Cape Wine Masters welcomes four new graduates

The Institute of Cape Wine Masters' four new graduates takes the total number of achievers of this elite qualification to 120

- Glenneis Kriel

Four new graduates have joined the prestigious ranks of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters (CWM), taking the total number of achievers of this elite self-study qualification, launched in 1983, to just 120. Among them, Jacques Lombard made history as the institute's first-ever blind graduate.

BLIND AMBITION

According to a statement, Lombard lost his sight in 1996 at the age of 26, but found his way into the wine industry through a tasting group for visually impaired wine enthusiasts, founded by Hermann Kirschbaum, winemaker at Buitenverwachting, Constantia.

In 2016, he launched Winebrands and went on to excel in formal studies at the Cape Wine Academy, graduating with distinction.

For his CWM dissertation, Lombard explored biogenic amines: naturally occurring contaminants in fermented foods that in high concentrations can cause symptoms similar to wine intolerance, including headaches, flushing, rashes and digestive discomfort.

His study advocates practical winemaking measures, such as the use of selected microbial strains and the optimisation of fermentation conditions, to minimise biogenic amine production and deliver safer, higher-quality wines.