It's been a while since I've told you about my WSET4 adventures. I get quite a few questions on Instagram about how things are going, what I'm working on now, and how much longer it will take. It's high time for a list of frequently asked questions!
How is your education going?
Yeah, right. The next deadline isn't until March. That still feels a long way off, and that's why I'm not doing as well as I'd like. I don't feel the pressure yet, even though I know full well it's here and that it will soon be complete panic. Yeah, #toughlife.
Hey, you passed your exam! Are you ready now?
Nope, not by a long shot. This was the first exam (and apparently the easiest, so okay, thanks). The program takes about two years, so I'll be finished sometime in 2020 if I pass everything on the first try.
There are six units in total:
- Unit 1 - Wine production worldwide
- Unit 2 - Viticulture & vinification
- Unit 3 - All the still wines of the world
- Unit 4 - Spirits
- Unit 5 - Sparkling wines
- Unit 6 - Fortified wines
What's your next exam?
Spirits. So, from gin to (all kinds of) whisky and everything in between. It's scheduled for March, and I still have a lot to learn. And tasting, because I need to know the theory, but also be able to distinguish the different distillates blindly. Gin and vodka are fine, but a strong cognac versus a light whisky? I find it difficult.
There's another exam scheduled for that same day. You can't really study for this one. It covers Unit 1 and is tested through a case study. We'll be told the topic a month in advance, so you can prepare somewhat from then on. For example, one exam was about wine tourism.
You have to write a coursework assignment, right? What's it about?
The coursework assignment is about "The Rum Revival." It's about rum, the sugarcane distillate produced in Jamaica and Cuba, among other places. It's a tough one, I can tell you. I'm not familiar with rum, but I'm learning more and more. That makes it more fun. Not all rums are created equal. And let's certainly not take Bacardi as our starting point ;-) Are you ready to rumble? I have to submit this in early April.
How many hours a week do you spend on it?
Less than I should right now, given the amount of work ahead. Anyway, let's take a look at the past month. That's at least two full days of classes, so 16 hours. I read from one of my books for an hour every morning or evening or listen to a podcast ( great tip )—at least during the week. Plus, once a week, a whole afternoon, so that's a total of 16 + (4*5) + (4*4) = 52 hours per month, or 13 hours a week. Next month I'll have to increase that, because then I have to go full throttle studying for the exam, the case study preparation, and the coursework assignment. Ugh.
What else is on the agenda for the coming months?
Now we're going around the world. Figuratively speaking, because the classes are in Woerden—of all places. Two classes are scheduled each month, focusing on one or more wine regions.
Today, January 28th, we'll start with Germany, Hungary, and Austria. Tomorrow, we'll hear more about South America and the United States. The classes will be taught by Josef Schuller, Master of Wine. In February, we'll have another Master of Wine class, Romana Eschensperger. I also had a class with her during WSET3—it was fantastic! Alsace, Burgundy, Australia, and New Zealand are on the two-day program.
Read other blogs about WSET4 here >
Have another question? Don't hesitate to ask in the chat.
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The Road to Weinakademiker - Part 5 (two random wine stories)
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