Award Winners Announced at Institute’s Annual Reception
The 11 new Masters of Wine of 2010 were formally welcomed into the membership of the Institute at its annual reception and awards ceremony at Vintners’ Hall in London last night (Wednesday, 3 November 2010).
Outstanding achievement in the Masters of Wine Examination was also recognised with the announcement of the Institute’s 2010 awards.
The Master of the Vintners’ Company, Martin Mason presented the new Masters of Wine with their certificates:
- David Allen MW (UK)
- Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW (Belgium)
- Sebastian Bredal MW (Norway)
- Ned Goodwin MW (Japan)
- Alex Hunt MW (UK)
- Melanie Jones MW (UK)
- Justin Knock MW (UK)
- Kate McIntyre MW (Australia)
- Rhys Pender MW (Canada)
- Jean Reilly MW (USA)
- Peter Richards MW (UK)
Five of the new Masters of Wine also received individual awards for outstanding performance in aspects of the examination.
Peter Richards MW received the Institute’s Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, for his overall performance in the examination. Peter was also the recipient of the Villa Maria Award for excellence in the viticulture paper and the Robert Mondavi Winery Award for overall excellence in the theory part of the examination.
The Madame Bollinger Award for excellence in the practical/tasting part of the exam was awarded to Alex Hunt MW.
The Noval Award for excellence in the dissertation went to Jean Reilly MW for her dissertation which examined US Sommelier attitudes towards German Riesling.
Rhys Pender MW received the inaugural Taransaud Tonnellerie Award for excellence in the production of wine paper, dealing with the maturation and handling of wine.
The Viña Errázuriz Award for excellence in the business of wine paper was awarded to Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Institute’s Chairman Lynne Sherriff MW said: “The international community of Masters of Wine is delighted to welcome these 11 new members. They have displayed exceptional knowledge, ability and dedication to reach this point. As MWs we share a passion for the art, science and business of wine and I am sure that the new MWs will be excellent ambassadors for wine at large and for the Institute as they pursue their own careers in the years ahead.
“We are also pleased to be able, with the generous assistance of our supporters, to recognise outstanding individual achievements in aspects of the examination through our annual awards.”
There are now 289 Masters of Wine based in 23 different countries around the world. Almost 280 students from 28 countries are currently enrolled in the Institute’s education programme which prepares candidates for the annual Masters of Wine examination.