Master of Wine
Encyclopedia
Master of Wine is a qualification
(i.e. not an academic degree
) issued by The Institute of Masters of Wine in the United Kingdom
. The MW qualification is generally regarded in the wine industry as one of the highest standards of professional knowledge.
The institute was founded in 1955, but the MW examinations were first arranged in 1953 by the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Wine and Spirits Association.
industry. Its stated objectives are:
notes. This generally includes holding the Diploma level qualification of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust
, which is the highest level awarded by that organisation. In addition, they must be interviewed by, and obtain the mentoring of, an existing Master of Wine.
Candidates must sit both the theory (four papers) and practical (three blind tastings) parts of the examination in the same year. If they achieve success in only one part, however, they may attempt the remaining part in the subsequent two years. If successful at the examination stage, candidates must then write and submit a dissertation within six months of approval of a synopsis by the Institute's Education and Examination Board.
The process is challenging and rigorous. From 1993 to 2000, of the 266 candidates who undertook the programme a total of 85 were successful in passing all parts of the examination and becoming Masters of Wine.
Today, members hold a range of occupations including winemaker
s, viticulturists
, winemaking consultants, wine writers and journalists, wine educators, and wine service, restaurant and hotel management. In addition, many are involved in the purchasing, importing, distribution, sales and marketing of wine. Typically, sommelier
s choose to become Master Sommelier, but a handful of individuals have achieved both qualifications.
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
(i.e. not an academic degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
) issued by The Institute of Masters of Wine in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The MW qualification is generally regarded in the wine industry as one of the highest standards of professional knowledge.
The institute was founded in 1955, but the MW examinations were first arranged in 1953 by the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Wine and Spirits Association.
Objectives
The Institute of Masters of Wine is a non-profit organization funded by its members and by corporate sponsorship from within the wineWine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
industry. Its stated objectives are:
- To promote the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of wine;
- To uphold the highest standards within the wine industry;
- To enhance personal and professional goals in pursuing wine-related activities.
Qualification
Before being allowed to enroll for the three-year program of self-study and attendance of educational seminars presented by the Institute, potential candidates must convince the Institute that they have the necessary aptitude by submitting an essay and tastingWine tasting
Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onwards...
notes. This generally includes holding the Diploma level qualification of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Wine & Spirit Education Trust
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, often referred to as WSET, is a British organisation which arranges courses and exams in the field of wine and spirits. WSET was founded in 1969, is headquartered in London and is generally regarded as the world's leading provider of wine education. The courses...
, which is the highest level awarded by that organisation. In addition, they must be interviewed by, and obtain the mentoring of, an existing Master of Wine.
Candidates must sit both the theory (four papers) and practical (three blind tastings) parts of the examination in the same year. If they achieve success in only one part, however, they may attempt the remaining part in the subsequent two years. If successful at the examination stage, candidates must then write and submit a dissertation within six months of approval of a synopsis by the Institute's Education and Examination Board.
The process is challenging and rigorous. From 1993 to 2000, of the 266 candidates who undertook the programme a total of 85 were successful in passing all parts of the examination and becoming Masters of Wine.
Membership
Until 1983 the examination was limited to United Kingdom wine importers, merchants and retailers. The first non-UK Master of Wine was awarded in 1988. In 2005, there were 278 members of 18 different nationalities, living in 19 countries throughout the world. Most of the 74 members living outside the UK became members since about 1990. As of July 2010, there are 280 MWs in the world.Today, members hold a range of occupations including winemaker
Winemaker
A winemaker or vintner is a person engaged in winemaking. They are generally employed by wineries or wine companies, where their work includes:*Cooperating with viticulturists...
s, viticulturists
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...
, winemaking consultants, wine writers and journalists, wine educators, and wine service, restaurant and hotel management. In addition, many are involved in the purchasing, importing, distribution, sales and marketing of wine. Typically, sommelier
Sommelier
A sommelier , or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching...
s choose to become Master Sommelier, but a handful of individuals have achieved both qualifications.
Notable Masters of Wine
- Tim AtkinTim AtkinTim Atkin is a British Master of Wine, and wine correspondent of several publications.-Career:Atkin has published columns in The Observer, Observer Food Monthly, Off Licence News, Woman and Home, The World of Fine Wine, The Economist. Between 2000 and 2003 Atkin was editor of Harpers Wine and...
