Six MW students receive Austrian Wine scholarship
Austrian Wine has awarded a special scholarship to six stage two MW students whose finances have been negatively affected by the pandemic. They each share a portion of £12,000.
Recognising the challenges that students have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose of the scholarship is to support students in continuing with the MW study programme despite the financial difficulty they face.
A principal supporter of the IMW, Austrian Wine coordinates the efforts of the Austrian wine industry to maintain quality and sales through its marketing activities. They have supported the MW study programme for almost two decades, ranging from hosting the stage one MW study programme seminar at the Weinakademie Österreich in Rust to sponsoring the Outstanding Achievement Award for the best overall student in the MW exam.
Chris Yorke, CEO of Austrian Wine, said, “As long-term supporters of the IMW, we are distressed at the hardships that some students are facing. We therefore gladly provide the MW student scholarship.”
The scholarship was open to stage two students who could demonstrate why the funds are required and what difference the money would make to their study journey.
Due to the sensitive nature of this scholarship, the IMW will not name the students who received a share of the fund.
Image: © Austrian Wine / WSNA
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 415 Masters of Wine working in 31 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 349 students from 40 countries in the 2022-23 MW study programme. The IMW works with 36 supporters and three 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.