MW exam 2016: the wines

Whether you are thinking of becoming a Master of Wine or just curious, we have listed the wines that this year’s candidates had to identify in last week’s MW exams.

The Master of Wine (MW) exam consists of two components: a Theory and Practical element, with the latter comprising three blind wine tastings on three consecutive mornings.

Each tasting exam (dubbed Paper 1, 2 and 3) contains 12 wines, and a series of questions regarding where they come from, what grapes they are made from, as well as how they are made, where they might be sold, and other things, like their abvs and sugar content.

Aside from the challenge of identifying the wines, and then answering questions about them – which involves carefully structuring a sensibly argued response – one has to be quick: candidates are given 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the paper, giving them 11 minutes per wine.

Despite the challenge of the MW examination (aside from the morning tasting, candidates must complete a series of essay-based papers in the afternoon) 2016 saw a record number of students take the Theory and Practical element of the MW Examination from 7-10 June in London, San Francisco and Sydney.

Historically, Paper 1 has covered still white wines; Paper 2 has covered still red wines; and Paper 3 (traditionally known as ‘the mixed bag’) has covered a wide range including sparkling wines, fortified wines, and rosés.

The 2016 Practical Paper 3 included Champagne, Sherry, Port, Madeira, Tokaji and Sauternes, and the wines in each tasting are shown over the following pages, followed by the questions candidates that were asked about them.

PRACTICAL PAPER 1

The wines:

1. Château Brown. 2013. Pessac Léognan, Bordeaux, France (13.5%)
2. Châteauneuf du Pape, Domaine Vieux Telegraph Blanc. 2014. Rhône Valley, France (13.5%)
3. Chardonnay, Clos du Bois. 2014. California, USA (13.5%)
4. Chardonnay, Kistler McCrea Vineyard. 2013. Sonoma Mountain, California, USA (14.1%)
5. Clos Windsbuhl Pinot Gris, Domaine Zind Humbrecht. 2013. Alsace, France (14.5%)
6. Pinot Gris, Ponzi. 2014. Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA. (13.1%)
7. Acodo White Rioja, Basilio Izquierdo. 2010. Rioja, Spain (13.5%)
8. Albariño, Bodegas de Fefinanes. 2014. Rías Baixas, Spain (12.5%)
9. Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontés, Dominio del Plata. 2015. Argentina (13.9%)
10. Gewürztraminer, Waimea. 2014. Nelson, New Zealand (13.5%)
11. Vouvray, Domaine Marc Brédif. 2013. Loire Valley, France (12.5%)
12. Riesling, Ried Schütt, Dürnsteiner, Emmerich Knoll. 2012. Wachau, Austria (13.5%)

The questions:

QUESTION 1

Wines 1 and 2 are from the same country. They are both blends.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the region of origin as closely as possible, comment with reference to the grape varieties used. (2×10 marks)
2. b) Comment on quality within the context of the region of origin. (2×10 marks)
3. c) Discuss the key winemaking techniques used to arrive at this style. (2×5 marks)

QUESTION 2

Wines 3 and 4 are from the same country and the same grape variety.

With reference to both wines:

1. a) Identify the grape variety and origin(s) as closely as possible. (16 marks)
2. b) Discuss winemaking with particular reference to maturation post fermentation. (14 marks)
3. c) Comment on quality within the context of the region of origin. (20 marks)

QUESTION 3

Wines 5 and 6 are made from the same grape variety.

With reference to both wines:

1. a) Identify the grape variety. (20 marks)

For each wine:

1. b) Identify the region of origin as closely as possible. (2×8 marks)
2. c) Discuss style and commercial appeal. (2×7 marks)

QUESTION 4

Wines 7 and 8 come from the same country.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (2×10 marks)
2. b) Comment on the winemaking. (2×8 marks)
3. c) Discuss style and quality. (2×7 marks)

QUESTION 5

Wines 9-12 are from four different countries and are made from four different grape varieties.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the grape variety. (4×8 marks)
2. b) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (4×7 marks)
3. c) Comment on quality and state of maturity. (4×10 marks)

PRACTICAL PAPER 2

The wines:

