From 2018, the Masters of Wine (MW) Study Progamme will include a one-week educational seminar in Germany. The German Wine Institute (DWI) has joined forces with the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP), to offer the educational seminar for MW students studying the theory part of the MW examination. The initiative will additionally be supported by the town of Neustadt, as well as the regional marketing body Pfalzwein e.V.
To date, there are worldwide only four MW seminar venues outside the United Kingdom: San Francisco, Adelaide, Rust and Bordeaux.
Speaking on the new initiative, Jane Masters MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) said, “The MW educational seminars are hugely important as students prepare for the rigorous MW exams, which test all aspects of the art, science and business of wine. I would like to thank the German Wine Institute and the VDP in particular for their support. The setting in the heart of the Pfalz will bring added benefits to candidates, all of whom are experienced wine professionals from around the world.”
DWI managing director Monika Reule considers this cooperation an excellent opportunity to strengthen the international reputation of the wines and terroirs of Germany. “The Masters of Wine students are very influential opinion makers from all over the world and by coming to us they will be able to learn first-hand a great deal about the special features of wines from German wine regions”.
“Being able to add Germany to the list of prestigious venues for the IMW highlights how important German wine has become internationally. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to spread knowledge of Germany’s fine wines and great terroirs,” adds Hilke Nagel, managing director of VDP.
The title of Master of Wine, first awarded in 1953, is one of the most respected and prestigious qualifications in the world of wine. There are currently only 369 MWs in the world. There are over 320 students from 40 countries in the MW Study Programme, who hope to attain the coveted MW title in the coming years. To become a Master of Wine students need to pass all three stages of the Study Programme; the stage 1 assessment, the stage 2 MW theory and practical examinations and the final stage, the research paper.
To date, nine wine professionals from Germany have been named Masters of Wine: Konstantin Baum, Markus del Monego, Romana Echensperger, Alison Flemming, Anne Krebiehl, Caro Maurer, Frank Röder, Janek Schumann and Jürgen von der Mark.
