More Diploma unit 3 essay feedback

64%. That's the mark I got for my last essay submitted as part of the distance learning Unit 3 programme. The essay subject was:

Explain why retail prices for New Zealand wines are high. Despite this, how has the NZ wine industry expanded its markets?"

Although assessed as being a comprehensive answer which covered all the main points, I should have covered how some of the wines have become cheaper over time thereby bringing down the average price. Although I emphasised how consistent the wines are and this alone helps justify a higher price, I should also have covered the problems of pests, diseases and birds and the problems faced by producers in a marginal climate.

There is a definite pattern to the feedback I'm getting on these essays. This is that whatever the subject I need to ensure I cover all the subject headings given in the Diploma specification - location, climate, soils, grape varieties, viticulture, vinification, maturation, vintage variations, trade/legal structures and markets. Despite some of the links seeming a bit tenuous between the essay topic and these subject headings it seems you can't go wrong if you cover all the headings.

The next essay due in by Tuesday of next week has as its subject:

"If I hear anybody order another bottle of Merlot I'm walking out (from the movie Sideways). Does Merlot only appeal to the mass market or can it achieve greatness? Discuss"

I haven't given any thought to this yet but the following immediately springs to mind - Merlot as a blend in Bordeaux, the importance of Merlot to Pomerol, the use of it in the New World by high quality producers. I suppose the mass market bit needs to address varietal labelling, for example in France and the importance of Merlot to New World countries such as Chile. Its flexibility of style is something else to explore I suppose.

The essays certainly make me think AND spend a lot of time in my books and on the net exploring.