Asian Palate is delighted to share the news that 9 new Masters of Wine have been admitted to the Institute this year. They represent a fresh new force joining the concerted efforts of 280 current Masters of Wine worldwide in upholding and promoting the highest educational and professional standards in the wine trade. The 9 new Masters of Wine are:

David Allen MW
David, based London, UK, is the new Private Customer Sales Manager at Coe Vintners.
His dissertation topic was: An Examination of the Effectiveness of Wine as an Investment Vehicle for UK-based Individuals.

Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW
Pedro is Spanish, living in Belgium. He is a public servant with the European Commission, now focusing on green energy projects. His dissertation topic was: The new EU Common Market Organisation for Wine: identification and analysis ofdriving forces in the policy-making process.

Sebastian Bredal MW
Sebastian, from Norway, is Managing Director of Symposium Wines. His dissertation topic was: Investigating the factors that influence consumers’ purchasing behaviour of wine in the Norwegian off-trade market.

Alex Hunt MW
Alex, based in London, is Purchasing Director of Berkmann. His dissertation was: Rising Must Weights in California: Trends, Causes and Implications for Winemaking.

Mel Jones MW
Mel is a wine writer and web master based in Gloucestershire, UK. Her dissertation was: Factors which contribute towards successful sales of premium sherry in UK restaurants and their bars.

Justin Knock MW
Justin is the Wine Buying Manager for Treasury Wine Estates (previously Fosters). He is Australian, but based in London, UK, and his dissertation topic was: How important is regionality to the marketing and sales of Australian wine in the UK market?

Kate McIntyre MW
Kate, from the Mornington Peninsula in Australia, is Marketing Manager of Moorooduc Wine Estates. Her dissertation was: Australian Chardonnay in crisis – reality or industry percept.

Jean Reilly MW
Jean, based in New York, USA, is a wine buyer and wine journalist. Her dissertation was: US Sommelier attitudes towards German Riesling.

Peter Richards MW
Peter, based in Winchester, UK, is a wine writer and broadcaster, as well as co-owner with his wife Susie Barrie MW of the Winchester Wine School. His dissertation topic was: Prospects for premium Chilean Syrah: UK wine trade perspective.