Master Class Opens New Links with Italian Wine Professionals
The Institute’s first ever residential master class in Italy has been hailed a success after it attracted nearly 40 Italian wine professionals.
The two-and-a-half-day event was staged with the support of the Istituto del Italiano Vino di Qualità Grandi Marchi (Istituto Grandi Marchi) – a major supporter of the Institute – and held at Tenuta Tignanello in Tuscany.
It attracted 37 wine professionals from across Italy, many of whom work for Istituto Grandi Marchi members, and afforded them a detailed insight to what is involved in studying towards the Master of Wine trade qualification. The programme included blind tastings, seminars and discussions, which were led by Jane Hunt MW, who divides her time between the UK and Italy, and Mai Tjemsland MW from Norway.
There are currently 299 Masters of Wine in the world, based in 23 different countries. Almost 300 students from 29 different countries are currently enrolled in the Institute’s study programme which prepares candidates for the annual Masters of Wine Examination.
The event at Tignanello grew out of the shared commitment of the Institute and the Istituto Grandi Marchi to increase awareness of the Master of Wine in Italy and to encourage wine professionals to study for the qualification.
Siobhan Turner, Executive Director of the Institute said: “Italy is a significant force in the world of wine and we are delighted to have had this opportunity, supported by the Istituto Grandi Marchi, to inspire some of its talented professionals to study for the Master of Wine.”
Marchese Piero Antinori, President of the Istituto Grandi Marchi said: “The international approach of the Institute of Masters of Wine, as shown at the recent seminars held at Tignanello, can help the Italian wine sector become less ‘provincial’ and gain a broader and more comprehensive perspective of the world of wine both in terms of production and markets.”