The HARDEST Wine Tasting Exam on Camera - Facing the Master of Wine

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I use this wine key: Laguiole en Aubrac Wine Key Ebony
I have used this glass in this Video: Riedel Vinum Champagne
I have tasted the following wines in this Video:
2021 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa - 49 US $:
www.wine-searc...
2020 David & Nadia Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa - 35 US $:
www.wine-searc...
2021 Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa - 11 US $:
www.wine-searc...
2021 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay, South Africa - 12 US $:
www.wine-searc...
2017 Juve y Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava, Catalonia, Spain - 19 US $ :
www.wine-searc...
NV (LCAS20) Clement Klur Cremant d'Alsace Brut, France - 19 US $:
www.wine-searc...
The 100 Point Scoring System (from www.robertparker.com):
96-100: An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume.
90 - 95: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
80 - 89: A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
70 - 79: An average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
60 - 69: A below-average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor or possibly dirty aromas or flavors.
50 - 59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.
Exactly 10 years ago I sat the world’s most difficult wine-tasting exam in order to become a Master of Wine and today I want to check whether I still got it. I asked Leon to go through past exam papers, pick out some questions and order the same wines as in the Master of Wine exam …
In 1953 the first Master of Wine exam was held in London and out of the 21 people who took it 6 passed. Today this terrible pass rate would actually be pretty high as the exam is notoriously difficult.
This is one of the reasons why there are only 414 Masters of Wine on this planet. The most challenging task for most students is the tasting exam where you have to identify 36 wines blind on three exam days.
On each exam day, you have 12 wines in front of you and you have to write answers about the wines' grape variety, origin, quality, commercial appeal, vintage, maturity, and so on.
Needless to say - you have to be very well prepared to pass this exam and I was at the top of my game when I sat down in the exam room. Regardless, you feel the nerves as the pressure is enormous and I have seen people give up, cry, or storm off during the exam week. Today, I will do an exam “light”: 6 Wines …. But this is still going to be challenging as I am not really prepared for that.
Konstantin Baum, Constantine Baum, Constantin Baum, Constantin, Konstantin Baum Master of Wine, wine basics, Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, Sommelier, Tasting, Blind Tasting, Red Wine, White Wine, Bon Appetite, Andre Mack, Wineking, Expensive Wine, Cheap Wine, Tasting Wine, Blind tasting, Wineking, Jay Wineking, Wine King Jay, Master of Wine exam,

[@Docbyday]

Thank you for walking the talk. Few wine KZbinrs would dare to go in front of the camera to do a formal blind tasting, and for a MW like you there’s really nothing more to prove. Yet you do it in the name of continuing education and with a humility and passion that is inspiring to see. I was fascinated by your thought processes, your “funnel”, extensive knowledge and methodical strategies were on full display and I have nothing but admiration for your nose and palate! And well done too for winning the mind games with Leon; the master still outwits the student here :) can’t wait to see a red wine rematch!

[@mtw23]

Yes, bring the red wine blind tasting 👍🏻

[@schferleon]

Ahh for a second I thought I gotcha!

[@nickolausj123]

I love blind tasting. There is no better way to really notice the subtle differences between varieties, regions, producers, vintages, and production methods than to taste blind often. I try to taste a few wines blind each week.

[@caroletrask6581]

So impressed that you took part in this test in front of us!! And you did so well! I appreciate the wine knowledge you have and share with us! Thank you!!

[@Ildskalli]

That was awe-inspiring. You really showed off the depth of your wine knowledge and skill in this video. Thank you!

[@davyleung7952]

Really Bravo. I am taking part in the exam and found that the time control is one of the key in the exam not to mention about the argument and the layout of how you derive the answer from the glass. Nice work and your videos keep me running. Thank you.

[@VektrumSimulacrum]

Huge respect for people that go through this kind of testing (and the learning that it took to get there) I get asked sometimes if I'd like to go for Master of Wine since I'm into wine. It's entertaining to watch but not for me. If anything I want to be the guy that knows more about the growing and making grapes into wine. I don't hear that much talk about them but I know you Masters of Wine guys hold a special place for Master Vintners. I hear a name dropped every once in a while of a wine maker that's held in high regard. A "secret master" for lack of a better description.

[@egorserov791]

This was such an entertaining video! Fantastic content as always, but your blind tastings are always a particularly fun watch. Well done!

[@TokkroosSafari]

Loove your descriptions!!

[@travioh]

When I studied South Africa, David and Nadia's Chenin Blancs were great value! Relatively young producers and you're spot on :) Also had Southern Ridge's aged Pinotage, which was very animalistic.

