The exam is designed to enable candidates to show the breadth of their theoretical and practical understanding of the wine industry. The questions are set by a panel of MWs, and marked by MWs and leading figures in the world of wine.
The exam currently consists of three parts:
Theory - four three-hour question papers on viticulture, winemaking, the business of wine and contemporary issues . The Institute will subsidise the cost of translation for those not writing in English, with the remainder to be payed by the candidate.
Practical - three twelve-wine blind tastings, each lasting two and a quarter hours, in which wines must be assessed for variety, origin, winemaking, quality and style. Practical papers must be written in English.
The Theory and Practical papers are examined concurrently over four days, usually in June, in three centres: Napa, Sydney and London.
Dissertation - a ten thousand word original study, relevant to the wine industry, with the topic selected by the candidate. This is typically written after the candidate has passed both the Theory and the Practical.
