What’s the Difference between the Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Exam?

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This article originally appeared on LinkedIn on September 16, 2015. It is reprinted here with the author’s permission.

by Peter Marks, MW

Last week the Institute of Masters of Wine announced the results of the annual MW exam and 19 new Masters of Wine have joined the ranks, bringing the total number of MWs worldwide to 340 from 24 different countries. Congratulations to all!

People often confuse Masters of Wine (MW) with Master Sommelier (MS) and vice versa. Both are recognized as the highest credential in the world of wine, sort of like getting your PhD. As a MW, I’m often mistaken for a MS. My response is that I can never pour wine without spilling it somewhere. My tablecloths at home are littered with red wine stains.

Master Sommelier Logo

The fact is, the Master Sommelier exam is geared towards individuals working in hotel and restaurant beverage service. The MS exam comprises three parts: candidates must first pass the theory section (done orally) where you must demonstrate intimate knowledge of the world’s grape varieties and regions, wine laws and production, as well as knowledge about spirits, beers and cigars; a practical or restaurant service section (that’s where you have to pour wine without spilling!); and finally, a blind tasting of 6 wines (done orally) where you must identify the grape variety(ies), appellation and vintage.

The purpose of the Institute of Masters of Wine is to promote excellence, interaction and learning, across all sectors of the global wine community. Its membership encompasses winemakers, buyers, shippers, business owners, retailers, academics, sommeliers, wine educators, writers, journalists and more.

The MW exam is also three-fold. Candidates must first pass the theory and the tasting exam. The theory exam comprises five 3-hour written papers covering viticulture, vinification and pre-bottling procedures, the handling of wine, the business of wine, and contemporary issues. The tasting exam is also written and includes 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. Lastly, once a pass has been achieved in both the theory and tasting, the candidate must write a research paper. The research paper is an individual project on a topic chosen by the candidate, resulting in a piece of work of between 6,000 and 10,000 words.

I frequently tell interested MW students that in order to be successful in the MW exam, you need to follow the 10,000-hour rule. This rule, as articulated by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers, claims that the key to achieving world class expertise in any skill, is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing for a total of around 10,000 hours. In other words, neither the MS program nor the MW program should be taken lightly.

Brain of Wine

I’m often asked, “Which is harder, the MW or the MS?” That’s impossible for me to answer, because I’ve never attempted the MS title. However, I believe the MS exam would be harder for someone not working in the restaurant beverage industry. Likewise, the MW exam would be more challenging for someone who doesn’t have experience or exposure to all aspects of the wine industry, from grower to general consumer.

Personally, I have no desire or intention of tackling the MS exam. I’m much happier when I can enjoy great wine service at a restaurant with a MS or MS student at the helm. There, I can also appreciate the perfectly clean white table cloths.

 

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Peter Marks

Peter Marks, Master of Wine, is an internationally respected wine industry consultant and educator based in the Napa Valley. Marks is one of only 52 Masters of Wine residing in the United States and one of 390 in the world. The prestigious Master of Wine (MW) title is bestowed by the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) in London. Marks received his MW designation in 1995 when he became the 10th American to pass. That year he also became the first American to receive the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award, which is bestowed annually to the MW candidate with the highest blind tasting score.

From 2008 to 2019 Marks was Vice President of Education for Constellation Brands, overseeing programs such as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) for employees and customers. He implemented a diverse education curriculum delivered both in-person and online.

Before joining Constellation Wines, he was the Senior Vice President of Wine at Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa, where he was responsible for all wine sales and education programs.

Previous to working at Copia Marks was the Chief Wine Merchant at Wine.com, a wine Internet retailer serving more than 40 states. For 15 years prior, Marks was Director of Wine for the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets located in Northern California.

Marks graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1976 with a B.S. degree with highest honors in Food Service Management. His personal interest in wine led him to the wine trade in 1981.

Marks is on the Education and Exam Board of the Institute of Masters of Wine, he is the Panel Chair of the Practical (Tasting) Exam for the Institute of Masters of Wine and he judges many international wine competitions. He is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators, teaches wine classes independently and through the Napa Valley Wine Academy, and he assists with many charitable fundraisers throughout the year. Marks enjoys riding his bike in the Napa Valley, especially up Mt. Veeder and through the beautiful vineyards.