MW student Tao Platon awarded the Lallemand bursary
Master of Wine student Tao Platón is the 2022 Lallemand bursary winner.
Tao is a stage two MW student and receives £1,500 towards the cost of his studies.
Lallemand is a leading producer of wine yeast and bacteria, and their nutrients and a distributor of oenological enzymes. Their Oenology Division focuses on research, development, and education. A long-time supporter of the IMW, they established the bursary for MW students in 2010.
A panel of Masters of Wine and Lallemand selected Tao as the winner. To be considered for the bursary, Lallemand asked students to prepare an essay on: Biogenic Amines in wine: what is the source, what is the potential impact to human health and what are the options available to winemakers to control its levels?
This is the second time Tao, the technical director for Peninsula Vinicultores, has received the bursary. He was announced as the 2019 winner for his analysis of the latest information on malolactic bacteria.
On receiving the prize, Tao said, “I sincerely appreciate this recognition from Lallemand, which will help my studies. With the topics they raise for their prizes, Lallemand push me to investigate current problems and the new scientific reality to address them. It makes me a better student and a better professional. It is a real honour to win this award again.”
Ann Dumont, Lallemand communications manager, said, “Congratulations to Tao for winning the Lallemand prize. His essay showed a mastery of the topic and well-researched, science-based comprehension. We wish him the best of luck for the rest of his studies and hope that winning the prize was a further encouragement.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
Belinda Eaton
Marketing and Communications Manager
Institute of Masters of Wine
+44 (0)207 383 9136
beaton@mastersofwine.org
Notes to editors:
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For almost 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 414 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 307 students from 36 countries in the 2022-23 MW study programme. The IMW works with 36 supporters and two research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Constellation Brands, the Madame Bollinger Foundation, and Waitrose and Partners.