A Taste of the Future: India’s Master of Wine Sonal Holland joins a leading line-up of global speakers to present at the upcoming 10th International Symposium

The 10th International Symposium by the Institute of Masters of Wine’s (IMW) is set to be held at Wiesbaden, Germany between Thursday, 29 June 2023 to Sunday, 2nd July 2023 this 2023. Held at an interval of 4 years, this edition will have India’s only Master of Wine Sonal Holland part of the panel discussion on ‘Wine Against the Odd’ that will take place on day 1 of the event. 

Moderated by Germany-based fellow Master of Wine Caro Maurer, the ’Wine Against the Odds’ panel discussion is the panel opener at the symposium covering the future of wine and the significant challenges it faces globally from political, cultural and social point of view. This panel will focus on some of the world’s complex issues and their impact on the wine business. It will delve into critical global issues like the war in Ukraine, the restrictive policies and religious contradictions in Turkey, pandemic-related losses, renewed civil rights and “buy Black'' movements in the US and the lack of wine culture in India, despite being one of the most populous countries on earth. Other panelists alongside Sonal Holland MW for this conversation include Dr. Monique Bell, Sibel Kutman Oral and Svitlana Tsybak share their thoughts on the subject. 

 “It's an exciting opportunity to be an active part of this year’s symposium where I get to be a part of a conversation that excites us all - the future! Kick-starting the symposium with a hard-hitting topic like India’s said lack of wine culture within the context of global challenges for the future of wine, represents an immense opportunity to change perceptions about the Indian wine market. I look forward to presenting my case for why India is a hot-bed of opportunity for global wine brands that are seeking a new and contemporary set of consumers within a rapidly evolving culture, making it a compelling market that one simply cannot afford to ignore.” 

Sonal

As the IMW’s flagship event, the symposium programme seeks to take a critical look at the world of wine and its future through a host of world-class tastings, thought-provoking presentations and controversial debate.  With over 450 wine professionals and enthusiasts expected in attendance, the speakers for the symposium also includes Jean-Charles Boisset - French Vintner & proprietor of the Boisset Collection who will be delivering the opening keynote; Prof. Melané Vivier a panelist speaker on the ‘Next Frontiers in wine research and beyond’; Abby Rose a farmer and soil health advocate who is also the co-founder of Vidacycle will be speaking on the panel for ‘Farming for the Future’ among many other known global personalities focusing on trends currently defining the industry and how the industry will evolve in the future.

The IMW’s international symposium is regarded as the marquee event in the global wine calendar, launching in Oxford in 1982 and last hosted in Logroño, Spain in 2018. After the extensive tastings, presentations and debates, wine culinary dinners are on the programme for the experts, many of which are sponsored by members of the IMW’s international supporter community. The final gala evening is organised by Wines of Germany together with the 13 wine regions of Biebrich Castle (Schloss Biebrich) generously provided by the Hessen State Government.

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