It’s not just an MW, it’s a Marks & Spencer MW

A senior wine buyer at Marks & Spencer responsible for buying English wine, has been awarded the highly renowned title of ‘Master of Wine’ after success at the Institute of Masters of Wine examination.
Andy Howard, senior wine buyer for M&S, was awarded the title of Master of Wine after an exam. His dissertation, entitled “Attitudes to premier cru Chablis among wine professionals in the UK wine market, with particular reference to style, positioning in the UK market and future prospects” was the product of three years hard work.
Howard is now part of the exclusive community of 289 Masters of Wine from throughout the world and the second MW on the M&S wine team, Jo Ahearne, who passed her MW exam in 2008. Two other members of the M&S wine team are in the process of earning the title.
As well as England, Howard is responsible for buying wine from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Italy, South America, North America, South Africa, Portugal, Port and Sherry and has worked for M&S for thirty years, the last four in the wine category.
He says: “It is amazing to have achieved the distinction of being a Master of Wine – it has kept me very busy but it was definitely worth it. However, completing my MW doesn’t mean that my education is over – I intend to increase my knowledge of wine and ensure M&S customers continue to have an exciting and varied list of wines to choose from.”