Many congratulations to these four new MWs announced today. The titles of the research papers sound hugely intriguing. So what future does Syrah have in Hermitage...?!
Mark Andrew MW is based in Bloomsbury, Central London, where he is co-founder of Noble Rot magazine and the wine bar/restaurant of the same name. The magazine was launched in early 2013 as an alternative to traditional wine media, and is now distributed in over 20 countries around the world. The wine bar/restaurant followed in 2015 and won 'Best Wine List' at the National Restaurant Awards and Harden's Awards within a year of opening. Before launching Noble Rot, Mark was head buyer at London-based retailer and importer Roberson for eight years, where he developed deep affection for the traditional, artisanal, terroir-driven wines of the world. Before that, there was a vintage in Burgundy and three years of running the wine programme for a group of London restaurants to whet his appetite for working in the wine industry.
Research Paper: How can dry Assyrtiko from Santorini establish itself as a recognised 'fine wine' in the eyes of London's premium on-trade?
Jeremy Cukierman MW was born and raised in Paris. After a short experience in advertising agencies, a passion for wine quickly prevailed. Co-founder and co-CEO of Des Mets des Vins, Jeremy runs two wine shops in Paris, a wine event agency and a wine school. Through his wine business he is working with more than 200 top producers. He also consults for private customers and wine companies, lectures across all levels of WSET certification and trains future wine professionals in customised courses. He writes for the French magazine Vigneron and for his own blog. ( He is married with two children and particularly loves Northern Rhône, Burgundy, Riesling, Italian and fortified wines.
Research Paper: The prospects for Syrah in the vineyards of Hermitage: A climate assessment in the Northern Rhône AOP
Emma Dawson MW (pictured) entered the wine world after a first career in film and media, learning about wine started as a hobby. But this changed after she took a chance move into the retail world and started working in Sainsbury’s supermarket. While completing her WSET diploma she joined their wine department. She was awarded two scholarships from WSET during these studies; the Champagne Academy scholarship and Worshipful Company of Distiller’s scholarship. She also started to run a new type of wine tasting called the Naked Grape for charity. From then, Marks & Spencer asked her to join their team as a buyer and she was offered the WSET Derouet Jameson scholarship to study on the Master of Wine study programme. In the seven years since she joined Marks & Spencer she has worked in several buying areas across wine and spirits. Among her specialism is a focus on lesser-known wine regions, bringing new wines to their range from Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Georgia, Turkey, Bolivia, Japan, India and Brazil. She also buys Burgundy, Bordeaux, Italy, South America and fine wine for the company.
Research Paper: How did Lebanese wine emerge as a territorial wine brand in the 25 years that followed the civil war ending in 1990? Mistakes made and lessons learnt
David Forer MW is a San Francisco resident. His intense passion for wine was propelled by that city's close proximity to California’s best wine regions and by his involvement with the local community of wine and food professionals. Catalysed by passing the WSET Diploma with Merit in 2011, David became increasingly active in the wine industry through projects like consulting for on-premise wine programmes and creating exclusive tours of Napa. He helps everyday consumers enhance their enjoyment of wine by providing guidance on grocery store wines as founder of DaveTheNeighbor.com. More recently, influenced by the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley, he focuses on unique ways to connect people and wine by utilising technology. David is also working on a book about cult wines of the world all while maintaining a full-time career in the pharmaceutical research industry.
Research Paper: An analysis of the impact of declining farm-labour immigration on vineyard operations in Sonoma and Napa counties over the last decade