I was delighted to learn today that 10 new Masters of Wine have been announced and will join this elite group of global wine professions who operate at the pinnacle of wine achievement.

Considering the incredibly difficult and trying times we find ourselves in due to the pandemic in the 2020/21 academic year, this positive news certainly is a ray of hope and sunshine confirming that life does indeed continue, if not completely unhindered, and reminds us of a better time to come. Congratulations to my 10 new colleagues joining us at the Institute of Masters of Wine.

Based in five countries, the new IMW members – including the first MW based in Italy – are James Doidge MW (UK), Gabriele Gorelli MW (Italy), Susan Lin MW (US), Moritz Nikolaus Lueke MW (Germany), Sophie Parker-Thomson MW (New Zealand), Álvaro Ribalta Millán MW (UK), Tze Sam MW (UK), Melissa Saunders MW (US), Kryss Speegle MW (US) and Clare Tooley MW (US).

There are now 418 MWs globally – 149 women and 269 men living or working in 32 countries. Since the first exam hosted in 1953, 493 people have become a Master of Wine.