Constellation Brands awards 2019 stage one Master of Wine student scholarship
NAPA, Calif. (September 10, 2019) – Constellation Brands has awarded the first of two Master of Wine (MW) student scholarships this year to Sonoma-based wine writer and educator Matthew Gaughan. Gaughan achieved the highest overall score of any North American student in the stage one assessment. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship award sponsored by Constellation Brands to assist with his continued studies as he progresses to stage two. In addition, Constellation Masters of Wine Nova Cadamatre MW and Mark de Vere MW, will host him at Robert Mondavi Winery for a special tour and tasting this fall.
“I am delighted to receive the student scholarship from Constellation,” says Gaughan. “Studying for the MW takes a great deal of time, effort and financial investment, so to receive support from the industry is very helpful and bolsters my commitment to the programme.”
Gaughan grew up in northwest England and now lives in the heart of California’s wine country in Sonoma County. After completing a PhD in English Literature, his love of wine took him away from academia to selling, writing about and teaching about wine. He is a WSET Certified Educator and teaches classes at Grape Experience in San Francisco. His website, Matthew’s World of Wine and Drink, is dedicated to wine education, as is his podcast of the same name, which is available on the site, iTunes, and SoundCloud. He is currently developing a personally curated online wine club for enthusiasts looking for unusual and unique wines from around the world.
Constellation Brands has been an active supporter of the MW study programme for over two decades, and in 2019 became a principal supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW). In addition to financial support, the company provides the venue for the MW examination in San Francisco each year, awards two annual scholarships to students in the MW study programme, and sponsors the Robert Mondavi Winery Award, presented each year to a new MW who has achieved the best overall result in the theory part of the MW examination. Constellation employees include Masters of Wine Nova Cadamatre MW (Senior Director of Winemaking) and Mark de Vere MW (Director of Wine Education).
ENDS
For more information contact:
Sarah Kirkpatrick
Head of Marketing, Communications and Membership
Institute of Masters of Wine
+44 (0)207 383 9131
skirkpatrick@mastersofwine.org
Elizabeth Caravati
Senior Manager, Communications
Wine & Spirits
Constellation Brands
415-609-6108
elizabeth.caravati@cbrands.com
Notes to Editors:
Constellation Brands is a leading international producer and marketer of wine, beer and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, Italy and Canada. Based in Victor, N.Y., the company believes that industry leadership involves a commitment to brand building, our trade partners, the environment, our investors and to consumers around the world who choose our products when celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones. Since its founding in 1945, Constellation’s ability to see, meet and stay ahead of shifting consumer preferences and trends across total beverage alcohol has fueled our success and made us the No. 1 growth contributor in beverage alcohol in the U.S.
www.cbrands.com
The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is a membership organisation with an unsurpassed international reputation. Its Members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – hold the most respected title in the world of wine. The IMW promotes excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs have proved their understanding of all aspects of wine by passing the MW examination, recognised worldwide for its rigour and high standards. In addition to passing the examination, MWs are required to sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. The code of conduct requires MWs to act with honesty and integrity, and use every opportunity to share their understanding of wine with others. There are currently 390 Masters of Wine today, working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, buyers, journalists, shippers, business owners, consultants, academics, and wine educators. There were 359 students in the 2018-2019 MW study programme from over 45 countries.