Structure of the Exam
The exam currently consists of three parts:
Theory - four three-hour question papers on viticulture, winemaking, the business of wine and contemporary issues.
Practical - three 12-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: London (UK), Sydney (Australia) and Napa (USA).
Dissertation - a 10,000-word original study, relevant to the wine industry, with the topic selected by the candidate and approved by the Institute. This is typically written after the candidate has passed both the Theory and the Practical parts of the exam.
Only after successfully passing all three elements of the exam is someone eligible for membership of the Institute. It is membership of the Institute and abiding by its Code of Conduct that confers the right to the qualification Master of Wine and use of the title, or its abbreviated form MW after their name.