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This was the first time that the wine institute sponsored an all-day educational workshop for such a large number of wine professionals. It focused on the current wine market, organic viticulture, and sensory perceptions, all presented through a mixture of lectures, tastings and vineyard excursions to acquaint the professionals with the high-quality wines of Germany’s wine-growing regions.

 

“We are proud to have had such a large number of sommeliers from top restaurants around the world as our guests. They, and the Masters of Wines (MWs), are important opinion leaders who will help pave the way in export markets for the wines of our producers,” explained Steffen Schindler, marketing director of the wine institute.

 

Following the workshop, the MWs and sommeliers had an opportunity to participate in two other annual German wine events: the Wine Ball in Wiesbaden’s illustrious Kurhaus and the Weinbörse trade fair in Mainz – both of which were successfully organized by the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, or the “Prädikat Wine Estates”). On Monday, 27 April, the wine institute’s guests were divided into four groups for various study trips through the German wine-growing regions.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)/London, education manager Peter Csizmadia-Honigh remarked: “The MW participants unanimously confirmed that the “wine weekend” – including visits to wineries and several Rheingau wine estates on friday – enabled them to learn many new things about Germany’s high-quality wines. I hope that the wine institute will be able to offer the Sommelier Spring Class again next year. It is a professional, and thoroughly enjoyable, way to reach young opinion leaders.”