Bollinger recognises top MW taster

Anne McHale MW has been awarded the Bollinger Medal for excellence in tasting and outstanding achievement in the Institute of Masters of Wine practical examination.

Anne McHale MW receives her award from Etienne Bizot

McHale, who was awarded her MW qualification earlier this year, has worked for UK merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd since 2006 and is currently its wine education specialist.

The award was presented last night by Etienne Bizot, chairman of The Madame Bollinger Foundation, during the annual Institute of Masters of Wine awards ceremony at Vintners’ Hall in London.

Highlighting the importance of recognising this level and type of achievement, Bizot said: “It always gives me great pleasure to present this award for excellence in tasting which my father Christian Bizot founded to honour the memory of his aunt Madame Lily Bollinger.

“Anne received outstanding results in her practical examinations and her hard work is being duly rewarded. The wine industry needs and deserves leading experts like Masters of Wine, and we are proud to support their progress.”

Inaugurated in 1988, when it was won by Australian Michael Hill Smith MW, the Bollinger Medal has since been awarded 25 times across eight different nationalities.

Last year’s winner was Andreas Wickhoff MW from Austria with other previous recipients including Isabelle Legeron MW, Essi Avellan MW, Gerard Basset MW and Alun Griffiths MW.