The Institute of Masters of Wine

ProWeinMarch 2010

Facts & figures 2010

• 279 Masters of Wine world-wide

• 220 students from 25 countries

• 328 total have passed the exam

• 78 successful candidates in last 10 years

• 75 candidates took the timed exam in

2009

• Up to 22 candidates are due to submit a

dissertation in 2010

Institute milestones1953:first Masters of Wine examination1955:Institute created1988:first non-British MW (Michael Hill Smith)1989:first European MW (Olivier Humbrecht)1990:first MWs in North America1992:global education programme created1998:first central European MW (Josef Schuller)2008:first MWs in Asia 2008:first non-British Chairman (Josef Schuller)

What is a Master of Wine?• Internationally recognised expert in the art,

science and business of wine

• Ambassador for the wine trade

• Tastes like a detective, argues like a barrister

• Problem solver with excellent communication skills

Membership – geographic profile

Students – geographic profile

USA is single biggest country, with 69 students on the programme

Why study for the MW?• A set of industry-specific problem solving

skills• The ability to spot important trends• A global insight into all aspects of the wine

business• Improved communication skills• Discipline, commitment, perseverance• An unparalleled network of contacts at

senior levels in the wine industry • Respect – and humility

Three-part exam• Theory: four papers on:

– Production & Handling of Wine (two papers)

– Business of Wine– Contemporary Issues

• Practical: three 12-wine blind tastings• Dissertation

– 10,000 words– Original research topic

Forging Links Symposium

• Independent forum for industry leaders• 24th – 27th June 2010 in Bordeaux• Addressing links between all aspects of the

wine industry – a vision for the future of wine• Principal sponsor: Conseil Interprofessionnel

du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB)• Other sponsors:

– Bordeaux Tourism Office; Conseil des Crus Classés de Sauternes et Barsac; Conseil des Grands Crus Classés en 1855; the Madame Bollinger Foundation; Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux; Union des Maisons de Bordeaux; Riedel; San Pellegrino; and the Greek Wine Federation

Forging Links Symposium

• Internationally renowned speakers:– Alessia Antinori, Jean-Claude and Olivier Berrouet,

Eduardo Chadwick, Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Jean-Bernard and Jean-Philippe Delmas, Paul Draper, Peter Gago, Margareth Henriquez, Olivier Humbrecht MW, Jeannie Cho Lee MW, Zelma Long, Egon Müller, Alvaro Palacios, Paul Pontallier, Jancis Robinson MW, Michel Rolland, Christian Seely, Miguel and Mireia Torres, Moses Tsang, and Eric Le Vine

• Registration costs €895 (+TVA) and includes:– all Symposium sessions (keynote speeches, panel

discussions and tastings) – prestigious lunches and dinners

• www.mwsymposium.com for more information

Principal Supporters

Major Supporters• Madame Bollinger Foundation• Constellation Europe• CVBG-Dourthe-Kressmann• Esterhazy Foundation• Istituto Grandi Marchi• Ets. JP Moueix• Maison Louis Jadot• San Pellegrino• Taransaud Tonnellerie• Villa Maria Group• Viña Errazuriz• The Vintners’ Company• Waitrose • Wines of Hungary

A practical question…Wines 1 – 6 come from 6 different countries, and are all based on the same single grape variety, although some wines may be blended with a minority of other varieties.

a) With reference to all six wines, identify the principal grape variety.

Then, for each wine:b) Identify the origin as closely as possible.c) With reference to what you can taste in

the glass, discuss how the wine has been made and its quality level, in the context of its region of production.

Thank you

www.mastersofwine.org