The Institute of Masters of Wine is holding auctions of fine wines and some very varied promises donated by MWs and others in and around the wine and spirit business in London and New York on Oct 30 and Nov 1 respectively. Lots vary from tutored tastings, salmon fishing in Scotland to a magnum of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1998 signed by all 10 of the surviving members of the 1966 World Cup-winning football team, two halves of Yquem 1928 and a bottle of Quinta do Noval Nacional 1963.
The inspiration for this is that two years ago the Institute was given seed funding of £200,000 ($375,000) to establish an Endowment Fund designed to make the Master of Wine qualification available and accessible throughout the wine world. on the condition that the Institute itself raised matching funds. This noble aim has been discussed recently on the members' forum.
Once established, the Endowment Fund will be used to further and expand the education work of the Institute by, for example,
– funding scholarships and bursaries to enable talented students of limited means to join the Institute's education programme
– funding tastings and seminars of educational importance to Masters of Wine, MW students and other wine professionals that would not otherwise be affordable
– establishing additional MW education programmes in areas of the world where they are not currently available.
– funding scholarships and bursaries to enable talented students of limited means to join the Institute's education programme
– funding tastings and seminars of educational importance to Masters of Wine, MW students and other wine professionals that would not otherwise be affordable
– establishing additional MW education programmes in areas of the world where they are not currently available.
The largest single fundraising effort by the Institute are these auctions taking place at Christie's in London and New York and online through Langton's of Sydney during November 2006 apparently. “Rare wines from the cellars of MWs and leading producers, visits to wine regions accompanied by Masters of Wine, lots offering bidders the chance to meet, taste and dine at top flight domaines, are all on offer in this unique series of auctions”, promises the Institute.
London
October 30, 2006 at 6.30pm
8 King Street, St James's, London SW1
Champagne Reception 6pm
8 King Street, St James's, London SW1
Champagne Reception 6pm
New York
November 1, 2006 at 6pm
Christie's Rockefeller Center
20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Champagne Reception 5.30pm
November 1, 2006 at 6pm
Christie's Rockefeller Center
20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Champagne Reception 5.30pm
To download a catalogue for the London sale, click here
To download a catalogue for the New York sale, click here