Master of Wine Annette Lacey tastes about 20 wines a day
After 20 years of sipping, Annette Lacey knows her way around a tipple — and has just scored an exclusive title many wine drinkers would be envious of.
Confidential
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There are only 420 people in the world who can call themselves Masters of Wine and Annette Lacey, from hospitality group Solotel, is one of them.
Last month, Lacey was inducted into London’s prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine (MW), which is the pinnacle of wine knowledge and education in the world.
To become inducted, participants must do countless blind tastings, take rigorous exams and submit 10,000-word research papers.
Lacey was the only Australian of 17 inducted at the ceremony and is only the eighth Australian woman to hold the honour.
“I feel proud to be female in a tradition dominated by men,” Lacey said.
“It’s known females have better palettes, but many don’t do the MW because of family and work commitments.”
Roughly only two per cent of people who try get the MW title. For Lacey it took 10 years and she studied while working for Solotel as their head of beverage and raising her two children.
Lacey’s passion for wine came 20 years ago after her first taste of Krug champagne. However, that doesn’t mean premium wines is the only wine she drinks – although she did celebrate her induction with a bottle of Dom Perignon.
As the only Master of Wine working in the hospitality industry, Lacey helps design the wine list at Solotel’s pubs, which includes venues like The Clock at Surry Hills, Double Bay’s The Golden Sheaf and Parramatta’s Albion Hotel.
“Hopefully this title gives our customers confidence that the wine that’s been selected is the very best for that price point,” she said.
“I don’t put anything on the menu that I wouldn’t drink myself.”
In her role at Solotel, Lacey said she could try around 20 wines a day.
“But we don’t pour ourselves massive glasses. We are testing wine so we taste and spit,” she explained.
“And I do give myself alcohol free days.”
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