The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) was founded in 1955 in London (UK) by a group of wine merchants. The "Wine Trade Club", founded in 1908 by the famous wine merchant and wine author André Simon (1877-1970), is regarded as its predecessor. The IMW was founded in co-operation with the London wine merchants' association "The Worshipful Company of Vintners", which had already been founded in the 14th century. The Vintners Company played a key role in supporting the establishment of the Institute as, together with the Wine and Spirit Association, it recognised the need to improve education in the British wine trade.
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