1. Morgon, Domaine Lapierre. 2014. Beaujolais, France (12%)
2. Moulin À Vent Clos de Rochegrès, Château des Jacques Domaine Louis Jadot. 2014. Beaujolais, France (13%)
3. Pinot Noir, Dog Point. 2012. Marlborough, New Zealand (14%)
4. Spätburgunder Blauschiefer, Meyer-Näkel. 2014. Ahr, Germany (13.5%)
5. Pinot Noir, Tyrrell’s Old Winery. 2014. Australia (12.5%)
6. Château Léoville Barton, 2me Cru Classé. 2005. St Julien, Bordeaux, France (13%)
7. Château Berliquet, Grand Cru. 2005. St Emilion, Bordeaux, France (13.5%)
8. Côte Rôtie, La Barbarine, Domaine Gangloff. 2011. Rhône Valley, France (13%)
9. Châteauneuf du Pape, Clos des Papes. 2011. Rhône Valley, France (15%)
10. Malbec, Colomé. 2013. Salta, Argentina (14.5%)
11. Blaufränkisch, Moric. 2011. Burgenland, Austria (13.5%)
12. Tributo Carménère, Caliterra. 2013. Colchagua, Chile (14%)

QUESTION 1

Wines 1 and 2 come from the same region and are made from the same single grape variety.

With reference to both wines:

1. a) Identify the grape variety and origin as closely as possible. (18 marks)
2. b) Compare the winemaking styles. (18 marks)
3. c) Compare quality, with particular reference to both wines’ potential evolution.

(14 marks)

QUESTION 2

Wines 3–5 are not from France and are all made from the same single grape variety.

With reference to all three wines:

1. a) Identify the grape variety as closely as possible. (15 marks)

For each wine:

1. b) Identify the origin as closely as possible, with particular reference to the climate. (3×10 marks)
2. c) Comment on quality and consider key selling points. (3×10 marks)

QUESTION 3

Wines 6 and 7 come from the same region and the same vintage.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the specific origin as closely as possible, with particular reference to the dominant grape variety. (2×9 marks)

With reference to both wines:

1. b) Discuss the relative quality of both wines within the context of their specific region. (18 marks)
2. c) Identify the vintage. (14 marks)

QUESTION 4

Wines 8 and 9 come from the same region.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (2×9 marks)
2. b) Discuss quality within the context of the specific region. (2×9 marks)
3. c) Discuss the key winemaking techniques used to arrive at this style. (2×7 marks)

QUESTION 5

Wines 10–12 come from three different single grape varieties, each closely associated with their origin.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the origin as closely as possible, with particular reference to the grape variety used. (3×12 marks)
2. b) Discuss the key winemaking techniques used to arrive at this style. (3×6 marks)
3. c) How would you sell this wine to a potential customer? (3×7 marks)

PRACTICAL PAPER 3

The wines:

1. ‘Initial’ Blanc de Blancs, Jacques Selosse. N.V. Champagne, France (12%)
2. Blanc de Blancs, Pol Roger. 2006. Champagne, France (12.5%)
3. Puligny Montrachet Vieilles Vignes, Vincent Girardin. 2013. Burgundy, France (13%)
4. Chardonnay, Vidal Legacy. 2014. Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (13.5%)
5. Mâcon Blanc Villages, M&B Talmard. 2014. Burgundy, France (13%)
6. Palo Cortado, Cayetano del Pino y Cia. N.V. Jerez, Spain (20%)
7. 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Graham’s. Douro, Portugal (20%)
8. 10 Year Old Sercial, Henriques & Henriques. Madeira, Portugal (20%)
9. Tokaji Aszú, 6 Puttonyos, Royal Tokay Wine Company. 2011. Tokaj, Hungary (9%)
10. Château Guiraud, 1er Cru Classé. 2001. Sauternes, Bordeaux, France (13.5%)
11. Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Campi Magri, Corte Sant’Alda. 2012. Veneto, Italy (13.5%)
12. Recioto della Valpolicella, Corte Sant’Alda. 2013. Veneto, Italy (14.5%)

QUESTION 1

Wines 1–5 are all made from the same single grape variety.

For each wine:

1. a) Discuss winemaking, with particular reference to oak. (5×10 marks)
2. b) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (5×8 marks)
3. c) Comment on quality and commercial appeal. (5×7 marks)

QUESTION 2

Wines 6–8 are all fortified.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (3×10 marks)
2. b) Discuss the key winemaking techniques used to arrive at this style. (3×10 marks)
3. c) Comment on quality and maturity. (3×5 marks)

QUESTION 3

Wines 9 and 10 are from different countries.

For each wine:

1. a) Identify the origin as closely as possible, with particular reference to the grape varieties used. (2×10 marks)
2. b) Discuss the key winemaking techniques used to arrive at this style. (2×10 marks)
3. c) Comment on quality and maturity. (2×5 marks)

QUESTION 4

Wines 11 and 12 come from the same region and producer.

With reference to both wines:

1. a) Identify the origin as closely as possible. (20 marks)
2. b) Discuss the key winemaking techniques used to arrive at these styles. (20 marks)
3. c) Discuss how the styles of these wines determine their commercial appeal. (10 marks)