Although I have been accepted to the Masters of Wine Study Programme for almost a month, I have really started to study yet.  In the last few days, I finally started to look at the examination paper to understand what is expected from the examination.  After looking at the paper, I really have little confidence.  The following is one of the paper of 2007 Practical Examination.  The questions asked for identifying grape varieties (including blend), regions (which can be as detailed down to village level in Burgundy), level of quality (e.g. village, premier cru or grand cru appellation in Burgundy), vintage and winemaking methods.  With so many wine regions and grape varieties, this is a really serious challenge and how much I have to drink and memorize to pass!

Q1. Wines 1 – 4 are from the same vintage, from Burgundy. a) Identify the vintage, giving reasons with reference to each wine.  Then, for each wine: b) Identify the origin as closely as possible. c) Assess the quality of the wine. Comment on the winemaking.

Q2. Wines 5 and 6 are blends of more than one grape variety. They come from different countries. They have one grape variety in common. For both wines together: a) Identify the common grape variety. Also consider the other variety/ies within each wine. b) Identify the origin of each wine as closely as possible. c) Assess the quality and relative maturity of the two wines. d) Assess the place of each wine in the global market place.

Q3. Wines 7 and 8 are blends of more than one grape variety. They come from different countries. They have one grape variety in common. For both wines together: a) Identify the common grape variety. Also consider the other variety/ies within each wine. b) Identify the origin of each wine as closely as possible. c) Assess the quality of the two wines. d) Assess the potential for development of both wines.

Q4. Wines 9-12 are made from different single grape varieties. For each wine: a) Identify the grape variety as closely as possible. b) Identify the origin of the wine. c) Assess the quality and maturity.

1 Bourgogne, Clos du Château, Château de Puligny Montrachet 2004 – Burgundy France
2 Pouilly Vinzelles, Soufrandière, Bret Bros 2004 – Burgundy France
3 Chablis 1er Cru, Mont de Milieu, Droin 2004 – Burgundy France
4 Meursault, Arnaud Ente 2004 – Burgundy France
5 Domaine de Chevalier, Grand Cru Classé 2003 – Pessac-Léognan France
6 Semillon-Chardonnay, Cawarra, Lindemans 2006 – SE Australia Australia
7 Domaine Chaume Arnaud, Vinsobres Blanc 2005 – Rhône Valley France
8 Viognier-Chardonnay, Bien Nacido, Qupe 2005 – Santa Maria, California USA
9 Gewurztraminer, Gesetz, Rieffel 2004 – Alsace France
10 Torrontes, Crios de Susana Balbo 2006 – Cafayate Argentina
11 Vesevo, Greco di Tufo 2005 – Campania Italy
12 Condrieu, Pierre Gaillard 2005 – Rhône Valley France

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