Wine wizards reflect a growing appreciation of the grape in Asia

When you meet someone who bears the title "Master of Wine", your first reaction might be: Sounds like a fun, party person.

Fun they may be, but the Institute of Masters of Wine is a professional body of experts who have passed an exhaustive examination of all-around wine knowledge and tasting ability. In the past two years, their number in Asia has doubled - five of the eight Asia residents in the institute have achieved their status in 2015 or 2016. That comes as awareness and appreciation of grape wines in the region as grown.

"Having lived in Asia for over 20 years, I have been thrilled to see the thirst for wine knowledge," says Hong Kong-based Debra Meiburg, who earned the right to put the letters "MW" after her name in 2008. "This has fueled an increase in MW students and subsequently MWs."