Language knowledge and ability to recognise wines ‘blind’
To give an idea of the intricate series of tests to be passed, when Gabriele Gorelli, the first Italian to enter, passed ‘stage two’, he recounted and analysed 36 wines, tasting them blind, in three batteries of 12 over three days.
With Cristina Mercuri the Italian premiere
Cristina Mercuri, lawyer, before dedicating herself to wine, was a lawyer in important international law firms where she dealt with mergers, acquisitions and intellectual property. Then came the oenological electrocution. In 2015, Mercuri chose to change career path, applying to the world of wine the same analytical rigour, method and discipline matured in the legal profession. In less than ten years, she has built a reference profile in the sector, leading to the title of Master of Wine.
The path to the Master of Wine title takes years of study. Cristina passed Stage 2 in 2022 (after only two attempts) then completed Stage 3 and was awarded the title.
‘It has been a very hard journey,’ comments Cristina Mercuri, ‘made up of daily study and no shortcuts. It has taught me method, humility and total dedication to work’.
Cristina Mercuri is now founder and CEO of Mercuri Wine Club, a strategic consulting company and training academy that supports companies and professionals in the development of wine positioning, communication and culture, integrating traditional and digital channels.
Dining and Cooking