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How To Pass Advanced Theory: Flash Cards

By Mark Law Leave a Comment

The Deck.

Before my first attempt at the Advanced Sommelier Exam, I did not use flash cards.

It just seemed a step too far, a blunt instrument to be used as a last resort when nothing else worked.

Even the Green Pin Manifesto (credit: Jaime Pinedo), a resource I referred to repeatedly, ultimately dismissed flash cards as too one-dimensional.

Also, I did not want to think that I needed to use such a crude method.

I began to draw lots of maps instead, something I was initially uncomfortable with. However, I gradually came to enjoy it.

The Pearl of the Côte.

Sadly, after not succeeding in my first attempt, I was forced to reevaluate my methods.

I had studied much of the world of wine, but while it was quite broad, it was not yet sufficiently deep.

Perhaps it was enough for day-to-day table-side conversation.

But not for the Advanced Sommelier Exam.

I needed a new weapon. And now I was willing to try anything.

Overcoming Stubbornness

Well, I said “anything”, but it still took me a while to come around.

I had recently discovered the power of Journaling.

I was covering material at an unprecedented depth and pace.

I continued meeting with my study group, throwing out random theory questions in between tastings.

Others in my study group had jumped on the flash card bandwagon way before I did.

While I might have had to flip through my journal to come up with an appropriate question, they could just randomly draw a card from their deck and fire away.

But the final straw was when a question was asked:

“What is the main grape of Bucelas?”

I drew a blank. Who or what was Bucelas?

Someone else answered: “Portuguese DOP, white wines from Arinto.”

Portugal. I had studied that back in May 2019.

I flipped through my journal…

Well, shit.

There it was. Black and white. In my own handwriting.

I had studied it and forgotten it.

Son of a bitch.

I learned something new that day: Theory was a whale.

How do you devour a whale?

One bite at a time.

I think I went and bought my first pack of flash cards that day.

Facing My Fears

One card at a time, I came to see just how much I was missing in my Theory.

For example, Germany had been a black hole.

On the surface, I dismissed it as unimportant. But really, I was intimidated. I was scared of the language, the producers, the grapes and crossings, and all the millions of Bereiches I would have to memorise…

Millions? Flash cards in hand, I put it to the test.

Far from millions, there were probably fewer than twenty I needed to know.

The Anbaugebiete of Mosel only had six: Burg Cochem, Bernkastel, Ruwertal, Obermosel, Saar, Moseltor.

Another flash card done.

Rheingau only had one. One! Johannisberg!

Didn’t even need a flash card for that, but made one anyway.

Was this really what I was afraid of?

How embarrassing.

Moving on…

One Bite At A Time

Portugal was only the beginning.

I flipped through my study journal and found copious amounts of information that I had written down but struggled to recall.

  • Austrian DACs
  • Italian DOC/DOCGs
  • Fortified wines – ageing requirements
  • Burgundy Premier and Grand Crus
  • Champagne Prestige and Single-Vineyard Cuvees
  • Greek PDOs and grapes
  • Synonyms for obscure grape varieties
  • Subzones of lesser-known French regions
  • Vintages: Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Rhône Valley, Italy…
  • Cocktails
  • Canadian DVAs
  • Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary…

The amount of material was mind-numbing.

I broke them down, one card at a time.

Flash Cards Redeemed

There are people who passed Theory without having to use flash cards.

Maybe I wanted to think that I was one of them.

After failing my first attempt at Theory, I examined myself more closely.

I tried some new things.

On my second attempt, I passed.

Far from being a blunt instrument, it proved to be a multi-tool, effective for tackling any topic I cared to throw at it.

I’m glad I came around. Otherwise I would have remained ignorant.

If you happen to be studying anything that requires extensive powers of recall, I hope reading this will encourage you to give flash cards a try.

And the occasional glass of wine wouldn’t hurt either.

Read more: How To Start Your Own Wine Cellar

Related Posts

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  • How I Memorized Over 100 Years of Declared Port VintagesHow I Memorized Over 100 Years of Declared Port Vintages
  • Day In The Life: The Advanced Sommelier ExamDay In The Life: The Advanced Sommelier Exam

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October 8, 2019 Filed Under: Day In The Life, Thinking Sober

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