MMI’s Beans Boughton becomes UAE’s first resident Master of Wine

Beans Boughton, the MMI Fine Wine Category Manager, has become the UAE’s first resident Master of Wine (MW).

He is now one of 409 MWs worldwide, and among only a handful in the Middle East and Africa.

The Institute of the Master of Wine is one of the world’s leading wine institutes founded in London in 1953, and has a strict qualifying exam for those who wish to be certified as a MW.

To secure his certification, Boughton passed multiple blind tastings and theory papers, and also submitted a research paper on “Examining the impact of market visits by winery principals on brand performance in the premium on-trade channel in Dubai”.

Qualifying as a MW allows an individual to work across disciplines in the wine industry, from winemakers, oenologists and viticulturists to shippers, retailers and even writers.

Boughton’s employer, MMI, is one of the region’s leading fine wine distributors and retailers through the award-winning Le Clos.

As part of his role, he is responsible for the fine wine category management across the Dubai On-Trade, Le Clos, MMI Retail, airline and travel retail and MMI’s international markets.

He manages the ranges and winery relationships for Burgundy, Rhône, Loire, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History, his professional career with wine started at Oddbins retail.

Following a stint in the world of banking, Boughton joined the team at Planet of the Grapes, completing the WSET Diploma in 2011 and transitioning from van driver to running a fine wine shop, bar and restaurant in the city.

MMI stated that Boughton’s recent MW qualification now allows trade and private customers to benefit from advice and recommendations from the wine expert.

In related news, a new smart application process has been launched to get a liquor licence in Dubai, distribution companies African and Eastern and MMI revealed this month.

Read: Smart alcohol licence launched in Dubai

Non-Muslim residents, above the legal age (over 21 years of age), will be able to apply for and renew their alcohol licence by simply taking their Emirates ID to any MMI and A+E outlet.

Abu Dhabi meanwhile has also recently scrapped the requirement for residents and tourists to have a licence to buy and drink alcohol.

Read: Abu Dhabi scraps need for individual alcohol licence