Mary Margaret McCamic - All Comments

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Nikia Lemaire — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 22:10:57 GMT

Thank you for sharing your inspirational story. I am what you’d call a “late bloomer” when it comes to my place on the wine path. I am still at the very beginning stages, and often question if what I’m doing will lead to anything meaningful as a career being that I’ve started so late in the game. However, I guess what is really the most important thing to hold onto is just to stay true to the reasons I embarked on this new path in the first place - because I love learning about the world of wine and sharing that world with others. I can see from your story, that you have the same kind of motivation and that is so helpful for people like me to know. Thank you!

RE: Practical Applications for Blind Tasting

Lindsay Pomeroy MW — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 18:47:00 GMT

MMM-as usual, you're writing style is clean, to-the-point and relevant. Cheers!

RE: Practical Applications for Blind Tasting

Sean — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:41:13 GMT

Mary thank you! I became certified with the court two years ago and blind tasting was my weak spot. I assume I am not alone but I did not buy into the need of mastering the grid/blind tasting and thought with more study on viniculture, vinification and theory that I could avoid the need to master this skill. I am happy so say I was wrong and began to improve my skills. This article can really help to set all professionals on a path towards improving this skill rather than avoiding it, more than likely from a fear of failure. You mention a doctor being wowed by your blind tasting skills and I realized that I don't want some doctor who only reads books about surgery to perform on me. We perform table side and therefore blind tasting is must. Thanks for showing its ok to break from any one approach but in the end you must be able to articulate a wine and its place. PS. your White Burgundy tasting at TEXSOM was awesome! .

RE: Practical Applications for Blind Tasting

Alejandro Franceschi — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 05:19:51 GMT

Very good article. This raises questions about where does marketing start and the wine professional's job ends. I see large quality brands like Catena, for example, using whole cluster fermentation and changing to a much greener style. I suppose this is not a crowd pleaser. Nevertheless I don't see this affecting their sales. This suggests the general public consumes brands, not styles. Another issue related to this article is that many descriptors we often use, like chalk or minerality or forest floor and so on, are beyond the understanding of the average consumer. We drink the same wine and have a completely different experience. How can we communicate accurately if we can't taste the way we did before the profession?

RE: Practical Applications for Blind Tasting

Amy Christine — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 20:39:36 GMT

This is such an important article to read to understand how blind tasting has practical applications outside of a given study program. One of the biggest issues I faced as a student was blind tasting fatigue, and that was largely due to me not understanding how blind tasting was actually applicable in the "real world". I would go so far to say as to say I developed an allergy to blind tasting after passing! I didn't ever want to blind taste again. This is a reminder about why we should keep blind tasting as wine professionals.

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Yuchi An — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 14:41:58 GMT

Well written and inspirational. Thank you for sharing!

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Cindy Woodman — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 15:08:53 GMT

Wine Everest. Exactly. Your preserverence and grit are inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experiences regarding self belief and confidence.

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Stevie Stacionis — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 16:52:10 GMT

Awesome read and SO proud of you! What a huge inspiration.

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Mark Shipway — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 10:29:48 GMT

Incredible achievement to pass MW on first attempt! Massive props!

The advice contained in your article should essential reading for any and every potential MW candidate. Especially the paragraph on the first year residential seminar.

Really valuable insights.

Thx

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Krista French — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:09:12 GMT

Thank you for this motivational and inspiring piece!

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Amy Lee — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 18:53:12 GMT

Your earnest and sincere writing truly encouraged me. Thank you for reminding me that I am not going though this alone!

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Keith Hammond — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 04:53:55 GMT

This was a fantastic read. Thank you.

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Vanessa Conlin — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 23:11:59 GMT

Great article!

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Nathan Bihm — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:43:21 GMT

This is an incredible idea, thank you so much to whoever started this!

RE: Lessons Learned on the Road to Mastery: Recollections of a Master of Wine

Adam Zuckert — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 17:11:48 GMT

Love this! Thank you MMM.