The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has recently announced the induction of four new members into its membership. These newly appointed Masters of Wine (MWs) have successfully completed and surpassed all the rigorous stages of the Master of Wine examination.
Jit Hang Jackie Ang MW (Singapore), Amanda Barnes MW (Argentina), Sarah Benson MW (UK), and Kathleen Van den Berghe MW (Belgium) have now earned the prestigious ‘Master of Wine’ title and are the first cohort of the 2025 vintage of Masters of Wine.
There are now 425 active Masters of Wine based in 30 countries, spanning a wide range of areas in the wine industry and each making their own contribution to it. The Master of Wine credential is the most coveted in the wine industry and comes after proving one’s understanding of all aspects of wine by passing most rigorous examination in the wine world.
The MW exam consists of three parts: the theory and practical exams taken at the end of stage two and the research paper (RP) submitted at the end of stage three. The RP is an in-depth study on a wine related topic from any area of the sciences, arts, humanities or social sciences. Completion of the exam seeks to represent an all-encompassing knowledge of the industry, and only when an individual passes the RP do they become a Master of Wine.
All members must sign the IMW’s code of conduct before they have the right to use the title Master of Wine or the initials MW. By signing the code of conduct, MWs agree to act with honesty and integrity and to use every opportunity to share their understanding of wine with others, echoing the IMW’s mission to foster excellence, interaction and learning.
IMW Chair, Roderick Smith MW, states: “It is with the greatest pleasure and pride that I welcome into our membership these four new Masters of Wine. This is a herculean achievement and marks the most significant milestone on anyone’s career in wine. Our congratulations to all of them on their amazing success.”
IMW Executive Director, Julian Gore-Booth, further added: “We are delighted to welcome these four exceptional individuals to the IMW. Earning the MW title is a remarkable achievement, reflecting an unparalleled depth of knowledge, dedication and passion for wine. We look forward to their contributions to the Institute and to the global wine community as Masters of Wine.”
MEET THE NEW MASTERS OF WINE
Jit Hang Jackie Ang MW (Singapore)
Jackie Ang is a trained pharmaceutical scientist and a wine educator. He is born and based in Singapore and holds a DPhil in Medical Sciences from the University of Oxford and a MA in Pharmacology from the University of Cambridge. Jackie is currently the Director of Cherwell Wine and Spirits, a WSET APP based in Singapore and also heads the High Throughput Screening group at the Experimental Drug Development Centre, a national platform for drug discovery in Singapore. He has over 10 years of experience in holding wine events, masterclasses, teaching and wine judging. Jackie is most passionate and interested in uplifting standards in wine knowledge and service in Asia and acting as a bridge between producers and consumers from different cultures and backgrounds.
Research paper: Are Universal Glasses Truly Universal? — An investigation on whether glassware shape affects perceptions of red and white table wines made from international varieties.
Amanda Barnes MW (Argentina)
Amanda is an award-winning wine writer, presenter and consultant. Although born and raised in Hampshire, England, she has been based in South America since 2009 exploring and communicating about the people, wines and regions both on and off the beaten path.
She is considered a leading authority on the wines of the region and is author of The South America Wine Guide: The Definitive Guide to Wine in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia & Peru. Amanda is also key contributor for major UK and US wine publications and books and Regional Chair for Chile in the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Research paper: The future of South American Criolla — poised for revival, or demise to the point of no return?
Sarah Benson MW (UK – England)
With a background in languages, Sarah transitioned from a career in translation to the wine industry after completing several WSET courses. She began at Accolade and has since built extensive experience in wine buying and marketing across independent and large retail, as well as UK bottling. Her passion has led her to work vintages in multiple countries. Currently, Sarah buys wine for the Co-op, sourcing and blending wines from France, Spain, South America and Greece. She has conducted consumer profiling research with Lallemand and is committed to consumer engagement. A strong advocate for sustainability, she drives the Co-op’s ethical agenda and has supported wineries in obtaining Fair Trade certification. Sarah also judges on prestigious wine panels, mentors future industry professionals and travels extensively to deepen her expertise.
Research paper: An Analysis of the Cultural Perception and Interpretation of Wine Through the Work of Four Baroque Artists
Kathleen Van den Berghe MW (Belgium)
Born into a family of wine enthusiasts, Kathleen grew up with wine tastings and winery visits. After five years as a construction engineer and nine years at McKinsey & Company, she became a wine entrepreneur in 2010. She acquired and revitalized two Loire Valley estates: Château de Minière in Bourgueil (2010) and Château de Suronde in Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru (2016), producing high-quality organic and biodynamic wines. She has also developed wine tourism, an artist residence, and a contemporary art collection.
With studies in viticulture, winemaking, WSET and Master of Wine, she blends wine, engineering and entrepreneurship. Fluent in multiple languages, she lives in Belgium with her husband, children, and extensive library. She is particularly proud of her red sparkling Cabernet Franc.
Research paper: A comparative analysis of different techniques to reduce haloanisoles in contaminated wine.
