The Countdown Begins
I haven't done enough study. So far. I don't think it ever feels like enough, but I definitely haven't done enough.
Hey Team,
A quick MW Journey Update after quite a few newsletters about actual things.
The MW stage 2, attempt 2 is coming up in June. June sounds like six months away, right? Just feels like six. January - June. Six.
In reality, it’s just a mere five. Exam week is the first week of June, and we’re already a few days into Jan.
It’s not maths, my friends, it’s time. Of the few things you can’t fiddle about with, the passing of time is fairly high up on the list.
The Study Plan
I’ve got all my MW organised PAMs and TAMs, mapped out1. I had some positive constructive feedback about the first few. So, not too disheartened there.
There’s some more coming up in Jan, Feb & March.
I have the in-person study-week Seminars, I’ve been to the Stage 1, and the Stage 2, one. I’ve written about both of these.
As much as I like the travel, and the camaraderie of it all, I definitely find them a bit overwhelming. You don’t get much time to yourself, and every evening is scheduled too.
This year I’m going to Odney2, staying here in the U.K. I’m pondering that being slightly close to home means I can travel (drive!) down the night before and get home the day after in a couple of hours. Means it won’t feel like the slog that it can.
The seminars are interesting, a mix of mock practical papers each morning, with feedback sessions. Then after lunch and into the early evenings, seminars, masterclasses, theory focus and some open tastings.
I’ve got some more in-person mock tastings in April, plus I think something in Europe in April.
“It’s much easier when you know what the wines are…”
Pretty obvious really.
I’m planning to spend more time on identification, than answering technique.
If I look back through my Stage 2 results, I think I’m good at picking up marks when I’m not confident on the wine. I take solace in the P2 results that I got 55% - 60%, a C grade, when I only got 4 of the wines even close.
Dry notes, and refreshing my handwriting and exam technique will come in time. First things first brush up on identification, then refresh technique, then bring the two together. All by the end of May.
I wrote about Dry Notes Here:
I’m Still a Hermit
What I mean by that is I don’t really have a study group, and I’ve got gradually more comfy with that over time. Every single MW suggests “get a study group” and “learn with others”.
I don’t know how I feel about it. I try and taste stuff at home, I have a Coravin. I know it’s waaaaaaaaaay, way, way less than some other people.
If you live in London you could probably taste 50 - 100 wines every day if you put your mind to it with little hassle. Largely for free too, through larger press and trade events, masterclasses, industry events, and a host of other things I probably don’t know about.
I also feel that you can ‘over-taste’, for sure. By that I mean I could taste every wine from every producer on the planet, and every style and try each eclectic wine going. That could theoretically destroy all your funnelling.
In the heat of an exam, I’m not going to funnel for that oak fermented Assyrtiko from Western Australia in a rush3. I’ll taste those on the evenings I need a pick me up for the RP.
For the cost of the train to London (£70 - £100), I just spend that on some really focussed wines to taste instead, and that works for me4.
Back to it.
dk
Looking Forward for 2024
I did myself a new logo, and added some blue to the Newsletter. So Fresh.
Every Jan I say that I’ve got a plan for a Podcast that never materialises.
Got some fun stuff lines up for the post-exam summer.
Got plenty of work stuff to do to. Always busy.
You must know what a PAM and a TAM is by now?!? Surely. They are the mock Theory and Practical Assessment Marking. You get a set question to answer, then you get feedback from an MW. They’re pretty burdensome, I’m confident they pick the worst possible questions purpose. But the feedback is very helpful. Also, they are mandatory and completion of them is a prerequisite to sitting the exam.
I don’t know where it is either.
Sounds like a Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc to me.
Well, it didn’t did it. I ‘m feeling positive about it!
In your case considering the cost of train(I did not realise train travel in the UK was so outrageous) it more cost effective to study alone. One of the reasons I quit half way through Diploma was costs. I live in Italy and don't have access to so called New World wines at all, and if someone can order them they cost an arm and a leg so it's best to have a study group. There weren't enough diploma students in my area so I gave up.