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Peter Marks on Becoming Master of Wine, Grueling Written Exams & Blind Tastings, Only 32 in North America: In a fascinating segment of the On Travel Radio Show, co-hosted by Paul Lasley, it is revealed by the guest that he is a Master of Wine which brings a sense of deep recognition from the host. Paul Lasley says that this title is a "recognition of true genius" and he wants to know about the regimen to obtain such a lofty title. Marks notes that there are only 32 Masters of Wine in North America and that becoming is a "truly humbling experience." For this reason, when he gives lectures about wine, Peter Marks always thinks about his struggles in the program to remind himself that "we all must start somewhere." There are various classes during the year, held around the world, and every student is assigned a mentor to perform various assignments. The final exam consists of a three day blind tasting tests that involve white the first day, red the second day and sparkling & desert wines the third day, but they can always throw in a curve ball on the last day. In contrast to Master of Wine and Master Sommelier taste tests, the MW are asked to identify grape variety or region, wine making techniques, describe the quality and asses the maturity, commercial position and more. Marks notes that applying your knowledge to a business environment like is a wine is best served in a glass, in a white tablecloth restaurant, etc. Then a five-day written exam where, unlike the blind tasting, one can use a computer. After that the Master of Wine candidate writes the equivalent of a dessertation to finally become a Master of Wine, which puts one in rarefied part of the wine business. For more about AmaWaterways go to www.AmaWaterways.com About Peter Marks, Master of Wine: Peter Marks is one of only 24 Masters of Wine residing in the U.S. In 1995, he passed the rigorous MW exam and became the first American to garner the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award which is bestowed to the MW candidate with the highest tasting score. Peter graduated from UC Davis in 1976 with a BS degree with highest honors in Food Service Management and became interested in wine while attending a number of viticulture and enology classes. Since entering the wine trade in 1981, he has held the positions of Director of Wine at the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chief Wine Merchant at the on-line wine retailer Wine.com, and Senior Vice President of Wine at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. Peter is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators; Education Coordinator for the Institute of Masters of Wine tasting exam in the US; is on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Wine Library and judges many international wine competitions.