Master of Wine, Mistress of Jealousy

More on this later, but the hospitality we enjoyed in France belies the French reputation for rudeness – I don’t speak much French beyond oui and plus de vin, s’il vous plait (not sure if that really means ‘more wine, please’ but it seemed to work) but our hosts were charming and very generous in sharing wine. As long as you keep saying that France produces les vins superieures, mostly because they are French, they love you.

I am also undertaking my Master of Wine course which is tough to fit in with everything else, but very rewarding.  The course is a qualification (rather than an academic degree) from The Institute of Masters of Wine. You have to be mentored by a Master of Wine, write four essays, a longer dissertation and pass three blind tastings. You complete the course at your own pace and the wines you are tested on are some of the best on the planet.

Here’s hoping I can wrangle a tax break for doing the course and get back to France next year. (Just don’t tell Bron.)

Oh, and the highlight so far?  A bottle of 1929 Chateau Pontet-Canet.  Magical!

Cheers, Sam Plunkett