It was with trepidation that the group of fledgling Master of Wine students met at the airport to fly to Austria for the first year seminar course; nervous and convinced we would be found out for the wine frauds that we were. The schedule had assured us it would be a punishing week of lectures and wine tastings. A vinous boot camp.
And push us it certainly did, blind tastings each morning that were then thoroughly scrutinised by the resident MW's in group therapy, I mean feedback sessions. Lectures included everything from the chemical complexities of pH and molecular sulphur to Swedish monopolies. Once these had finished it was off to various show casings of Grüner Veltliner, Rotgipfler, Blaufrankish, St Laurent and many more indigenous varieties before finally falling exhausted into bed.
And though we were tired, often confused and frequently wrong, we found that we were slowly forming a tight knit group, passionate, supportive and encouraging that would, come hell or high water get ourselves through the exams in 18 months time with our heads held high and our teeth red from the effort.
By Alex Harper, London Trade Sales and MW student
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