5 September 2016, LONDON Thirteen new Members have joined the Institute of Masters of Wine. The new Masters of Wine (MWs) live in eight countries Australia, China, France, India, Ireland, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.The new Masters of Wine are Richard Ballantyne (UK); Bree Boskov (Australia); Barbara Boyle (Ireland); Matt Deller (USA); Matthew Forster (UK); Sonal Holland (India); Jeremy Lithgow (UK); Mary Margaret McCamic (USA); Iain Munson (France); Mick OConnell (Ireland); Mark Pygott (Taiwan); Ana-Emilia Sapungiu (UK); Fongyee Walker (China).There are now 354 Masters of Wine in 28 countries.The Masters of Wine Examination consists of three stages, including Theory and Practical Exams, and culminates in the submission of a final Research Paper, an in-depth study on a wine related topic from any area of the sciences, arts, humanities, or social sciences.Richard Ballantyne MWRichard started in the wine business at the tender age of 18, joining his fathers wine business in Wales in 1991. Despite studying electronic engineering, he always knew his career path would lead to wine. In 2011, Richard joined wholesaler Matthew Clark as their Wine Development Specialist for London in the new business team, and a year or so later became regional account manager for Armit Wines where he spent four years working with the great retailers and wholesalers of the UK with a portfolio heavy with the greats producers of Italy.Richard is now UK Accounts Manager for Vinexus, a specialist importer of Italian wines: a country which has become Richards obsession over the years, more precisely the great wines of Piedmont. Apart from being hooked on on Nebbiolo, Richard is greatly interested in wines which show authenticity of style, wherever they may come from, but invariably this leads him back to his home turf of Italy.Research Paper: Barolo - Is there an economic benefit in producing under a Cru Label Designation? If there is, what are the reasons?Bree Boskov MWBree is Australian born with nearly two decades of international experience in wine sales and buying in both Canada and Australia. Her wine career began in Vancouver BC as a Sommelier, and has taken her to Nova Scotia where she worked as a Sommelier and for the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission before returning to Australia. Almost a decade was spent in key account sales and brand management with Australias family owned DeBortoli Wines before becoming Director of Sales and buying with The Spanish Acquisition, a premium Spanish and Portuguese wine specialist. A certified WSET educator since 2008, she lectures across all levels of the WSET certification, including Diploma. She has travelled extensively through wine regions in Europe, the US, South Africa and Australia with vintage positions in Australia, Austria, Portugal and Oregon, which have informed her writing for various wine publications. She currently consults to, and holds the North American market manager position with Equilibrio Wines, a boutique Australian, Portuguese and South African portfolio.Research Paper: Prospects for Australian luxury wine growth among importers in key US markets.Barbara Boyle MWBarbara lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. She is a director and wine buyer for the wholesale company WineMason, which she