MW - Exam Study Information

Question 1

An assessment of a wine’s ‘current state of maturity’ must include a reference to what?

Answer 1

• approximate age potential for future development, be that positive or negative
• it is also helpful to give a bracket (2 to 3 years old), unless dealing with a classic area,
• and then a specific vintage consideration must be argued

Question 2

An assessment of a wine’s ‘development curve’ must include a reference to what?

Answer 2

Think about a wine’s capacity to develop and then potential to hold.

Question 3

An assessment of a wine’s ‘relative maturity’ must include a reference to what?

Answer 3

Not only the wine’s ageing potential, but also its actual age

Question 4

Can you abbreviate regional names or grape varieties?

Answer 4

No, use the complete and proper name of the grape or the region.

Question 5

For a 12 wine set, how many marks do you average per wine?

Answer 5

25, although each question is slightly different

Question 6

For a 12 wine set, how many minutes per wine do you have?

Answer 6

7.5 minutes per wine, but need to work faster

Question 7

For a question that asks ‘to compare and contrast relative quality’ what needs to be considered?

Answer 7

• relative concentration
• complexity
• tannin
• relative maturity level

Question 8

For a wine that is dry, what is the acceptable way to mention this?

Answer 8

less than 5g/L

Question 9

For what wines would the terms “oxidised”, “oxidative” or “volatile” be appropriate?”

Answer 9

Orange Wines, for instance

Question 10

How many marks and time are there per 12 wine set?

Answer 10

300 marks 135 minutes

Question 11

How should arguments for Origin and Grape Variety be structured?

Answer 11

Primary evidence leads followed by evidence that supports the conclusion

conclude with evidence that is consistent

Question 12

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Account for

Answer 12

Give a clear explanation of something and evaluate (possible) causes/reasons.

Question 13

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Define

Answer 13

Explain the exact meaning of a word or phrase

Question 14

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Prove

Answer 14

Show something is accurate/true/valid by using facts, documents and/or other information to build your case.

Question 15

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Analyse

Answer 15

Examine the topic by divinding it into parts and looking at each part in detail; form judgements about each element and the whole.

Question 16

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Argue

Answer 16

Provide reasons for and/or against something. In an appropriate order, citing evidence, which may be other people’s research, or other kinds of facts/information.

Question 17

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Assess

Answer 17

Judge the significance of something, referring to the special knowledge of experts wherever possible (i.e. referring to/quoting from other people’s work).

Question 18

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Comment on

Answer 18

Give your own opinion about something, supported by reasons and evidence.

Question 19

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Compare

Answer 19

Examine one thing in relation to something else, to emphasise points of difference or similarity.

Question 20

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Criticise

Answer 20

Give your judgements about the good and/or bad qualities of theories/opinions supporting your decisions with reasons and evidence.

Question 21

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Describe

Answer 21

Give a full account or detailed representation of something

Question 22

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Discuss

Answer 22

Consider something by writing about it from different points of view with supporting evidence.

Question 23

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Enumerate

Answer 23

List and mention items seperately in number order

Question 24

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Evaluate

Answer 24

Calculate the value/effectiveness of a theory/decision/object etc. including your own opinion, and supporting each point with evidence.

Question 25

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Examine

Answer 25

Look at or into critically or methodically in order to find out the facts of something; investigate; inspect; scrutinize; inquire into and test by carefully questioning.

Question 26

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Explain

Answer 26

Give reasons for or account for something, so it is clear/easy to understand.

Question 27

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Illustrate

Answer 27

Use examples or diagrams to explain something.

Question 28

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Interpret

Answer 28

Give your own opinion of the significance of something (give reasons/evidence wherever possible).

Question 29

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Justify

Answer 29

Give good reasons for decisions or conclusions, perhaps by referring to other texts.

Question 30

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Outline

Answer 30

Give the main features, facts, or general idea of something, omitting minor details.

Question 31

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Reconcile

Answer 31

Show how apparently conflicting things can appear similar or compatible.

Question 32

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Relate

Answer 32

Establish how things are connected or associated, how they affect each other or how they are alike.

Question 33

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Review

Answer 33

To examine an area and examine it critically.

Question 34

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Show

Answer 34

Explain something giving evidence or examples to establish a strong case.

Question 35

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Summarise

Answer 35

Give a brief, concise account of the main points of something (leaving out details).

Question 36

In essay writing, what does the following mean: Trace

Answer 36

Follow the cause or stages in development of something.

Question 37

In essay writing, what does the following mean: State

Answer 37

Put something clearly and concisely

Question 38

Most winemaking adjustments should be avoided in the answers with the exception of what style?

Answer 38

Fortified wine styles (ie: the alcohols are adjusted during the winemaking process)

Question 39

Should acid levels be described or is simply stating “medium–plus” acceptable?

