Madame Bollinger Foundation becomes Institute Principal Supporter
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to announce that the Madame Bollinger Foundation has become a Principal Supporter of the Institute.
The Madame Bollinger Foundation, which was previously a Major Supporter, joins AXA Millésimes, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, and Waitrose as a Principal Supporter.
The Madame Bollinger Foundation was founded in 1987 by Christian Bizot in honour of his aunt Madame Lily Bollinger. The purpose of the Madame Bollinger Foundation is to promote excellence in oenology and to foster quality, education, professional qualification and ethics in all matters relating to wine at an international level. It became the Institute’s first Supporter in 1988, and in 2014 we celebrate the 25th year of our partnership.
Christian Bizot himself was appointed an Honorary Master of Wine – one of only four honorary MWs in the Institute’s history, along with Harry Waugh (UK), Chris Hancock (Australia), and Robert Mondavi (USA).
His son Etienne Bizot, Madame Bollinger’s great nephew, and Chairman of the Madame Bollinger Foundation, said “I am delighted that our Foundation is celebrating 25 years of support for the Institute of Masters of Wine by becoming a Principal Supporter. This reaffirms the commitment of the Bollinger family to the great cause of excellence in wine education, and strengthens our long term support to the important work the institute carries out the world over.”
Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Jean-Michel Valette MW said “The Madame Bollinger Foundation has always recognised the relevance of the Master of Wine qualification to the global wine trade. 25 years ago, when the Institute had ambitions to internationalise the Study Programme, the support and encouragement of the Madame Bollinger Foundation was instrumental in achieving that goal. We thank them for making this new commitment as a Principal Supporter, and also for their continuing friendship and the interest they take in the Institute. Our partnership has been a long and fruitful one, and we value it greatly.”
The Madame Bollinger Foundation also awards The Bollinger Medal each year for excellence in tasting and outstanding achievement in the Institute of Masters of Wine practical examinations. The 2014 recipient was Anne McHale MW. Previous recipients have included Isabelle Legeron MW (2009), Essi Avellan MW (2006) and Gerard Basset MW (1998).
Ends (12 May 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
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