Institute of Masters of Wine celebrates six new MWs
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to welcome six new Masters of Wine, from four different countries, into the Membership. The announcement brings the total number of Masters of Wine to 319, in 24 countries.
Two of the new Masters of Wine are American; two are British; and a German and a Swede complete the 2014 cohort. The gender split, at four women and two men, brings the total number of living female Masters of Wine to 97. In the last ten years almost fifty percent of new Masters of Wine have been women.
Penny Richards, Executive Director of the Institute, said “We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding individuals; their diligence and commitment to excellence will be great assets to our community, as will their diversity. Results day is always one of the most emotional in the Institute’s calendar, full of triumphs and disappointments. We’d like to offer congratulations to all those who sat the Master of Wine Examination in June, whatever their results. We had our greatest-ever number of candidates, and overall results for the Theory Examination were the best we’ve ever seen.”
The new Masters of Wine are as follows:
Natasha Hughes MW (UK)
Natasha is a freelance wine and food writer, consultant and educator. Her diverse career has included writing for some of the world’s most respected magazines and websites, consulting for the on-trade, businesses and private clients and hosting seminars and tastings for members of the trade and the public. Natasha also judges at wine competitions around the world.
Robin Kick MW (US)
Originally from Chicago, Robin works for fine wine trader, ARVI SA, in Lugano, Switzerland. Following studies at the Université du Vin in Suze-la-Rousse, France, she entered the wine trade in 1999. She is grateful to count Christie’s auction house and Burgundy-specialist, Goedhuis & Co. as previous employers who generously contributed to her education, knowledge and experience.
Anne Krebiehl MW (Germany)
Anne is a freelance wine writer and lecturer, based in London. Her work is published extensively in international trade and consumer publications. She lectures, particularly on German wine, consults for London restaurants and translates wine-related texts. Anne also judges at international wine competitions. She has harvested and helped to make wine in New Zealand, Germany and Italy. Anne becomes the fifth German Master of Wine, and is the second German woman after Caro Maurer MW to achieve the title.
Rob MacCulloch MW (UK)
Robert first worked with wine through Oddbins in 1995. Thereafter, he worked for Montana Wines in New Zealand, and then for Hatch Mansfield and Bibendum in the UK. He currently works full time for Burgundy specialist importers Domaine Direct and part time for independent retailer Taurus Wines.
Nicholas Paris MW (US)
Nicholas currently resides in Connecticut and is the senior manager of education for the E. & J. Gallo Winery in the US. Since joining the wine industry, Nicholas has held a variety of positions on the retail, wholesale, auction and winery sides of the business. During his wine career, Nicholas has been very active in education, wine judging and travel, and speaks several languages proficiently.
Louise Sydbeck MW (Sweden)
Louise, who has lived in France for 20 years, has been involved in the wine trade since the start of her professional career. After working as sommelier and wine tour guide in Sweden and France she set up her own business with her husband in Antibes supplying wines to luxury yachts along the French Riviera. Louise is the third Swedish Master of Wine, joining Ulf Sjödin MW and Madeleine Stenwreth MW. The six new MWs have each successfully submitted a Dissertation, which forms the third part of the Master of Wine Examination. Results were also announced for those who took the Theory and Practical (Closed Book) Papers in June, which form the first two parts of the Examination. The Dissertation is being replaced by a new third element, the Research Paper, from 2015. Applications for the first year of the Institute’s Study Programme, which closed on Friday, were up by 26 percent on application numbers for 2013.
Ends (08 September 2014)
Contact
For enquiries about this release please contact:
Ben McKeown
Communications Manager, Institute of Masters of Wine
T: +44 (0)207 383 9131
E: bmckeown@mastersofwine.org
www.twitter.com/mastersofwine
www.facebook.com/mastersofwine
Notes to Editors:
Dissertation titles
The titles of the successful Dissertation submissions are as follows:
Natasha Hughes MW: The market position of en rama sherries in the UK: current position and potential.
Robin Kick MW: An Emerging Renaissance? An Investigation of Whole Cluster Fermentation in Pinot Noir in the Côte d’Or.
Anne Krebiehl MW: The Future of Premium German Pinot Noir.
Rob MacCulloch MW: To what extent does cluster thinning Zinfandel vines after véraison affect content of principal red must and wine constituents? An examination of compositional differences produced by cluster thinned and un-thinned Zinfandel vines.
Nicholas Paris MW: Wine Scores and Consumer Purchasing Behaviour: The Level of Influence of Numerical Scores on Consumer Wine Purchasing Behaviour in the US Off-Trade.
Louise Sydbeck MW: The rise of ultra-premium rosés from Côte de Provence; a French trade perspective.