As I mentioned in my last post, I quit the MW program and stepped back from being (only) a wine academic. I’ll still keep this blog alive in case it helps future wine students. Because that was my goal all along – to help others.😊
However, I’ve really missed writing! So, I’ve set up a new home over on Substack – and I’d love it if you’d consider joining me over there. My first post is about shedding labels that we’ve allowed to define our identity . . . like “wine academic.” 😉
Happy Holidays and wishing you all a wonderful 2026!!
Along with this video, I wanted to include a quote encouraging others to not be afraid to quit something that is no longer serving you. So I Googled “positive quotes on quitting” and found all those typical ones about how “quitters never win” or “you cannot fail unless you quit.” While these can be motivational, they can also make you want to throw up a bit in your mouth (or is that just me?)
These messages can guilt us into staying the course . . . the WRONG course. Our intuition might be gently nudging or even screaming at us that our time, energy and passion would be better spent elsewhere. But we fear the stigma of being “a Quitter” – so we don’t listen.
I didn’t listen until I was forced to. My cancer diagnosis gave me a much needed wake up call. And thankfully, I answered – and have changed the path I’m on.
Thank you Everyone for your support since I started this blog! I hope it continues to help wine students through various wine certifications . . . including quitting those that no longer align with your life goals. 🙂
Success does not lie in sticking to things. It lies in picking the right thing to stick to and quitting the rest.
– Annie Duke (Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away)
The results of one informed me that I could resit the MW exam next year because I hadn’t passed either the Theory or Practical section. The results of the other test told me to come in for a follow up as soon as possible because my mammogram showed abnormalities.
One set of test results told me I had Stage 2 breast cancer, and all of a sudden those other exam results that at one time were So Important – did not matter.
The MW program has been such a huge part of my life the past few years and I’ve shared much of my journey here. But now, I’m deferring for a year to focus on my health. I hope to pick up my studies and sit for the exam in June 2025, because that was not my best effort this last June. I KNOW I can do better.
But there’s another Stage 2 I need to improve on first . . . and I need to kick this one’s ass.
Some people may wonder why I’m sharing “I Have Breast Cancer!” publicly. I understand that many individuals choose to keep this intensely personal matter private. But I’ve decided that if my sharing this makes just one woman stop putting off her mammogram, it’s worth it.
I have surgery at the end of this month, which will be followed by treatment. To everyone who has supported me so amazingly with my wine studies – please send all the good thoughts you can spare for a successful surgery. I’ll keep you updated, and hopefully get back to posting about MW studies soon. 😉
As I mentioned in my last blog post – I am so thankful I took most of the summer off and focused on enjoying life outside of wine studies. The last sentence of that post now reads a bit differently to me: “having taken the time to rest, I am ready for whatever news comes at me later this week.” I wrote this the day before my mammogram results came back. While I can’t say I was “ready” for a cancer diagnosis (are we ever?), I am glad that my wine studies weren’t my top priority in the weeks leading up to that news.
When I rejoin the program, my studies will be A priority for me – but not THE priority. I encourage all my fellow wine students to pursue your studies with passion, and perspective.
Truth be told, this has been the most relaxing lap yet. Since sitting for my first attempt at the MW exam I have taken most of the summer OFF from wine studies. After the exam questions and wines were publicly released, I was quite confident that I did not pass the Practical section of the exam. Still holding out hope for Theory. Official exam results come out in less than one week.
If students Pass a section, that is all the information we’ll receive – “Congratulations, you Passed!” If we Fail a section, we are given individual grades (A through F) for each Paper (5 in Theory, 3 in Practical) to give us a better idea of our weaker spots. However, these letter grades are the only feedback – no specifics on whether our essays were well written, sufficient length, contained enough examples, etc. Which means self-awareness (and a fair amount of guessing) will need to kick in to help us ascertain where we went wrong.
Thankfully, during exam week, after every section I rushed back to my hotel room and furtively typed out a summary of my answers – including examples I used, approximate word count and a few honest sentences about how I felt I did. For the record, my personal assessments ranged from “feel pretty good about this one. Good analysis and structure” to “don’t feel great. Very short and lacked depth.” I have no clue if these will balance each other out and result in a Theory Pass for me.
