After seven years of rigorous study, Dr. Jackie Ang has attained the coveted title of Master of Wine (MW), becoming the third Singaporean to achieve this distinction. He joins compatriots Tan Ying Hsien MW, based in Singapore, and Tze Sam MW, based in the UK, in holding one of the wine industry’s highest honors.
With Ang’s achievement, Singapore now boasts five resident MWs—Ying Hsien Tan, Richard Hemming, Annette Scarfe, Benjamin Hasko, and now Ang. This gives the city-state the highest concentration of MWs per square kilometer, with one MW for every 147 square kilometers.
The Journey of a Supertaster
Educated at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, Ang first developed his wine expertise at the Oxford Blind Tasting Society, an incubator for renowned wine figures such as Oz Clarke and Jasper Morris. In 2017, he was recognized as Oxford’s top individual taster and was labeled a ‘supertaster’ in an article by The Economist.
“I was part of the Oxford Wine Tasting Society for four years,” Ang recalls. “It was a highly international group engaged in competitive blind tasting—yes, that’s a real sport.” His training focused on affordable wines, providing him with a solid foundation in classic styles. Each year, their primary goal was to outscore Cambridge, a task he pursued despite having earned his first master’s degree in pharmacology from Cambridge before completing a PhD in medical science at Oxford.
Despite his wine accomplishments, Ang continues his full-time career as a pharmaceutical scientist, heading the High Throughput Drug Screening platform at Singapore’s Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC). When not at work, he runs Cherwill Wine and Spirits, a wine education school where he teaches WSET Levels 2 and 3. His life revolves around science, family, and, of course, wine.
A Scientist’s Perspective on Wine
Ang’s passion for wine extends beyond taste—it is deeply rooted in culture, geography, and science. “In secondary school, my best subject wasn’t science—it was geography,” he shares over a glass of Rainer Wess Loibenberg 2015 Riesling from Austria. He represented Singapore in both the International Geography Olympiad and the Chemistry Olympiad, unknowingly laying the foundation for his future in wine education.
Following his PhD, Ang embarked on the Master of Wine program, viewing wine as an essential cultural element intertwined with history, heritage, and scientific principles. His journey was marked by challenges, including personal setbacks and the global pandemic, but his analytical approach helped him overcome them. This year, his persistence paid off, culminating in his MW certification.
Advocating for Asian Wine Appreciation
As an MW, Ang hopes to broaden the appreciation of lesser-known wines in Asia. “I don’t necessarily want to encourage more drinking, but I do want to inspire exploration,” he says. He highlights Riesling as a prime example, a wine he believes is underappreciated in the region. Holding up his glass, he asks, “Why aren’t we drinking more Rieslings? A dry Riesling pairs well with Japanese cuisine, while sweeter versions complement the bold flavors of local dishes like Nyonya food.”
The Evolution of Singapore’s Wine Culture
Ang acknowledges that Singapore’s wine culture is still developing. “Singapore is 75% Chinese, and wine is not an inherent part of Chinese culture,” he explains. “Unlike in Europe, wine is not something Singaporeans buy daily—it remains a foreign product to many.”
Despite this, Ang is optimistic about the region’s growing interest in wine. He cites a steady market expansion of 4% to 5% annually in Singapore and sees Southeast Asia as a burgeoning hub for wine appreciation. To accelerate this growth, he emphasizes the need for a compelling wine communicator. “Mainstream media can play a significant role. A well-told story—like Drops of God or a K-pop star-led series—could help drive interest and awareness,” he suggests.
With his scientific expertise and deep passion for wine, Dr. Jackie Ang is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of wine education and appreciation in Singapore and beyond.
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