I have run Master of Wine Blind Tasting Seminars for nearly thirty years now. They take place over three days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, the third and / or fourth weekend in May. They are practice for the MW examination, with MW style questions under exam conditions. In essence: a 2 ¼ hour exam paper in the morning, a half hour break for lunch, then as much time again going over candidates’ answers – critically, but kindly!

Location:

C-Space, 37-45 City Road, London EC1Y 1AT. This is immediately opposite the Bunhill Cemetery and Zebra Crossing, and right next to Wesley’s Chapel.

A 3 minute walk from Old Street Tube, 7 minutes from Moorgate or Liverpool Street, and on numerous bus routes: 43, 76, 121, 141, 177 etc.

« Michael Schuster has been much more than a wine teacher for me. He is the best blind tasting expert I have met. He embodies pedagogy, precision and wine passion. His words to describe a wine, a grape variety or a wine region, are always well chosen and extremely accurate. His blind tastings are a must if you want to pass the Master of Wine practical examination.» Jeremy Cukierman MW  – Madame Bollinger Medal Winner (Paris 2017)

 

For further testimonials see the bottom of this page …

 

MAY 2020 WEEKEND:

Saturday                              23 May 2020 (Paper 3: Sparkling / Fortified etc)
Sunday                                24 May 2020 (Paper 1: White Wines)
Monday                               25 May 2020 (Paper 2: Red Wines)

TIMING
Start at 10am (arrive by 09.30 latest), end at 3-3.30pm. Full details available on request, or when you book.

PRICE
For the three tastings this is £420

BUY TICKET

(Click on the BUY TICKET link above, then scroll to the bottom of the new page to purchase your ticket.)

 

THE TASTINGS
Each tasting will be of 12 wines, over 2¼ hours, with MW style questions and wines covering the complete quality spectrum, under exam conditions.

After a short break (bring a snack if you wish) there will be a thorough discussion, this too usually lasts about 2 to 2 ½ hours.

If you wish to talk to me individually, let me know in advance, and I’ll see if we can find a time.

I provide: MW pattern Question /Answer Sheets, spittoons, filtered water.

PLEASE bring your own glasses if at all possible. But I can provide ISO glasses for those coming from overseas.

Let me know in advance if you require my ISO glasses, so that I can have them ready.

The emphasis is on the ability to perceive, assess and then articulate quality and style accurately, as well as on the ability to show a clear understanding of what the winemaking process and different climatic conditions contribute to different types and styles of wine.

PREPARATION
For the essence of my approach read pages 16 > 55 of the new edition of Essential Winetasting (Mitchell Beazley), on Tastes and Tasting, Words and Qualities, Values, Viticulture and Vinification. There is plenty of matter to consider there, and the basic principles of perception, description and assessment apply whatever type or quality level of wine you are tasting.

There is also a completely new chapter on Blind Wine Tasting in the book (p181), with a section devoted just to MW Blind Tasting (pp184-5), compiled with the help of several recently successful MW’s.

  • After 7 years of studying on the Master of Wine programme I have finally made it, and on top of becoming an MW I also received the Bollinger Medal for best tasting results in the exam. This would not have been possible without the fantastic wine tasting courses provided by Michael. Of all the teachers I have had through the MW programme and the years before, Michael is by far the best!!!

    Louise Sydbeck MW (Sweden / France, 2014)

  • Thank you for such an amazing three days tasting and review. It was truly educational and helped me enormously refine my notes and thought process for the exam. You are a marvellous educator.....

    Mary Gorman MW (USA, 2010)

  • ...Susie and I are profoundly grateful to you for all your help, support and guidance – your tasting courses have been nothing short of an inspiration, not to mention a firm foundation for so much that we’ve achieved – so thank you.

    Peter Richards MW (UK, 2009)

  • A note to thank you for the sessions in London. The wines you selected and the way the tastings were conducted was first class. Well worth the trip for me. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have passed the MW tasting, so we need to pop a cork!

    James Cluer MW (Canada, 2003)

  • To state that Michael Schuster's MW Blind Tastings were immensely helpful to me for passing the MW Practical Exam, as well as getting the Bollinger Medal, understates the experience. Michael showed me, in a very vivid way, how you can taste, teach and, most of all, inspire. I will always be grateful to Michael and Monika for setting the bar so high.

    Konstantinos Lazarakis MW (Greece, 2002)

  • To say your tastings were instrumental in my success would be a gross understatement.

    Richard Lashbrook MW (UK 1995)

  • I can’t tell you how much it helped me to have an outsider to advise and restore my confidence in tasting – thank you.

    David Roberts MW (UK 1995)
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