Answer 39

No. Not acceptible.

Always need to compliment any description with a stated reference, such as crisp or brisk for acid, and fine–grained or firm, for tannin.

Question 40

What are some clear definitions of commercial positioning tiers?

Answer 40

• entry level
• mid–market
• expensive style

this will then lead to the argument of leading to the appropriate route to market

Question 41

What is the acronym to use for quality?

Answer 41

• Balance
• Length
• Intensity
• Concentration
• Complexity
• Ageability

Question 42

What is the difference between Sherry and Jerez?

Answer 42

Sherry is the wine, Jerez is the region it comes from

Question 43

What kind of sentences should be used?

Answer 43

Short, make an observation and then back it up with evidence from the glass.

Question 44

What kind of thought needs to be demonstrated?

Answer 44

Rigorous and ordered

Question 45

What kind of writing style should be used for practical?

Answer 45

Simple and paired down – no prose

Question 46

What points should be argued for questions dealing with OAK?

Answer 46

at what stage the oak is used (fermentation, maturation) physical form of the oak – vessel, staves, chips (often these differences are difficult to assess in the glass but can be inferred using quality assessment to indicate which option is likely) origin – US, French, other toast – light, medium, heavy age – new, 2nd fill, old length of time

Question 47

What points should be argued for questions dealing with WINEMAKING?

Answer 47

style – dry, RS, fortified, sparkling fruit ripeness and cleanliness/lack of rot picking date blend f varieties or single variety protective or oxidative techniques fermentation temperature fermentation period fermentation vessel carbonic maceration pump–over/punch down/other post fermentation maceration MFL lees aging battonage oak regime – size, type, origin, age, toast, time finishing – filtered, fined or unfiltered single year or blend of years maturation – non–oxidative bottle, oxidative – oak, inert, how long before release

Question 48

What points should be argued for longer questions dealing with COMMERCIAL APPEAL / CONSIDERATION?

Answer 48

style food–matching channel possibilities bottle sizes (cannot be tasted, though) packaging (cannot be tasted though) value for money ways to attract younger drinkers essentially other important market considerations

Question 49

What points should be argued for questions dealing with COMMERCIAL APPEAL / CONSIDERATION?

Answer 49

These questions typically require a consideration of how a given wine/wines can be marketed most successfully, always referring to evidence int he glass.

Question 50

What points should be argued for questions dealing with ORIGIN?

Answer 50

color fruit character acid alcohol body and weight tannin structure flavor definition style vinification techniques that are noticeable in the glass maturation techniques that are noticeable in the glass varietal character and varietal /location logic typicity quality level

Question 51

What points should be argued for questions dealing with QUALITY?

Answer 51

varietal definition texture balance and structure length and persistence intensity and concentration complexity oak treatment (if relevant) evolution in glass potential for further development position within AOC or market

Question 52

What points should be argued for questions dealing with STYLE?

Answer 52

color fruit character acid alcohol flavor definition dry, RS, fortified, sparkling typicity ripeness use of oak bottle aging influence best with food – drink on its own winemaker intention (drink now – cellaring) overall quality

Question 53

What points should be argued for questions dealing with VARIETY?

Answer 53

Color Fruit character on the nose and palate Acid Alcohol Residual Sugar Grape Tannin texture Weight Affinity with oak Style

Question 54

What points should be argued for questions dealing with VINTAGE/MATURITY?

Answer 54

color intensity color gradation presence or absence of sediment fruit character acidity alcohol tertiary aroma development balance integration tannin structure and development potential for further development nature of the finish

Question 55

What should a good quality argument always end with?

Answer 55

A concluding statement about how good (or not) the wine is within the context of the quality level to which it has been ascribed.

Question 56

What should be the last thing in a funneled answer?

Answer 56

always end in a positive reason for the identification

Question 57

What terminology and names should be used?

Answer 57

ones that are relevant to the wine and region of production

Question 58

What things should be mentioned with regard to oak use?

Answer 58

type vessel size age of the oak toasting level of the oak

Question 59

What wines can be shown on the practical?

Answer 59

often the classics are the focus, but any wine can be shown

Question 60

When asked for identification as closely as possible” question, what should you do?”

Answer 60

Drill down as closely as the quality of the wine will allow – paying attention to: the country the region and/or appellation of production

Question 61

When do you use consistent with”?”

Answer 61

Limited. Only use when sure the logic and argument is consistent. Always need detail and points to justify scores.

Question 62

When should SO2 or CO2 be mentioned in an answer?

Answer 62

only if you can taste or smell them

Question 63

Where do you need to state the answers for the questions?

Answer 63

At the top, and then support with evidence and conclusion

Question 64

Which facts should be stated first, and which should come later?

Answer 64

most relevant first, lesser consistent with” facts tacked on the end”