Italy desperately needs Masters of Wine. After ignoring for decades the importance of this respected institution (for Italian brands' awareness and trade), the Italian wine industry took recently the initiative to search for candidates able to compete to enter in the restricted group of international Masters of Wine: actually they are 312 from 24 countries, only Pierpaolo Petrassi represents Italians in this group (he lives and works in UK).

This 2014 will be a key year when, from 15 to 18 May 2014, delegates from all over the world will be gathering in Florence for the Institute of Masters of Wine's 8th Symposium.

And, coming to our more close interest, under the initiative of Istituto del Vino Italiano di Qualità Grandi Marchi, which brings together 19 Italian wineries (see the list below), and with the partnership of the Institute of Masters of Wine itself, Valpolicella will be the next place to welcome their joined activities: the Foresteria Serego Alighieri (in Gargagnago, near Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella) to host the working sessions from March 7th to 9th that act as the introduction to the strict programme of studies for the title of Master of Wine.

If you have the right qualifications and you are interested to try, or simply you want more details, please read the official press release hereafter.

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Press Release

WINE: THIRD ITALIAN EDITION FOR ASPIRING MASTERS OF WINE IN VALPOLICELLA FROM MARCH 7 TO 9, 2014      

(Verona, January 9th, 2014). Enrolment has begun for courses for aspiring Masters of Wine, the third Italian edition of which is being held in Valpolicella. Indeed, after Tignanello and Barolo, it will be the turn of the Foresteria Serego Alighieri (Via Stazione Vecchia, 472 – Gargagnago district, Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella) to host the working sessions from March 7th to 9th that act as the introduction to the strict programme of studies for the title of Master of Wine (last year, only 5 candidates out of more than 30 were admitted to the course). 

The international course is the outcome of collaboration between the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW), the London academy (304 selected members in the entire world) that has been responsible for training the most qualified and influential international wine experts for more than sixty years, and the Istituto del Vino Italiano di Qualità Grandi Marchi, which brings together 19 iconic cellars of Italian wine production in the world and, since 2009, the only Italian body to be recognised as a major supporter of the authoritative English organisation.

Restricted to candidates in possession of qualifications in wine making with at least 5 years’ experience in the sector and an excellent knowledge of the English language, the master class takes three working days and covers workshops, tastings, lessons and tutorials under the guidance of three Masters of Wine, Lynne Sherriff, Jane Hunt and Mai Tjemsland.

Organisational management has been assigned to the Veronese company, IEM – International Exhibition Management, the leader in staging promotional events for Italian wine on international markets.

Programme, enrolment and information on the website: www.istitutograndimarchi.it; info@istitutograndimarchi.it 

Istituto del Vino Grandi Marchi: Alois Lageder, Argiolas, Biondi Santi Greppo, Ca’ del Bosco, Michele Chiarlo, Carpenè Malvolti, Donnafugata, Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute, Gaja, Jermann, Lungarotti, Masi, Marchesi Antinori, Mastroberardino, Pio Cesare, Rivera, Tasca D’Almerita, Tenuta San Guido, Umani Ronchi.