[@damongray8530]

As a retail buyer, tasting is critical! I teach my team to blind taste all the time, and often have reps show me wine blind (though knowing the distributor and the rep you get some big clues) I'm currently working on my WSET Diploma, and doubt I will go on for MW

[@Duh6666666]

The Juvee Y camp is incredible with oysters! It also is about 1.8 in residual sugar.

[@Blue28485]

I have said this before and will do it again… I thank KZbin for making your channel availability. I feel lucky to be able to catch new videos every Sunday afternoon!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thank you!

[@ongcheonghock]

Thank you for that interesting insight on the MW exams. I definitely did not realise the depth of knowledge/information that was required. Respect!

[@numanuma20]

Thanks for showing us a Master of Wine mock exam. The Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc is a new favorite of mine. No plan to ho higher than WSET L3.

[@visforvino]

Amazing video as always brother! You still got it!

[@peanutaxis]

I'm assuming that they only give you well-known wines. They wouldn't give you random wine I drank tonight - a $12 rose from a NZ winery that almost no one would know internationally.

[@claudestuder4199]

This was a good one. Well spotted and well done. 👍 Now one with red please.

[@matthewdonet]

That Petit Chenin is $3 here in South Africa 😅 5x less than your guess of $15. Value for money is crazy here! 🍾

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

$3 ? Wow, that is value for money

[@fuzznakano]

Great show K. Good onya mate 😊

[@Greatblue56]

Very impressive knowing that you were a bit stuffy and I could hear it in your voice. Really enjoyed the video and how you nailed 5/6.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@karlinggard]

Congrats on the ten year anniversary of being an MW!

[@yannickbe4147]

Thats fun to watch! More of this 😍

[@robertthrossell4321]

Absolutely fascinating stuff, I'm shattered just watching, gr8 video 👍

[@gustavomgomes]

First: this was massive impressive , if there is a expression. Second: I love blind tastings , cause give us the opportunity to play along and guess as you do the breakdown! P.s: now the red wine and desert is a must!

[@deichten]

My always go to ins Ansgar Clüsserath Trittenheimer Apotheke. Specifically love the Spätlese.

[@markusrohling4913]

Thank you for the effort. I love blind tastings and offer it for my costumers once a year. I aim for Wset 3 and sadly am definetly to old for mw.

[@Altilagi]

Do you think it would be possible with a blind tasting where we decide the bottles? Leon get the answers from us and ordering of the wines. Should be fairly challenging for you 😄. Thx for your channel, Konstantin!

[@Nemosan01]

Had a fair few wines from David & Nadia… give them a go, really well made wines

[@youssefbenjemia2943]

Hi Konstantin, thank you for the great videoa. I'm a big fan of yours. I have a question please. You mention a few times in your videos that this or that wine is "pristine" vs not and that if it's pristine or precise it means it's probably from new world. Can you please explain what "pristine and precise " means here?

[@savourtotaste]

MMMM that Hamilton Russel Chardonnay and David & Nadia Chenin are lovely drinking wines. @konstaintin if I could recommend a few wine for you to taste from South Africa that I know are available in Germany they would be: Waterford Estate The Jem, Waterford Estate Grenache Noir, Capensis Chardonnay, Raats MR de Compostella, Spier Frans K Smit, Delaire Graff Sunrise Brut MCC, Raats B Vintners Haarlem to Hope . Delaire Graff White Reserve. Shoo okey that is quite a few but it would be cool to see your thoughts and ratings on the wines as well as may be do a bling tasting.

[@solanacea1939]

Do this again with red wines.

[@lynneframe3390]

Do you have recurrent nightmares: you arrive at the MW exam unprepared; or on the wrong day; or can’t get the venue (no cellphone, no taxi, no map, no money)?

[@ghettobougieahjoomab8663]

Maybe in my next life, I will be smart enough to even attempt at MW

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

You are likely smart enough already

[@richardcapstack]

Well done😊

[@eizensbalkens2427]

Which glass you were using in this tasting?

[@blurds]

Interesting to see you touching on how the wine is made. Reds next!

[@blurds]

Some explanatory text popping up (of course with the bottle opening sound effected) momentarily explaining what spontaneous fermentation is (for example) etc would be a handy addition too I think 👍🏻

[@AnarchoKapital]

I don’t plan on becoming a master of wine, but I like many different wine stiles and want to become familiar with the most important ones. The goal is to become a „Master of Wine for home use“. However, there is some much wine out there, that it’s easy to get lost. So far I have traveled to Toscany (Classico and Bolgheri), Valpolicella, Alto Adige and Stellenbosh. I regularly watch your and @nosidiment‘s videos, I listen to Blindflug podcast and go to wine fairs. But to me, an engineer this is lacking structure. What is a good strategy to start? Does it make sense to order tasting packages at Lobenbergs?

