！)
Wine 11: NV Hidalgo Napoleon Amontillado Seco, Jerez, Spain - Palomino Fino (我估的答案 Sherry Amontillado’s Palomino Fino)
Wine 12: NV Smith Woodhouse 10 year old Tawny, Douro, Portugal – Port blend (我估的答案 10 Years Tawny Port’s Port Blend)
Wines 1-3 are from the same region of origin.
For each wine
a) Identify the specific origin as closely as possible. (3×10)
b) Identify the grape variety/ ies. (3×6)
c) Comment on the winemaking. (3×4)
d) Comment on the quality and maturity. (3×5)
Wines 4-6 are from 3 different countries. Each is made from a red variety permitted in Bordeaux.
For each wine
a) Identify the region of origin and grape variety. (3×12)
b) Comment on the quality and maturity. (3×8)
c) Comment on the winemaking. (3×5)
Wines 7-9 are made from the same single variety and come from 3 different countries.
With reference to all 3 wines
a) Identify the variety. (15)
Then for each wine
b) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (3×10)
c) Comment on the quality and style, making reference to commercial
appeal. (3×10)
Wines 10-12 are fortified
For each wine
a) Identify the country and region of origin as closely as possible, giving reasons. (3×8)
b) Comment on the method of production. (3×8)
c) State the alcohol percentage by volume. (3×2)
d) Comment on the quality and maturity. (3×7)