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Have a look at this year’s exam paper: https://www.mastersofwine.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MW-exam-questions-and-wines-2026.pdf
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https://www.instagram.com/konstantinbaum_mw/
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@konstantinbaum_mw
Check out my website:
https://www.cellarclass.com/
https://www.konstantinbaum.com/
https://baumselection.com/
I have used the following glass from my partner Spiegelau in this video:
SPIEGELAU Definition Universal Wine Glass: https://www.spiegelau.com/en-int/spiegelau-definition-universal-wine-glass/1350161?mtm_campaign=2026_cont_ec_baum&mtm_source=yt&mtm_medium=sea&mtm_content=feed&mtm_group=bgw&mtm_placement=link
I have tasted the following wines in this Video:
2024 Domäne Wachau – Freie Weingärtner Bruck Riesling Federspiel, Wachau, Austria
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/dom+frei+weingart+brucke+riesling+feder+spiel+wachau+austria/2024?referring_site=KSB
2024 Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/pewsey+vale+dry+riesling+eden+valley+barossa+south+australia/2024?referring_site=KSB
2025 Cantine Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna, Sardinia, Italy
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/cantina+argiolas+costamolino+vermentino+di+sardinia+italy/2025?referring_site=KSB
2025 Gaia Thalassitis, Santorini, Greece
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/gaia+thalassitis+santorini+aegean+island+greece/2025?referring_site=KSB
2021 Melini Isassi (I Sassi), Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/melini+isassi+docg+chianti+cls+tuscany+italy/2021?referring_site=KSB
2021 Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Italy
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/castellodiama+st+lorenzo+grand+select+docg+chianti+cls+tuscany+italy/2021?referring_site=KSB
I use this wine key: Forge de Laguiole Ebony
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.
In early June of this year, 111 people from around the world walked into an exam room.
Well, it was not one exam room, but three different rooms in locations around the globe: Napa, London, and Adelaide.
They were all nervous when they sat down and prepared their glasses and their spittoons, because they knew a lot was on the line.
They had prepared for years for this moment, spent time away from their families, paid for the program, and bought wines, airplane tickets, and books to study.
Many had failed before, and most of them were likely not going to succeed this time.
But still, they were going to give it a shot—to prove to the world that they had mastered the topic they felt so much passion for, not knowing that they never would.
This was the scene earlier this summer during this year’s Master of Wine exam.
A couple of weeks after the exam had concluded, the questions and the wines that were tasted were published, and I thought that—after passing the exam more than 10 years ago—it was time to see whether I still had it.
My team has selected 6 out of the 36 wines for me to taste blind. I don’t know what the wines are, and I don’t know what the questions will be—yet …
26 Comments
Riesling usually has that tennis ball or petrol on the nose and you didn't mention that. So I guessed Chenin Blanc (from France and South Africa). Somehow that grape didn't pop up in your mind. Love the Bordeaux styles in Italy as well as Chianti Classico. Delicious wines. Great job, you clearly still have it!!
fantastic video.
What happened to part 2 of the red wine you made yourself about 4 years ago? 🙂
Konstantin you’re a great sommelier , a great professional and a humble and nice person.
Thank you for making high level tastings available to all.
As I’m also a professional sommelier and manager, although not near your level nor knowledge, you’re how a modern professional in wine should be: relaxed, open minded, easy, great communicator, knowledgeable without being cocky and above all you make it fun and achievable for anyone.
I follow you for several years and you’re the best around.
Big respect for you and let’s hope more professionals can pick up from your style and professionalism
To be a sommelier you neen a fine sense of taste and vast experience and not least a lively imagination!
I am a follower of your channel, I practically have been watching 100% of your videos. This one makes the difference. At this one we can watch a Master of wine working hard, focus on the target with purpose, sharp, vertical. It has been really amazing watching it, brutal. Many thanks
I am surprised you didn't talk much about level of sweetness when the grape is Riesling. Also the lowish alcohol. TCA?
Following along, I'm quite happy with guessing wine number 3 correctly based on your description. I carry an Argiolas Vermentino de Sardegna at the wine shop I manage, though a different label, and when I tasted it, I was surprised by its body and texture, as it's slightly more weighty than other Vermentino I've tasted, even from Sardegna, so I just guessed it might be that one. Didn't guess the same label, but at least I got the winery! Haha! Must be a stylistic choice they make with that variety.
New Masters of Wine announced tomorrow!
Is it possible to fail these exams if you get the type of grape and other features right but just don’t get the country or region correct?
The moment you touch the bottle and feel its shape, it already gives you a pretty big hint that it’s going to be a Riesling.
I was yelling "Albarino!" for wine #3. I was not correct, but curious why Albarino wasn't part of the thought process?
Great video, you're motivating me to jump back into blind tasting. I'm not anywhere close to taking the MW exam, lol. Over the next two or so years, I do want to do CMS Advanced Somm, and that's probably crazy enough for me.
As one of those 111 he mentioned, this was a blast to watch someone else try to taste and reason their way through these questions. I think it also gives a little window into what MW students are examined on (albeit under much less stress and time constraint!!!). Good job, sir!
Hey ! Love your videos ! Would you ever do a video about japanese sake ?
Recently did the 12 wines blind for WSET 4. MW is another level of hurt! 🤣
It's impressive how much knowledge there is to be had about wine…let alone actually knowing so much of it. Very interesting video.
❤ You, Konstantin!! You make me a better wine person every day!!
This is so helpful to observe. thank you for this great public service!
Wines 1 and 2: can you say more about the writing process and scoring system; after all you did mention the Wachau and said 12% instead of 11,5% … where is the difference?? Even the age difference was basically correct. If you had written it like that, shouldn't you have gotten at least 80% of the score?
Love love these please do more! I managed to guess Reisling Wachau / Assyrtiko Santorini and Sangiovese from your descriptions 🙌🏼 just shows how listening to you describing wine for years has influenced me 😅. Also pulled Sardinia out of the hat, complete luck but I guessed it might be another med island. I never get the chance to blind taste as I’m quite a loner when it comes to wine. But I’m v happy to do it vicariously through you!
"Wine is red, from Earth,…thats all i got."
Is it considered more difficult or equivalent to the MS exam?
1 look at the label is worth 30 years in the trade.
2:39 ! Sharpies have a smell!
Ausgezeichnet!