[@AnarchoKapital]

Watch this video and enjoy every second: easy!

[@veroman007]

entertaining and impressive. now i am thirsty

[@terryhsiao1745]

Let's go !!

[@samuelsabensis7346]

I also love blind tastings. Though there are some many options. It’s definitely something for the ego 😅 works in both directions 😢😊 Would I attempt the master of wine? Well maybe. But what is the ideal pathway? @konstantin what and how was your wine journey to this title?

[@eliasmarius]

Hey Konstantin, would you ever be interested in becoming a master sommelier as well? There are only two people alive who are both a master of wine and a master sommelier and if anybody could become the third, it would be you, although you don’t work in a restaurant anymore.

[@ThomasBerglund-y8f]

have you ever tasted a good mead?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Yes!

[@ThomasBerglund-y8f]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine Review mead :D home made and "real" :D! PLEASE sir

[@dr7246]

It would be interesting if you had a master sommelier on to compare and contrast the rigors of the exam process

[@SimpleXSP]

You should challenge yourself with czech wine, I can suggest some 😛

[@grbadalamenti]

😂😂😂

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

That would indeed be a challenge!

[@SimpleXSP]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine try: - Volařík Welsch Riesling - Volařík Pálava - Gala, Bergrus Pinot Noir - Merlot - Marcinčák, Pinot Gris 2018, Orange wine - Milan Nestarec - take a look, unconventional wines, for example Umami which is a blend of classical Czech grapes that are grown here Traminer, Pálava, Muller-Thurgau, Riesling - Znovín Znojmo producer is also to take a look at - Skoupil - Pinot Noir Gran Reserve - Thaya - Pinot Noir

[@streetridersss8360]

Konstantin Baum *Grand Master of Wine Order* ! :))

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Double blind tasting is INCREDIBLY tough… Nice video on the deductive process. Konstantin did use his thinking skills that Leon would trick him bc of the weak knowledge in South Africa. Which would make the exam tougher. Sparkling wine double blind minus Champagne is a super tough tasting. The use of lees contact can mask a lot of the variety. In competitions, I am always exhausted after judging flights of Sparkling or sweet wines. Side note… funny thing is David and Nadia shows up in my video today too hahaha. A fantastic producer of Rhône grapes in Swartland - maybe one of the benchmark producers!

[@Androctonus84]

I love blind tastings. Once a week a group of us each bring a bottle and do a blind tasting, usually between 10-20 bottles. We don’t do as well as Konstantin, but it’s great fun and you learn a lot. Plus you get to try a really nice variety of wines beyond what you could easily do otherwise.

[@capeofgoodwine447]

Yay SA! 🇿🇦🍷❤! Well done spotting the David & Nadia Chenin - especially next to the KF Petit! We're huge fans of David and Nadia so it's fabulous to see them in this lineup. And it's always cool to see your process of deduction.

[@abcdefghijkl5408]

I love SA reds - Meerlust Rubicon and Raats Cab Franc are some of my favorites😊

[@jimwocha4949]

Very interesting Konstantin. I have my wset diploma which I did in 2001. I found it pretty tough although the tasting part was only 6 wines blind as I recall. The Master of Wine would be the next step for me but I don't think I have the nose for it. What I will do is re-visit tasting wine blind which I rarely do these days.

[@michellecbauer]

You are a marvel, Konstantin. Love your videos and always learn so much. Congratulations and thank you!

[@adjusted-bunny]

I love you, too!

[@eric1richards]

Years ago as a wine rep I was lucky enough to carry the Vineyard Brands lineup. When South African wines finally got some attention, Vineyard brands imported Souther Right and Hamilton Russell wines. I remember trying the early 2000s iterations of each and thinking these were really good wines. Especially considering during the same tasting, we had some top flight Burgundies and Loire Valley wines.

[@steinponsen158]

Amazing video!! Can you also do the part with red wines in a video, would be interesting to see how you approach those?

[@baggrabb]

You keep coming up with the most compelling themes for your videos. I really enjoyed this one, thank you so much for the energy and creativity you put into your channel. You are the best!

[@Zenmasta9001]

I love how your content speaks so much to novices and professionals at the same time. Your reasoning and taking us with you on your deduction is very helpfull to me personally! Great video as ever!

