Master of Wine

The Institute of Masters of Wine ( IMW ) is a non-profit founded in 1953 organization based in London, UK. It was originally set up to promote through specialized additional training in the skills of employees in the UK wine trade. The IMW has since become a well-known private and fee-based educational center of the international wine industry. A successful completion of the non-academic exam is associated with the award of the title Master of Wine (MW).

History of the Institute

The first Master of Wine exams were held in 1953 under the auspices of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Wine and Spirits Association. Six candidates met the requirements and were given the first time the title of Master of Wine. The Institute itself took in 1955 on his work.

In the first 30 years of its existence, the tests were the British ' traders in wine ", so wine merchants ( and the Institute precisely defined as importers, distributors and retailers ) reserved. In the 1980s, the shooting conditions were first loosened so far, as for example, wine authors were able to take the exams. Only in 1987 the access was made possible even outside of UK based candidates.

Training

The training to become a Master of Wine offers an extensive wine education in the form of seminars with a high proportion of self-study. It is a training outside the academic higher education. It ends after two years with a written report, the training in Europe and the U.S. and Australia may differ. Preparation seminars are offered in the UK, the USA, Australia, and since 2004 also in Austria. For the training to become a Master of Wine costs are incurred at the Institute of Masters of Wine, which may be in Europe, depending on the selected training modules, to more than 5,000 euros. The test is very demanding, only about 30 % of the candidates have recently ( 1993-2000 ) passed all tests and became the " Master of Wine ".

Currently there are about 300 people a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine. Members of the IMW wear behind their name the abbreviation MW ( Master of Wine ).

Tests

Qualifying and final examinations for the courses are held once a year at the same time in London, Sydney and California. The final exam consists of a theory and a practical part. Main topics are the vineyards, cellar technology and business knowledge, particularly in business management, quality control, marketing, sales. A general part also requires knowledge of the social aspects, such as politics and wine, the use of alcohol or the influence of wine on art and culture. In the practical part twelve wines must be tasted blind, described and identified in half an hour.

Cooperation

Due to a cooperation agreement, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board ( AWM ) with the IMW the pre- training can be completed in Austria at the Wine Academy in Rust since 2004.