The Road to MW: An Interview with Phoebe French

The Curious Vines Education Support Awards offer extensive programmes to support candidates pursuing MW, MS, WSET Diploma, and CMS Advanced qualifications. We were delighted to support the MW programme this year, and met a few of the women taking part to hear how they have managed the qualification and what they hope to achieve in the future as they attempt to become the next generation of MW’s.

On a recent trip to Bordeaux with her fellow MW students, Phoebe found herself staring into a glass of 1936 Yquem. “Mind-blowing,” she says. It’s the kind of moment that captures both the magic and the enormity of the Master of Wine journey - the rare opportunities, but also the weight of history and knowledge that comes with them.

For Phoebe, who works as Content Manager at Majestic, the MW is as much about language as it is about tasting. Proofing copy on wine regions, styles, and winemaking helps cement her learning, while industry updates from the wider business sharpen her perspective on how wine is made, sold, and enjoyed today. “This exposure is so useful for understanding the broader industry landscape,” she says.

Her decision to start the MW wasn’t casual. “Studying for the MW has always been a goal of mine. I remember being told that more people had been on the moon than passed their MW, which I believe remains true to this day!” Winning the Derouet Jameson Award for her WSET Diploma gave her both the encouragement and financial support to take the leap.

Since then, the reality has set in. “It’s hard to grasp the scale of the MW programme until you’re in it,” she admits. Alongside a full-time role, it’s meant using every spare moment to study. A long commute three days a week will soon become revision time. “It is a constant juggling act, and I won’t deny that it’s been stressful.”

The real challenge, though, has been internal. “Confidence has been my biggest challenge. I’ve experienced some intense bouts of imposter syndrome at times,” she says. “The MW can be incredibly humbling, but it’s also taught me the importance of believing in myself, even when things get tough.”

Support has been vital. “My tasting group has been a lifeline,” she says. “The camaraderie, the constant encouragement, the chance to vent when it all gets too much - I don’t think I’d still be going without it.” Programmes like Curious Vines have also been central, offering her opportunities to taste more widely and grow in confidence. “I’ve seen definite improvement in my tasting thanks in no small part to Curious Vines,” she says.

Along the way, the programme has reshaped her perspective. “One of the things I appreciate most about the MW is how it places value on all categories of wine, from mass-market through to fine wines. I’d never been exposed to the intricacies behind bulk wine handling and transportation. The MW has definitely broadened my outlook.”

But there are obstacles that go beyond confidence or knowledge. “Greater access to scholarships and support programmes would make a huge difference,” she says. Without regular tasting in her professional role and with limited employer support in the past, the financial and practical challenges have been stark. “More funding opportunities, and more awareness in the industry about the scope and value of the MW, could really help candidates succeed.”

So what would she say to another woman considering it? Her answer is immediate. “Go for it! The tasting and networking opportunities through Curious Vines have been invaluable. I’ve grown in confidence, I’ve met incredible people, and I’ve had experiences I’ll never forget.”

For Phoebe, the MW is not just about mastering theory or passing exams — it’s about finding her voice, growing her confidence, and helping to make the path more accessible for those who follow.

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