Definition: Masters of Wine (Institute of)

An institute founded in London in 1955 with the aim of training British wine merchants and sommeliers to a very high standard. Only a small proportion of candidates who prepare for the difficult exams obtain the highly coveted Master of Wine (MW) qualification.

300 Masters of Wine (MW) worldwide in 2011

The Institute of Masters of Wine has just published the list of eleven successful candidates from the June 2011 examination, which was held simultaneously in London, Sydney and Napa. These graduates successfully passed the theoretical tests (a three-hour exam on the culture, economics and current issues in the industry) and practical tests (three blind tastings of a dozen wines), as well as submitting a 10,000-word dissertation on an original research topic chosen by the candidate and related to the sector.

Created in 1953, the prestigious title of Master of Wine (symbolised by the acronym MW, placed after the recipient's name) had 289 members last year. This year, there are 300 Masters of Wine worldwide, the first time the title has been held by so many people. Twenty-three nationalities are represented among the MWs, but the majority of graduates are British. Seventy-nine MWs are women.

Although the MW programme is not the only one with an international scope (the OIV Master's degree, which takes place on five continents over the course of a year, is another example), the value of this qualification lies in its rarity and the complexity of obtaining it (five years of study are generally required). Holders of the qualification are considered to be comprehensive experts in the world of wine, having also demonstrated their ability to communicate their knowledge. According to the Institute, there are currently 250 people studying to take the final exam.

No French nationals are among the 2011 cohort, which includes:

- Australian Michele Anderson MW, president of the American import company Wine Angel;

- American Christy Canterbury MW, writer;

- Sam Caporn MW from England, an independent consultant for wine-related events;

- Mary Gorman-McAdams MW from Ireland, teacher;

- Andy Howard MW from England, head of wine procurement for the British chain Marks and Spencer;

- Emma Jenkins MW from New Zealand, journalist and teacher;

- Richard Kershaw MW, English winemaker in South Africa;

- Paul Liversedge MW, purchasing manager at Badaracco (Switzerland);

- Caro Maurer MW, journalist, Germany;

- Mai Tanaka MW from Japan;

- Clem Yates MW, English winemaker for the British group J. Sainsbury.

Among the most famous current holders are British journalists Jancis Robinson MW and Tim Atkin MW, South African Debra Meiburg MW, specialist in Asian markets , and Pancho Campo MW, founder of the Wine Academy of Spain.