Back to school - week 6

Exam day. I've caught up on all my reading, reviewed the class handouts and my flash cards. I've taken the quiz after each section of the book, the sample quiz in the syllabus and the practice exam in the book.

I suspected I was nearing information overload. It seemed that everything I looked I was beginning to catalog. Earlier in the week I  was an assistant volunteer in wine tasting class featuring Rhone wines, I realized my colleague was watching as I jotted notes about the wines' nose, appearance, taste, and finish. So, after taking the practice exam I took a break, but  carried my materials with me to the class to look at the materials one final time before the exam was administered.

When I entered the classroom the mood in the classroom was somber. Students were reviewing materials; the proctor was getting students  signed in. As more students entered the room the mood became more tense. The proctor remained calm and methodically and made sure all students were signed in and had the proper writing implement (a number two pencil). In an effort to lighten the mood, the proctor asked the class how many people were considering taking the Level 3 class. A few people raised their hands, I was not one of them. I needed to see the outcome of this exam before considering another class.

The proctor reminded the class the exam is 50 questions and must be completed in one (1) hour. A student must correctly answer 55% of the questions to pass the exam. The proctor told us that it would take about two months before we knew the exam results.

After taking the exam I debated whether to go directly home and get some much overdue rest or stop and have a celebratory drink - after all I completed the class, attended all six sessions, and took the exam. Range was within walking distance and very close to  a metro stop.  The bartender handed me a bar menu. No wine tonight. I selected the a cocktail named "devil you knew"- it featured mezcal.

I was sipping my refreshing cocktail when I spied the whiskies and bourbons neatly arranged on a nearby shelf. My mind began to catalog what I saw and the questions began to form? Pot distillation?  Column distillation? Hybrid distillation? Where was oak used in the bourbon from? How long had it aged? I finished the cocktail, paid the bill and left. It was going to take a while to decompress. Perhaps I should've gone home and had a cup of tea or hot chocolate after all.

Several questions have been posed to me that I would like to share with you.

• Q:Would you take the class again?
• A: Yes, I learned a great deal in the class and it helped clarify many things

• Q: Did you meet anyone in class?
• A: Um, no for a number of reasons. The class was fairly diverse with regards to gender, race, and ethnicity. I was one of the older students in class and one of a handful of students who was not employed in the food/beverage industry. Have you been talking to my mother? 

• What was your favorite topic?
• I enjoyed it all, but I  was surprised to discover I grasped champagne and sparkling wine better than I expected. 

• What's the benefit of taking the course?
• I think taking the course has multiple benefits for me. It strengthens my ability to articulate what I'm drinking and experiencing when I try a wine or spirit. Students who successfully pass the exam are given a pin and certificate - the credentials are recognized globally. Successfully completing the exam also means a student would be eligible to use the WSET certification logo.
  

The class was taught by three female instructors who shared their knowledge, wit, and perspective to help me better understand the world of wine and spirits. I've contacted the instructors to see if they would be willing to share their journey with us.  Stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, I will do as much as possible to keep me busy and not think about the exam results.


Be well,
Technicolor girl

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