Tip to future MW students: DO THIS! I am so thankful I did a post-exam brain dump because just three months later, there is no way I could recall what I wrote for my answers. After receiving the results, I’ll use my exam recaps to (hopefully) give me a better understanding of where I need to focus my study energy this coming year.
Even if I need to retake both sections, I am proud of myself for sitting the exam. And I have no doubt that having one MW exam sitting under my belt, I’ll be in a better position to succeed next year. It took more stamina than I thought I had in me, but adrenaline kicked in and got me through. Granted, the first couple of weeks post exam I was pretty zoned out and beat up. Another tip to future MW students: plan to use as little brain activity as possible after the exam . . . you will need more recovery time than you think!
I’m also proud of myself for not obsessing about the exam all summer. After it was finished and I’d compared notes with a trusted few other students, I put it behind me. There was nothing I could do to change my answers, it was now out of my control. What I could control, however, was how I spent my summer. Which meant putting the books on the shelf and spending time with family and friends who had been on the back burner during my studies. Taking these past several weeks to read non-wine related books, catch up on Netflix, slow down and enjoy the view has been invaluable. I’ve also had time to work with OTHER stressed out students through Elevage Wine Coaching, which has been a wonderful and welcome change of pace. 😊
Recovery time is crucial when training for a marathon. And having taken the time to rest, I am ready for whatever news comes at me later this week.
Tomorrow I will sit the first of four days of the Masters of Wine exam. This will be my “first at bat” – MW candidates have three attempts in which we must pass at least the Theory OR Practical section. If I pass both, I move onto the research paper. If I pass one, but not the other, I’ll have (maximum) four additional tries for that failed section. And if I don’t pass either section within three tries – I’m out of the MW program.
An incredibly small percentage of individuals have managed to pass both Theory and Practical on their first attempt. Based on past MW Examiners Reports, it appears that around 25-30% of candidates pass Theory each year. However, this figure consists of individuals sitting for their first time (like me) as well as resits . . . so it’s impossible to tell how many actually pass on their first go. As for Practical, this has a much lower pass rate – ranging from 8-15% the past few years.
Since receiving the news that I passed the S1A, my mind has been set on sitting the MW exam this first year. Stage 2 students have the option of deferring a year, and many of my peers have chosen this route. But for me, I knew that if I didn’t have the “pressure” of the exam I wouldn’t be as motivated to study. I’ve discovered that the MW program is about knowing yourself just as much as it is about knowing wine . . . what works for others, may very well not work for you.
For several months, I told myself that I was sitting the exam with the aim of just gaining the experience. I wanted to be realistic and not put too much pressure on myself. Four days, 36 wines and 13 essays over 20+ exam hours requires a lot of stamina and keeping nerves in check. Having this initial experience behind me would put me in a stronger position next year for a resit of the exam . . .
I studied a lot for those several months, but I wasn’t studying smart. I took too long in certain areas, spending a week on a topic when a couple of days would have sufficed. Going too far into the weeds instead of cultivating a breadth of knowledge. Reading news articles without thinking critically about what I was reading – and WHY it mattered. Tuning in to podcasts and webinars passively without actively paying attention, taking detailed notes, and figuring out where this information could be relevant on an exam.
BUT . . . that was ok, because I was “just sitting for the exam experience.” I kept telling myself: I have at least three attempts at this, and I don’t think I’ll be able to pass either section on my first at bat. I don’t know enough yet, I haven’t studied enough yet and I’m not ready – yet.
In mid-March (about 12 weeks before the exam), my wonderful mentor recommended this book to me. (Sidenote: Despite my MW marathon references, baseball analogies AND this book being written by a sports psychologist – I am honestly NOT a sports gal!) She knew that I lacked confidence in my abilities and told me that this book helped her during the MW program when she was dealing with similar feelings. I’m all about putting myself in the right mindset – so I Amazoned it immediately.
