Edward Ragg MW wins Noval Award

Newly inaugurated Master of Wine Edward Ragg is this year’s recipient of the Quinta do Noval Award for his research paper on the evolving Chinese import market.

Ragg received his award at the recent inauguration of 14 new Masters of Wine at the graduation dinner at Vintner’s Hall in London.

Based in mainland China and co-founder of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting with his wife, Fongyee Walker MW, Ragg’s research paper: ‘Portfolio Management Strategies of Major Chinese Importers’ won him £1,000, a print of the historic Douro property and a trip there where he will be presented with a case of wines including a bottle of Nacional.

Christian Seely, managing director of AXA Millèsimes, said: ‘This provides a very detailed and thorough analysis of China’s notoriously opaque wine market, through the evolution of the portfolios of the main wine importers during the period 2008-2018. The method was extraordinarily thorough, and the conclusions drawn clear and insightful, demonstrating exceptional analytical skills.

“Having lived through the period in question as a wine exporter to China, I was extremely impressed by the writer’s ability to shed light on the evolution of this complex market. I found the paper fascinating, authoritative and extremely useful. Bravo!”

Ragg added: “I am delighted to have won this year’s Quinta do Noval Award’ he says. ‘I have been familiar with Quinta do Noval and its historical significance within the Port trade for many years, especially having first tasted a vintage of Nacional as a student in the UK in the 1990s.

“Based in China, I’ve watched with interest the development of premium Port in various international markets. As my MW research paper was concerned with the Chinese import sector, I sincerely hope that Noval and other premium Port producers will lead the way in China and the rest of Asia as new lovers of Port emerge.”