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

"Leon ... I'm on to you...." Damn, I wouldn't want to be Leon right now.

[@gabriellevanneste5978]

Well done on that blind tasting! A great insight into the MW challenging process. Thank you for the longer podcast this time 😉 And thank you for your continued work!

[@mirekmontepuro5330]

Best wine channel on youtube.

[@eric1richards]

It’s awesome to see your channel grow!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thanks for being a part of it!

[@richardwhitehouse8762]

I love how you keep finding interesting ways to talk about wine. Of course, it's an endlessly fascinating subject, but still. No distracting graphics or stock footage. Just you and a glass (or two). Kudos. Oh, and well done for putting yourself up for this challenge.

[@erikbongnilsson246]

How does the Master Somilier exam compare to the master of wine exam? Is this exam even tougher? You said this is the worlds most difficult tasting exam. So if only focusing on the taste part of the exams do they both have about the same standards?

[@HighKingTurgon]

I would LOVE to train for some level of sommelier certification. But two issues-how to start and limited market for somms. Having stumbled onto your channel, you obviously have KZbin and wine education as part of your portfolio, but the lifestyle in the restaurant biz or in auctioning is just daunting!

[@MrBlackdogz]

Hi Konstantin love your channel. Quick question why is South Africa still considered new world while they have been making wines since the 1600s?

[@tremexThoMaS]

I might be nitpicking here but: "state the residual sugar"? (sparkling wine blind taste question c) I presume they mean the dosage or even the total amount of sugar but residual sugar is specifically the amount of sugar left after fermentation, no?

[@bigleemac]

"Good times!" haha! Classic

[@stefanschanz3226]

W.O.W. What a deep dive into the ocean of wine. What a pressure on your shoulder. And what a lesson to all of us who might think they are something like a minor master of wine (ein “Masterchen” 😅). At least I am not.

[@Tigerjuhhh]

Theres a bottle of 1790 Madeira wine for sale in my homecountry Portugal. Id love to taste so bad...

[@marknelson8724]

You said Germany for #6 and it was from Alsace. Alsace is right across the river from the German wine growing regions so you have to get some credit. Did Riesling originate in Alsace or Germany? Unanswerable question as it is up and down both sides of said river.

[@user-nv5gf7ut8e]

Brilliant! May I ask what glasses have you used for this video? Thank you

[@stampedetrail2003]

Grippy, with plush mouth-feel. Hmm.

[@Yevgeny123]

Great video!!

[@MakingaStink]

Anybody in the world who likes to say wine tasting is BS and likes to reference some dumb study where ordinary people couldn’t tell expensive from cheap wines needs to watch this. Tasting is learned, just like anything else and it is hard work to get to this level.

[@javierel22]

Really interesting as always watching a Master at work...just another day at the office!

[@stanleovart]

You are cool! Btw - ken forresters top Chenin Blanc seems to be super cool

[@AShiga]

Speaking of Cava, what would you say about Corpinat?

[@jpdonovan3753]

Five out of six with a stuffed-up nose? Impressive and a great video, my friend. Would I go for the MW? Hmmm...well, I'm currently waiting ... and waiting...and waiting...on my WSET L3 results. Then would have to undertake and pass L4. Maybe if I came into a bunch of money?? Haha! Those certifications are pricey!

[@williamrobinson7435]

Well I do like blind tastings, just so long as it's someone else doing them. If you've seen my comments on the channel then you'll know that there's not much chance of me sitting the Master Of Wine exam; I'm quite happy to leave expertise to the true experts.. I'm glad but not surprised you came through so well! Notwithstanding the above, I have myself at times noticed old world characteristics in SA wines, perhaps these things are done deliberately by imitation; after all, many SA makers will be descendants of old world viticulturalists.. Nice one Konstantin, and congratulations, your crown is safe! 🌟👑👍

[@equesta]

I just applied for the MW programme (and was at the IMW Symposium) and watching this gave me chills! Great tip on numbering the glasses! Were these from the S1A exam as it seemed a little "easy" (by MW exam standards!)? I also leaned towards Loire or South Africa too initially, but now that I think about it, it could also be loads of other places too, like New Zealand, Australia, North America. I nailed the exact Juve & Camps Cava when you mentioned the very low dosage! I think the level of detail you'll need to answer the other parts of the question and detailed justification in the time given is what makes me nervous!