Day one of reading, this quote jumped out at me:
“It would indeed be illogical to persist if you thought you didn’t have a chance to succeed.”
Now, I consider myself a very logical person. I often make decisions based on evidence and facts instead of feelings. I approach projects methodically and tend to look at most situations objectively and rationally. So . . . why was I spending all these hours persisting in my pursuit of the MW – studying, tasting, reading, researching – if I didn’t think I had a chance to succeed on my first at bat?!
This book was a wakeup call – my mindset and studies changed almost instantly.
I started putting myself on the clock for focused study time. One solid hour with no distractions for me equals at least three half-assed hours where multi-tasking is involved. I aimed for 3 solid focused hours a day and as a result, had a much better understanding and retention of information. Shit Was Clicking! I moved more efficiently through topics – bringing myself out of rabbit holes when I knew I’d burrowed too deep. AND I tackled those topics that I’d constantly put on the back burner because they scared the crap out of me (I’m looking at you P3!) And wouldn’t you know, after I’d spent time on QA/QC, HACCP plans, stabilization and bulk shipping – They Weren’t As Scary!
I cranked out outlines on major theory topics: Vineyard Hazards, Oak, Closures & Packaging, Consumer Trends. Even going back to those outlines that I’d sketched out when I was applying for the entrance exam and filling in the gaps with examples and details. I wish I could give my past self a huge hug for going through all that effort just to get into the MW program . . . that prep work and those outlines were NOT a waste of time!
If I had studied like this all year, I would feel in a much better position for the exam. Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about that now and kicking myself over what I should have done isn’t helpful or healthy. I can only give this first at bat my best shot and focus on what I HAVE done and what I DO know.
Part of being a student is having assignments to complete – even when you’re in a relatively “unstructured” program like the Masters of Wine. For Stage 1 this homework is “optional”, but as I mentioned in a previous post – the MW course fees cover these assignments. Plus, students receive written feedback from MWs which, ideally, will help with preparation for the S1 Assessment. So, even though they aren’t mandatory, if you’re serious about the program – why wouldn’t you complete at least some of these?
Stage 2 students are required to complete at least 3 TAMS, 1 PAMS and 1 RAMS assignment in order to sit for the MW exam at the end of the academic year. Since I’m aiming to sit in June 2023, that means I have a fair share of homework to finish in the upcoming months.
Having recently completed my first TAMS and PAMS for Stage 2, I thought I’d give a brief breakdown of these three assignment types and my experience (good & bad!) with each so far:
TAMS (Theory Assignment Marking Scheme)
What these are: actual theory questions from past MW exams. The TAMS questions are released after the beginning of the academic year and students can choose which one(s) they submit answers to on three deadlines. For Stage 1, questions come from Papers 1-4 only (since Paper 5 questions will not be on the S1A). For Stage 2, the TAMS questions come from all 5 papers.
How many I’ve done: 2 during Stage 1 and 1 so far in Stage 2. Topics have ranged from vineyard labor shortage to bulk shipping to why the fuck aren’t consumers buying more fortified wine (ok, that last one isn’t exactly verbatim . . . but that’s the heart of the question IMO).
Experience/Feedback received: Several weeks after submitting their TAMS, students receive feedback along with one of the following hypothetical grades: Very high pass / High pass / MW pass / Just below threshold / Below threshold. While it’s easy to focus on that hypothetical grade, based on my personal experience and what I’ve seen from other students, I wouldn’t read TOO much into this being a definitive indicator of your likelihood of passing Stage 1. Some students who received high passes didn’t do so well on the S1 exam. Others who didn’t do great on the TAMS assignment ended up kicking total ass on the exam. Bottom line is to pay attention to the feedback and focus on your weak spots.
My Gen X Gals will recognize this! Collecting stickers was probably a lot more fun than collecting MW examples . . .
