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From 2018, the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) will expand its study programme to include a one-week training seminar in Germany. The place of study will be Neustadt an der Weinstraße, where the Weincampus Neustadt, one of the three large German wine universities, is located.
The German Wine Institute (DWI) and the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) have joined forces to offer aspiring "Masters of Wine" (MW) this programme for the theoretical part of the MW exams. Other hosts during the training week are the city of Neustadt and the marketing organisation Pfalzwein. Neustadt thus becomes the fifth MW seminar venue outside the UK, alongside Adelaide, Bordeaux, Rust and San Francisco.
According to a press release, DWI director Monika Reule sees the cooperation as an opportunity to strengthen the international reputation of Germany's wines and wine-growing regions: "The 'Master of Wine' students are highly influential opinion leaders from all over the world. They will learn a great deal from us first-hand about the special characteristics of wines from German wine-growing regions." VDP Managing Director Hilke Nagel adds: "The fact that we have been able to add Germany to the IMW's prestigious conference venues underlines the great importance attached to German wine internationally today. This is an exceptionally good opportunity for us to spread knowledge about Germany's top wines and special terroirs."
The title "Master of Wine" was first awarded in 1953 and is one of the most prestigious qualifications in the wine industry. Currently, 369 wine professionals worldwide hold the MW title, including eight Germans.