By Andy Young
The Institute of Masters of Wine has named five new Masters of Wine, including Australian Miles Corish MW.
Corish joins just 20 other Australians to have been named MW, and this group of five brings the total number of MWs to 323, based in 24 countries.
Sarah Jane Evans MW, Chairman of the Masters of Wine, said: "On behalf of all Masters of Wine worldwide, I am delighted to welcome these new members to our community. Today is a memorable day for them – each one of us can remember that special moment when we received the news that we had become MWs.
"My congratulations to them on their achievement. They bring a range of experience to enrich the IMW and I wish them every enjoyment of the opportunities that being a Master of Wine brings."
Corish is currently the managing director of Bowland Forest Vintners, a wholesaler and retailer based in Lancashire. A Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) educator, consultant and competition judge, Corish initially moved to England to play professional cricket and does like to return to the Hunter Valley to make wine under his own label.
Corish is joined by four other new MWs, including Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW, a lecturer with the WSET, Jennifer Docherty MW, a buyer for Liberty Wines, Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief at The Drinks Business and Victoria Stephens-Clarkson MW, the head of buying for Atlas Fine Wines in London.
The MW qualification sees candidates complete a theory and a practical examination plus a research paper, over a minimum three-year period.