News Flash! Format Update regarding the CWE Exam (Tasting Portion)

In today’s world, identifying a wine in a blind tasting—or, in the context of SWE’s Certified Wine Educator (CWE) exam, a semi-blind tasting—seems to be losing relevance as an accurate gauge of the skillset involved in the sensory evaluation of wine.

As such, we have decided to revise the format of the varietal/appellation identification portion of the CWE exam and rename it as simply the CWE Tasting Exam.

The reality is this: we are seeing definitive changes in what was once considered to be the benchmark or typical style in many iconic wines. Good examples of this shift-in-progress include Rioja, Oregon Pinot Noir, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, and even Bordeaux. Soon, the wine world may need to accept that many regions are seeing such changes due to regulatory revisions, advances in wine making technology, adaptations in viticulture, stylistic development, and/or climate change.

• Effective immediately, the new format of the CWE Tasting Exam will be as follows:
  • Candidates will be presented with a flight of four unidentified wines. Using the SWE Wine Tasting Grid—CWE—which will be provided and available for use during the exam—candidates will be asked to provide a written analysis and tasting note of each wine. The total time allotted will be one hour.
  • Each wine assessment will be worth up to 30 points, as detailed on the tasting grid. In addition to providing descriptions of the appearance, aroma, taste components, and quality of the wine, candidates will be asked to match the identity of each wine using a provided list of possible answers. Only one point (out of the 30 possible for each wine) will be dependent upon the accurate identification of the wine.
  • The minimum passing score—combining the responses for all four wines—will be 90 points (out of a possible 120).

SWE acknowledges the diversity of human sensory perception and will accept a range of descriptive vocabulary in candidate answers. We are looking for responses that are demonstrative, logical, consistent, and appropriate for each specific wine.

Note: The format of this exam may be modified for use in a virtual setting, which may involve verbal assessments in place of—or in addition to—the written exercises.

If you have any questions, please contact Jane Nickles at jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org.