MW - Exam Study Information Flashcards
An assessment of a wine’s ‘current state of maturity’ must include a reference to what?
- 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
An assessment of a wine’s ‘development curve’ must include a reference to what?
Think about a wine’s capacity to develop and then potential to hold.
An assessment of a wine’s ‘relative maturity’ must include a reference to what?
Not only the wine’s ageing potential, but also its actual age
Can you abbreviate regional names or grape varieties?
No, use the complete and proper name of the grape or the region.
For a 12 wine set, how many marks do you average per wine?
25, although each question is slightly different
For a 12 wine set, how many minutes per wine do you have?
7.5 minutes per wine, but need to work faster
For a question that asks ‘to compare and contrast relative quality’ what needs to be considered?
- relative concentration
- complexity
- tannin
- relative maturity level
For a wine that is dry, what is the acceptable way to mention this?
less than 5g/L
For what wines would the terms “oxidised”, “oxidative” or “volatile” be appropriate?”
Orange Wines, for instance
How many marks and time are there per 12 wine set?
300 marks 135 minutes
How should arguments for Origin and Grape Variety be structured?
Primary evidence leads followed by evidence that supports the conclusion
conclude with evidence that is consistent
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Account for
Give a clear explanation of something and evaluate (possible) causes/reasons.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Define
Explain the exact meaning of a word or phrase
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Prove
Show something is accurate/true/valid by using facts, documents and/or other information to build your case.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Analyse
Examine the topic by divinding it into parts and looking at each part in detail; form judgements about each element and the whole.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Argue
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.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Assess
Judge the significance of something, referring to the special knowledge of experts wherever possible (i.e. referring to/quoting from other people’s work).
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Comment on
Give your own opinion about something, supported by reasons and evidence.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Compare
Examine one thing in relation to something else, to emphasise points of difference or similarity.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Criticise
Give your judgements about the good and/or bad qualities of theories/opinions supporting your decisions with reasons and evidence.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Describe
Give a full account or detailed representation of something
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Discuss
Consider something by writing about it from different points of view with supporting evidence.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Enumerate
List and mention items seperately in number order
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Evaluate
Calculate the value/effectiveness of a theory/decision/object etc. including your own opinion, and supporting each point with evidence.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Examine
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.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Explain
Give reasons for or account for something, so it is clear/easy to understand.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Illustrate
Use examples or diagrams to explain something.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Interpret
Give your own opinion of the significance of something (give reasons/evidence wherever possible).
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Justify
Give good reasons for decisions or conclusions, perhaps by referring to other texts.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Outline
Give the main features, facts, or general idea of something, omitting minor details.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Reconcile
Show how apparently conflicting things can appear similar or compatible.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Relate
Establish how things are connected or associated, how they affect each other or how they are alike.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Review
To examine an area and examine it critically.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Show
Explain something giving evidence or examples to establish a strong case.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Summarise
Give a brief, concise account of the main points of something (leaving out details).
In essay writing, what does the following mean: Trace
Follow the cause or stages in development of something.
In essay writing, what does the following mean: State
Put something clearly and concisely
Most winemaking adjustments should be avoided in the answers with the exception of what style?
Fortified wine styles (ie: the alcohols are adjusted during the winemaking process)
Should acid levels be described or is simply stating “medium–plus” acceptable?
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.
What are some clear definitions of commercial positioning tiers?
- entry level
- mid–market
- expensive style
this will then lead to the argument of leading to the appropriate route to market
What is the acronym to use for quality?
- Balance
- Length
- Intensity
- Concentration
- Complexity
- Ageability
What is the difference between Sherry and Jerez?
Sherry is the wine, Jerez is the region it comes from
What kind of sentences should be used?
Short, make an observation and then back it up with evidence from the glass.
What kind of thought needs to be demonstrated?
Rigorous and ordered
What kind of writing style should be used for practical?
Simple and paired down – no prose
What points should be argued for questions dealing with OAK?
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
What points should be argued for questions dealing with WINEMAKING?
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
What points should be argued for longer questions dealing with COMMERCIAL APPEAL / CONSIDERATION?
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
What points should be argued for questions dealing with COMMERCIAL APPEAL / CONSIDERATION?
These questions typically require a consideration of how a given wine/wines can be marketed most successfully, always referring to evidence int he glass.
What points should be argued for questions dealing with ORIGIN?
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
What points should be argued for questions dealing with QUALITY?
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
What points should be argued for questions dealing with STYLE?
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
What points should be argued for questions dealing with VARIETY?
Color Fruit character on the nose and palate Acid Alcohol Residual Sugar Grape Tannin texture Weight Affinity with oak Style
What points should be argued for questions dealing with VINTAGE/MATURITY?
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
What should a good quality argument always end with?
A concluding statement about how good (or not) the wine is within the context of the quality level to which it has been ascribed.
What should be the last thing in a funneled answer?
always end in a positive reason for the identification
What terminology and names should be used?
ones that are relevant to the wine and region of production
What things should be mentioned with regard to oak use?
type vessel size age of the oak toasting level of the oak
What wines can be shown on the practical?
often the classics are the focus, but any wine can be shown
When asked for identification as closely as possible” question, what should you do?”
Drill down as closely as the quality of the wine will allow – paying attention to: the country the region and/or appellation of production
When do you use consistent with”?”
Limited. Only use when sure the logic and argument is consistent. Always need detail and points to justify scores.
When should SO2 or CO2 be mentioned in an answer?
only if you can taste or smell them
Where do you need to state the answers for the questions?
At the top, and then support with evidence and conclusion
Which facts should be stated first, and which should come later?
most relevant first, lesser consistent with” facts tacked on the end”
