"This will be a great chance to meet seven Masters of Wine and learn about the benefits that come with the title," says Maling. "The study programme is a demanding and rewarding journey, but the institute is principally a membership organisation, not an examining body.
"We will be talking not just about the career benefits and opportunities for self-development that membership of the institute brings, but also about the sheer fun and enjoyment of being part of a global network of like-minded people. We're looking forward to meeting delegates in Auckland and sharing our stories."
The Institute of Masters of Wine has 313 members in 26 countries, and 300-plus students in 36 countries. The institute promotes professional excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community.
To join, candidates follow a self-study programme for a minimum of three years before completing all three parts of the examination: theory, practical and research papers.
New Zealand has nine Masters of Wine and Australia has 16.
Penny Richards, institute executive director, says: "We are delighted to present a master class in Auckland.
"This is a brilliant opportunity for us to meet New Zealand wine professionals, and for them to learn about the MW study programme and what it means to be a Master of Wine."
So, if you're interested in taking your wine skills to the next level, then the world's top wine qualification is a good place to start.
Here are the details: the Institute of Masters of Wine, Master Class in New Zealand
Monday, August 18, 9am-5pm, Villa Maria Winery, 118 Montgomery Rd, Mangere, Auckland.
Book your place online at www.amiando.com/ MWmasterclassNew Zealand2014. It costs $150 a person, which includes lunch plus morning and afternoon tea.
I'm also excited to announce that Alastair, Jane, Steve, Michael and Emma all feature in a new segment on my wine series, Thirsty Work, called Meet the Masters. Series 3 premieres on Wednesday, July 16, 9.30pm on FoodTV (SKYCh.9)
And while we're thinking about what it might be like to be a Master of Wine, let's look at new wines at the "luxury" end of the spectrum.
Chard Farm 'The Viper' Parkburn Pinot Noir 2012 $78 Bottled in late September last year, this gorgeous pinot is named after the vipers bugloss wildflower, which carpets the ground in their Parkburn vineyard on the western side of Lake Dunstan. I love the subtle florals, dried herb and spice notes on the nose, which lead to a lovely line of wild berry and cherry. This wine has a tight, perfectly poised core of fruit on the palate, cloaked in a layer of freshly turned earth and soft baking spices. The oak is sweet and dusty and the tannins are velvety-smooth with just the right amount of "chew". Beautiful stuff indeed. www.chardfarm.co.nz
Easthope Family Winegrowers Te Muna Rd Pinot Noir 2013 $65 1/2 This is a stonking pinot packed with all sorts of crazy, wild and exotic characters like sandalwood, tea and five-spice. However, there is also something on the nose that reminds me of the way ancient, fallen logs in the native bush smell: damp earth and moss.
The palate is succulent and juicy, with lovely cranberry and cherry characters.
The tannins have a bit of pucker and grip, the oak is robust and there's an interesting blackboy peach-skin texture on the finish.
It's just a baby in the bottle right now, but a few years in the cellar will make for excellence, I'm sure.
Released July 1 and available from www.easthope.co.nz.
