Hi! My name is Kristina and I’m a test addict.
In school, I would often score in the 98th percentile of tests, only to later coast through my studies and get mostly B’s on my report cards.
Fast forward to today and it’s easy to see why I’m burned out from my MW studies. Shocking, I know. Not being in the program this year is painful because I’m not getting any feedback on my progress. I still meet with my tasting group every week, but even that feels stagnant.
This is how I justify a not-so-slight change in my plans. My ego needs to pass a test.
Certified Wine Educator
I passed the Certified Specialist in Wine exam by the Society of Wine Educators about ten years ago, but I didn’t pursue the higher designation of Certified Wine Educator. I was already making some pretty good money teaching wine classes around town, so I didn’t see the need. In any case, I had some issues with the structure of the exam, plus I was working toward a WSET diploma, which is no small feat.
Books – CHECK! Notebook – CHECK! Plan – CHECK!
Now that I’m working in my dream job, I can justify taking a crack at the CWE exam. I’m nervous because this test seems to focus more on rote memorization, whereas the MW is more about a global understanding of the business of wine. Of course, memorization may be a good thing: I struggle to name more than three subregions of South Africa. Or are they called wards? Or districts? I know, embarrassing, isn’t it?
Preparing for the Exam
Right now, I’m aiming for an exam date in August late May (I know!! But I have some vacation time coming up! Lemme try!!). I’m preparing for the CWE exams by working through the CSW Study Guide and Workbook (which have vastly improved since the late-2000s version), and I’m supplementing my studies with the Oxford Companion to Wine, Exploring Wine from the CIA, and GuildSomm.
I also need to get back into maps, and because the CWE exams include a teaching component, I’m going to commit to teaching you in some of the areas I’m weakest at. What are my weak points, you ask? Oh, pretty much all of the New World!
At the same time, I just completed the Italian Wine Professional Level 2 program—and passed, yippee! I’m also picking up the Italian Wine Scholar course (see comments above). I’m still meeting weekly with my MW tasting group, but my MW-specific studies are taking a backseat to my CWE studies, which will help me reground myself in the core of wine knowledge.
So that’s my new plan! Honestly, I can’t tell if I’m procrastinating or if this modified plan will actually help me, but it’s worth a shot! Wish me luck!
What are you studying for right now?
