Cristina Mercuri is the first Italian Woman Master of Wine (MW). Mercuri and three others were announced this week by the Institute of Masters of Wine.
Karen Hong Liu MW (Hong Kong), Kim Oshiro MW (US) and Bryce Wiatrak MW (US) join Mercuir as the latest to earn the Master of Wine title. They are the first of the 2026 vintage of Masters of Wine.
"Every new Master of Wine brings fresh perspectives and energy to our community," says Institute chair, Roderick Smith MW. "I congratulate this year’s cohort on their remarkable achievement and look forward to the contributions they will make, not just to our membership, but to the advancement of the wine world."
Wine editor at Forbes Italia and international judge for Decanter, Cristina Mercuri, MW, is the first woman based in Italy to become a Master of Wine. A former lawyer in international law firms, she transitioned to the wine sector in 2015, earning the WSET Diploma in 2018. As founder and CEO of Mercuri Wine Club, she works with Italian and international producers on education, brand development and market strategy. As brand ambassador for Mack & Schühle Italia, she represents the company’s Italian portfolio. She teaches across multiple levels, including WSET Diploma, and delivers corporate training programmes. She is certified as a Sherry educator, Cava educator and Port educator and is an Italian VDP Ambassador, part of a network designed to promote and educate about top-tier German wines.
Her research paper was titled Wine, Women and Fascism: A visual analysis of the representation of women in propaganda in Enotria (1922-1942).
There are now 422 active Masters of Wine across 30 countries, working at the highest levels of the global wine industry. The Master of Wine title is the wine world’s most coveted credential, awarded only to those who demonstrate an exceptional understanding of every aspect of wine.
The MW examination encompasses three parts. At the end of stage two, students sit a closed-book exam consisting of three 12-wine blind tasting papers and five theory papers covering the full spectrum of wine. The theory papers require detailed knowledge and analysis on the topics of viticulture, vinification and pre-bottling procedures, the handling of wine, the business of wine and contemporary issues. In stage three, they submit a Research Paper (RP): an in-depth, original study on a wine-related topic drawn from the sciences, arts, humanities or social sciences. Only upon successful completion of all three components do they earn the title of Master of Wine.
Karen Hong Liu MW (Hong Kong)
As general manager of Pinnacle APEX Ltd., a Hong Kong–based fine wine importing and distribution company, Karen Hong Liu, MW, oversees fine wine and premium spirits sourcing, portfolio development and route-to-market strategy, supporting trade partners and private clients across Hong Kong and wider Asia. Prior to relocating to Hong Kong, Karen spent more than a decade in the UK as a fine wine consultant, advising collectors on acquisition strategy, cellar management and portfolio development. She began her career in IT strategy and business transformation, holding senior roles within a FTSE 100 multinational. Her work centres on developing structured, sustainable fine wine businesses and facilitating market access between producers and Asian buyers.
Research paper: An investigation into consumer motivations, trust, and behaviour in China’s wine live-streaming market.
Kim Oshiro MW (US)
Kim Oshiro, MW, has built a career spanning multiple sectors of the wine industry. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she began as a sommelier before becoming beverage director for a multi-state restaurant group, where she led beverage programme development and staff training. Her experience includes vineyard, cellar and winery laboratory work, as well as roles in distribution, direct-to-consumer sales, and both on- and off-premise channels. She is Founder of Bottle Thief™, a precision argon wine preservation system now used in more than 30 countries. In addition to her industry work, she is developing a wine-focused travel and education company centred on immersive regional study programmes.
Research paper: Mitigating Methoxypyrazines in Dry Red Wines: Strategies for reducing capsicum aromas with silicone and molecularly imprinted polymers.
Bryce Wiatrak MW (US)
A Chicago-based wine professional, journalist and critic, Bryce Wiatrak, MW, has his work published in major US publications including Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Wall Street Journal. He is the author of Dessert Wine: An Encyclopedic Guide to Sweet and Fortified Wines, forthcoming from the University of California Press, and Tokaji and the Wines of Hungary for the Académie du Vin Library. In 2021, he founded Vinalia, a venture-backed private label and import company. He holds degrees from Yale University, Chicago Booth and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Research paper: Libiamo: The role of wine and the drinking song in four operas by Giuseppe Verdi.
Top photo courtesy of @cristinamercuri_wine