The first Masters of Wine for 2025 have been named

Four new members of the drinks trade have become Masters of Wine, including db's Argentina-based South American wine correspondent Amanda Barnes, along with three others from Singapore, Belgium and the UK. Announced on Friday, the first crop of MWs for 2025 are Jit Hang Jackie Ang (Singapore), Amanda Barnes (Argentina), Sarah Benson (UK), and Kathleen Van den Berghe (Belgium). Having successfully passed all stages of the MW exam, they take the total number of MWs to 425, based in 30 countries. The MW exam consists of three parts: the theory and practical exams taken at the end of stage two and the research paper (RP) submitted at the end of stage three. Please read on to find out more about the new MWs, including the titles of their RPs.

Jit Hang Jackie Ang MW (Singapore)

Jackie Ang is a trained pharmaceutical scientist and a wine educator. He is born and based in Singapore and holds a DPhil in Medical Sciences from the University of Oxford and a MA in Pharmacology from the University of Cambridge. Jackie is currently the Director of Cherwell Wine and Spirits, a WSET APP based in Singapore and also heads the High Throughput Screening group at the Experimental Drug Development Centre, a national platform for drug discovery in Singapore. He has over 10 years of experience in holding wine events, masterclasses, teaching and wine judging. Jackie is most passionate and interested in uplifting standards in wine knowledge and service in Asia and acting as a bridge between producers and consumers from different cultures and backgrounds. Research paper: Are Universal Glasses Truly Universal? — An investigation on whether glassware shape affects perceptions of red and white table wines made from international varieties.

Amanda Barnes MW (Argentina)

Amanda is an award-winning wine writer, presenter and consultant. Although born and raised in Hampshire, England, she has been based in South America since 2009 exploring and communicating about the people, wines and regions both on and off the beaten path. She is considered a leading authority on the wines of the region and is author of The South America Wine Guide: The Definitive Guide to Wine in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia & Peru. Amanda is also key contributor for major UK and US wine publications and books and Regional Chair for Chile in the Decanter World Wine Awards. Research paper: The future of South American Criolla — poised for revival, or demise to the point of no return? 

Sarah Benson MW (UK - England)

With a background in languages, Sarah transitioned from a career in translation to the wine industry after completing several WSET courses. She began at Accolade and has since built extensive experience in wine buying and marketing across independent and large retail, as well as UK bottling. Her passion has led her to work vintages in multiple countries. Currently, Sarah buys wine for the Co-op, sourcing and blending wines from France, Spain, South America and Greece. She has conducted consumer profiling research with Lallemand and is committed to consumer engagement. A strong advocate for sustainability, she drives the Co-op’s ethical agenda and has supported wineries in obtaining Fair Trade certification. Sarah also judges on prestigious wine panels, mentors future industry professionals and travels extensively to deepen her expertise. Research paper: An Analysis of the Cultural Perception and Interpretation of Wine Through the Work of Four Baroque Artists

Kathleen Van den Berghe MW (Belgium)

Born into a family of wine enthusiasts, Kathleen grew up with wine tastings and winery visits. After five years as a construction engineer and nine years at McKinsey & Company, she became a wine entrepreneur in 2010. She acquired and revitalized two Loire Valley estates: Château de Minière in Bourgueil (2010) and Château de Suronde in Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru (2016), producing high-quality organic and biodynamic wines. She has also developed wine tourism, an artist residence, and a contemporary art collection. With studies in viticulture, winemaking, WSET and Master of Wine, she blends wine, engineering and entrepreneurship. Fluent in multiple languages, she lives in Belgium with her husband, children, and extensive library. She is particularly proud of her red sparkling Cabernet Franc. Research paper: A comparative analysis of different techniques to reduce haloanisoles in contaminated wine.