- Gerard BassetGerard BassetGerard Francis Claude Basset OBE is the owner with his wife, Nina, of Hotel Terravina, a New Forest Hotel near Southampton in Hampshire, United Kingdom...
- Nicolas BelfrageNicolas BelfrageNicolas Belfrage is a British Master of Wine, a wine writer and considered an expert on Italian wine.-Career:Belfrage was born in Los Angeles in 1940, the son of British/American socialist writer Cedric Belfrage and his wife Molly Castle...
- Michael BroadbentMichael BroadbentJohn Michael Broadbent MW is a British wine critic, writer and auctioneer in a capacity as a Master of Wine...
- Clive CoatesClive CoatesClive Coates is a British wine writer and Master of Wine, best known for his books about the wines of Burgundy.-Biography:Born in 1941, Clive Coates worked for The Wine Society in Stevenage in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1975 he founded the award-winning magazine The Vine, a monthly fine...
- Mary Ewing-MulliganMary Ewing-MulliganMary Ewing-Mulligan is an American author, wine educator and Master of Wine, the first American woman to achieve this accreditation. She has been the director of the school International Wine Center since 1984, and is executive director of the U.S. programs for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust...
- Doug FrostDoug Frost (wine)Doug Frost is an American Master of Wine, and Master Sommelier a well as an author and wine consultant based in Kansas City, Missouri.Frost is one of three individials in the world to simultaneously hold the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, along with Gerard Basset and Ronn Wiegand,...
- Anthony HansonAnthony HansonAnthony Hanson is a British Master of Wine and a senior consultant to Christie's International Wine Department, as well as an expert on Burgundy, an international wine judge and author. His book Burgundy was first published in 1982, and since reissued in 2003...
- Jeannie Cho LeeJeannie Cho LeeJeannie Cho Lee, is a Hong Kong-based, South Korean wine critic, author, journalist, consultant, wine educator and Master of Wine, the first ethnic Asian to achieve this accreditation.-Biography:...
- Brian McGrathBrian McGrathSir Brian McGrath, GCVO was the Private Secretary to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.He was educated at Eton College. In 1943-1946 he served in the Irish Guards, and after the war he joined Cannon Brewery . In 1948 went to Victoria Wine Ltd, of which he became a director in 1949, and was...
- Jasper MorrisJasper MorrisJasper Morris is a British Master of Wine since 1985, An expert on the wine of Burgundy, California and New Zealand, Jasper writes for several wine publications such as The World of Fine Wine, and holds lectures around the world....
- Jonathan PedleyJonathan PedleyJonathan Pedley is a leading UK authority on wine. Pedley was born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1962. As a child he attended the Royal Wolverhampton School where he was Head Boy in the academic year 1979-80....
- David PeppercornDavid PeppercornDavid Peppercorn is a British Master of Wine, French wine importer and author, known for his books about the wines of Bordeaux and long experience in his field, having collected tasting notes since the late 1950s. He is married to fellow MW and wine writer Serena Sutcliffe. They were the first...
- Jancis RobinsonJancis RobinsonJancis Mary Robinson OBE, MW is a British wine critic, journalist and editor of wine literature. She currently writes a weekly column for the Financial Times, and writes for her website jancisrobinson.com...
- Arne RonoldArne RonoldArne Ronold is a Norwegian Master of Wine, a journalist and editor of the Norwegian wine publication Vinforum, and considered an expert on Italian and Burgundy wine.-Career:...
- Igor RyjenkovIgor RyjenkovIgor Ryjenkov MW is a Toronto resident and Canada's first Master of Wine, and one of only 280 living MWs in the world. He is currently employed as a Product Consultant for the LCBO at the historic Summerhill branch in the former North Toronto Train Station....
- Pat SimonPat SimonStanley Patrick Evelyn Simon , known as Pat Simon, was a veteran English Master of Wine, wine-merchant and writer on wine.-Career:...
- Serena SutcliffeSerena SutcliffeSerena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine, is the head of Sotheby's international wine department, as well as a prominent writer on wine. She is married to fellow Master of Wine, David Peppercorn...
- John HoskinsJohn HoskinsJohn Hoskins , English miniature painter, the uncle of Samuel Cooper, who received his artistic education in Hoskins's house....