[@solomonmengeu1003]

Thanks for sharing this video with us, as the combination of wine knowledge and deductive skills was fascinating to witness. I haven't tried blind tasting yet, as with global warming, better viticulture and wine making the lines are getting more and more blurry. I am hoping to take WSET L3 at some point in time, hopefully. But MW exams aren't for me, as wine is my hobby; not my livelihood. But I have a tremendous amount of respect for MWs, as it's arguably the most gruelling & challenging professional examination in existence. Fun fact, more people have been to space or been astronauts/cosmonauts then there are MWs, so you guys are simply extraordinarily awesome!

[@melsialiaj]

Great idea to do this video and great content, as always. I love your blind tastings, and I am looking forward to part 2 and part 3 of this MW re-challenge :) Konstatin, did you pick any favourite wines from the MW symposium? What did you think of the Greek Wines, and is there some that you suggest to try?

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Konstantin! Penfolds in Australia have a saying..."The Rewards of Patience" and I have to say I exploited that concept. When I started watching your channel, you did say that you were not comfortable with South African wines and I at least picked the country out of the gate before you started the tasting. Leon is Diablo! Your sharing of your MW experience seems to ring true with Drops of God on Apple TV when she collapses face first onto her bed. I also noticed the other day that you said "I like the pop!". Your channel (more than any other) has made me reconsider/revisit my tasting notes and for an Australian, that is not an easy feat! Cheers!

[@tomjones2202]

,,,, and this is WHY you are a Master of Wine,,, :) Well done!! I am a Jack of all Wines but,, a Master of NONE LOL, Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us peons who just love a good wine but also love learning all about wine.

[@janw6880]

Blind tasting of European bubblies would be very interesting. There are so many beautiful bubblies nowadays coming from Regions you do not expect. Portugal/ Spain and Germany have very nice ones.

[@felixwong333]

This kind of video is really fascinating. Watching how an MW analyses wines blind is very informative and educational. Thanks for your valuable video. Hope to see more similar videos coming. :)

[@hereforthebubbles]

My goal IS to reach MW status by the age of 50. I understand that it’s a lot of hard work and A LOT of dedication and time. I’ve spent half of my life learning about wine so far, so I feel like I could achieve it someday! Thanks for being an(other) inspiration. Love your videos and enthusiasm.

[@rodsouza]

I kid you not, as I type this and watch today's video, and by the way, had to pause several times to fully concentrate on the valuable info; I sip the very same Hamilton Russel chard from south africa and taste wine from my weakest producing region also. Keep up the good work Konstantin!!!!

[@TheAustindk]

I love your videos, and your content inspires me a lot! I am nowhere near being experienced enough to take the MW exam. The closest thing to a blind tasting I ever do is being given an unlabeled bottle by a winemaker mentor of mine who simply tells me to guess what it is. The last time I did this, Pinot Noir was the first thing I ruled out only to be informed that it was, in fact, Pinot Noir. To give myself some credit, it was extremely uncharacteristic of any Pinot Noir I (or my mentor) have ever tasted; however, it made me realize just how difficult every little nuance of a wine can make a blind tasting. Great work on this video, and I am excited to see more from you!

[@yangjinwhan5835]

I have seen past exam quetions, It's not only in the wine tasting Question. The question was also including the subject about the Wine Market, Culture, Industies. This is the difference between sommelier. Master of wine is more like a industrial Directors as i felt. My respect on all the masters.

[@Datislekkerdrinken]

Hello Konstantin, I really like your videos. They are very educational. I am looking for wine sleeves for my next Rioja blind tasting. Do you have any tips where to find them?

[@georgek.1498]

Impressive. I would actually like to taste along with you. Could you give a wine your tasting for a further video, so we could possibly go out and get a bottle or two. I realize that could wipe out a wine stores around the world, maybe you would become a meme wine.

[@TSFarm1]

Great Vid per usual Konstantin! I would've liked to know how they time and separate each segment. By flight, group of flights, etc ?

[@terryhsiao1745]

Master of wine often places more emphasis on south African wine than most American based somm exam. We don't see many south African wine in the US

[@cyranotu]

Macabö? Is this right?

[@12Trappor]

That's the French pronunciation, and it's widely planted in southern France.

[@philippedemecheleer2381]

Blind tasting is the best tasting. The truth is always in the bottle. Congrats on your great videos.

[@QualeQualeson]

I'm working on my "master of mine" meaning, I just want to find out what I like best thank you very much ;p

[@bryannicolosi8055]

Interesting to know that market value is part of the test. Love your channel!!!

[@MaxwellTM]

Im very new to wine, but I have had the Juve & Camps Cava and loved it. Super impressive to see a true master at work.

[@nicholasschubert9669]

More of this kind of tastings! 🍷

[@Drew-r2h]

You still got it! Thanks for helping the rest of us!