Honestly, my TAMS feedback hasn’t been anything I don’t already know: sound structure, easy to read and succinct – but need more global examples. So, this is where I’m focusing a lot of my Stage 2 energy – collecting examples. Kinda like I did with stickers back in elementary school. It remains to be seen if trading will occur or if, like stickers, some individuals will refuse to let go of that sparkly, scratch n’ sniff unicorn. 😉
Per TAMS instructions, students are to aim to complete their essays “under exam conditions” and write answers within 60-75 minutes. Between you and me, I have not done this. In fact, every single student that I’ve spoken with has not completed their TAMS under true exam conditions (which IMO would include being unaware of the actual question asked until the clock starts ticking). Some students do hours of research and then try and write their essay under timed conditions. Others ignore the clock entirely and take their time both researching and writing. Perhaps some more experienced Stage 2 students are banging these essays out under true exam conditions, but I have yet to meet these individuals.
I haven’t completed my TAMS under exam conditions because right now I want to know if my “best efforts” would be passing answers on an MW exam. After researching and reviewing a topic, can I put together a coherent essay – including practical knowledge and examples – to achieve a Pass? I want to receive feedback on TAMS that I’ve taken my time with and feel at least somewhat confident about. And I fully acknowledge that I could not produce an essay of this caliber under true exam conditions . . . yet.
PAMS (Practical Assignment Marking Scheme)
What these are: essentially dry note exercises to help with preparation for the Practical (Tasting) part of the exam. A few weeks prior to the deadline, students are told what the wines are as well as the specific questions to address (i.e. identify the origin, discuss winemaking techniques, comment on style & commercial positioning, etc.)
How many I’ve done: 3 during Stage 1 and 1 so far in Stage 2.
Experience/Feedback received: While students receive feedback on their PAMS submissions, unlike TAMS, we don’t get an assigned grade. So, it’s usually unclear whether our answers would have been “passing” on an actual exam. After we receive our feedback, there is an online “recap session” with a couple of MWs who go over the questions and dissect a student’s answer (anonymously thankfully!) – and give suggestions as to what would make it a better answer. During one of these sessions last year, a student asked why we didn’t receive an assigned grade on our PAMS. One of the MWs hosting replied that it’s probably because many (read: most) submissions would not be passing answers on an MW exam. So, to avoid completely gutting us, they only give feedback. Yikes.
This is where the thick skin comes in (see this video with Amber where I mention this is a necessity for being an MW student!) Last year upon receiving each round of PAMS feedback, I felt discouraged. I am someone who tends to overly focus on negative comments. So at the time, that was all that jumped out at me. But having a clearer head now, when I go back and review my S1 feedback, the majority of comments were constructive and things I needed to learn! Using evidence from the glass to make my arguments. Being more succinct in my answers. Using style to help justify origin.
PAMS are tough until you get comfortable writing dry notes. It’s confusing because you know what the wines are, yet you’re being asked “What’s the variety and origin?” Dry notes also require moving away from the SAT that many of us learned in WSET and all that medium-minus and medium-plus terminology. Getting into the mindset of “how would I justify this was Syrah on an exam? What evidence would I use?” is challenging and it took several months of practice for this to click for me last year. It requires consistent practice – and learning from feedback.
RAMS (Research Paper Assignment Marking Scheme)
What these are: a brief (1200 word) research paper proposal. RAMS are for Stage 2 students only.
How many I’ve done: ZERO to date
Experience/Feedback received: well, none because I haven’t submitted any! But I’ll give you my thoughts anyways:
During Stage 1, I tuned out a lot of what was said about the research paper. Not because I was sticking my head in the sand about it, but because I was all about focusing on the next step in front of me (the S1 Assessment) – not the one that was several miles ahead of me. Students need to pass both sections of the MW exam before they write their research paper. But obviously this does not mean that’s when you first start thinking about it! For me, the timing needed to be a balance . . . and thinking about the research paper when I was stressing over the S1A was too early.
My plan is to complete my first RAMS after the S2 seminar in February. I’m still all over the place as far as potential research paper topics. I’d love to do something on my beloved Washington state. But am also very interested in wine education/certifications (how much do these help with future careers/advancement?) Or the role of social media/influencers in the wine industry (is it as impactful as we think?)
I’ll keep you posted! And I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you think would make an interesting research paper!
Outwines 