Wine: Istituto Grandi Marchi leads top-notch wine education, with the introductory Masters of Wine course at Tenuta Rivera.

Cantine Rivera, one of the 18 historic wineries of the IGM group, hosted the aspirants for the MW title from Thursday, March 26th to Sunday, March 29th, for a long weekend in the heart of the Alta Murgia region, dedicated to excellence in winemaking. The initiative has established itself as a benchmark for wine professionals and, on this occasion, attracted 20 participants from not only Italy but also Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The intensive program alternated theoretical and practical sessions, lectures and exams, writing sessions, and technical tastings of major Italian and international labels, offering a complete immersion in the rigorous approach and teaching philosophy of the Master of Wine program. Participants were guided by three leading figures in the world of fine wines: Demetri Walters, Master of Wine (MW), Harriet Tindal, Master of Wine (MW), and Cristina Mercuri, the first female Italian Master of Wine, appointed on February 19th.

"This valuable collaboration continues with renewed enthusiasm, driven by a strong desire to bring professionals and students together to undertake the MW training program, which boasts exceptional results for the global wine scene ," emphasizes Piero Mastroberdino, President of Istituto Grandi Marchi. " Welcoming participants from around the world means promoting synergies between the various interpreters of wine and consolidating Italy's role not only as a producer of excellence but also as a global hub for education, innovation, and wine storytelling."

"We are extremely pleased and honored to have hosted the Institute of Masters of Wine in Rivera, for the first time in Puglia, " says Sebastiano Decorato, owner of Rivera , " with the introductory course for their exam, thanks to our partnership with the Istituto Grandi Marchi, of which we are a member. This historic and prestigious institution interprets the world of wine with a comprehensive, rigorous, and international perspective. This event represents an important recognition for us and an opportunity for growth and discussion, capable of strengthening the bond between our region and the highest expressions of global wine culture."

The masterclasses for aspiring MWs are a project strongly supported by Istituto Grandi Marchi since 2012, which over the years has contributed to the development of tomorrow's wine professionals. It is precisely thanks to this commitment that Italy can now count on four MWs: Gabriele Gorelli, who was the first to receive the prestigious award, followed over the years by Andrea Lonardi, Pietro Russo, and recently Cristina Mercuri, all of whom began their journey by participating in introductory courses organized by IGM. This result clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of a project that since 2010, the year IGM became a sponsor of IMW, has helped develop the next generation of Italian talent capable of representing wine worldwide with expertise, vision, and authority.