Have you ever been curious to discover what it takes to become an MW, the famously difficult and exacting course of study that on completion means you would join a group currently numbering 500 people who have passed this exam since its inception in 1953? Join Mark Pygott, MW, and the Institute of Masters of Wine for a look at how to assess wines MW style and how to approach the theory questions that are posed in the exam.

This session will focus on:

• High Altitude Wines: Our blind tasting will focus on wines that have originated from high altitude vineyards, and we will discuss how this reveals itself in the glass
• We will consider an MW style theory question that relates to this topic to strategize the ways in which it could best be answered.

Ultimately, if you are interested in going beyond the prescriptive, then this session should encourage you to consider whether pursuing the MW feels like an aspiration worth chasing.

I became a Master of Wine in 2016. I was lucky enough to pass relatively quickly and I enjoyed the intellectual pursuit of this title more than any other course of study I have been a part of. The key reason for this is because it demands a high and consistent level of critical thinking. It also makes you a much better taster, as it forces you to engage with what is in the glass and not with what is in your head.

All participants must be at least 21 years old.