Profile of Wine Judge: Edward Ragg MW
Edward Ragg MW, a distinguished figure in the world of wine, has added another accolade to his impressive resume by joining the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) judging panel. Ragg, a British scholar and poet, brings a unique blend of academia and practical experience to the event.
Ragg's journey into the world of wine began during his studies at Oxford University, where he delved into the works of American poet and Burgundy tippler Wallace Stevens (1879-1955) as part of his M.Phil. and Ph.D. dissertation. This scholarly pursuit led him to develop a keen palate for wine, and he began blind-tasting as a hobby.
In 2004, Ragg, along with his partner Fongyee Walker MW, co-authored and regularly revises 'The Cambridge University Guide to Blind-Tasting'. The guide has been a staple resource for wine enthusiasts and professionals alike.
In 2007, Ragg co-founded Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting in Beijing with Fongyee. The consultancy has since become a leading force in the Chinese wine industry. Ragg's dedication to the industry was further recognised in 2019 when he became a Master of Wine (MW).
Ragg's expertise extends beyond the borders of China. He has served as a guest international judge for various wine shows and competitions, honing his skills and expanding his international judging experience. From 2019-2024, he was the reviewer of Chinese wines for The Robert Parker Wine Advocate.
In addition to his work in the wine industry, Ragg is also a prolific writer. His principal focus is poetry, and he is the author of several collections. In 2010, he authored 'Wallace Stevens and the Aesthetics of Abstraction', a scholarly work that analysed Stevens' relationship with wine. Part of this work was dedicated to exploring the poet's wine-tasting journals.
Ragg's website provides more information about his work, including his role as a tutor for the WSET Diploma in mainland China, where he and Fongyee are among the most experienced tutors. Ragg has also developed his Mandarin Chinese to deliver wine classes and presentations across mainland China.
As a Captain and Coach of the Cambridge Blind-Tasting team, Ragg's passion for wine has been evident throughout his career. His dedication and expertise have been rewarded with several prestigious awards, including the Robert Mondavi Award for the best performance across the MW Theory papers and the Quinta do Noval Award for the best MW research paper (2019 examination).
With the DWWA judging panel comprising some of the world's top experts in wine tasting, Ragg's addition to the team underscores his standing in the industry. Judges like Nimmi Malhotra and Tim Marson MW were noted participants in the 2025 event, highlighting the diversity and expertise among the panelists.
As Ragg takes his place at the DWWA, wine enthusiasts and professionals alike can look forward to his insightful contributions to the judging process. His unique blend of academic rigour, practical experience, and passion for wine promises to enrich the event and contribute to the celebration of the world's finest wines.
[1] Decanter.com, "Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judging Panel", https://www.decanter.com/dwwa/judging-panel [2] Decanter.com, "Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judging Panel", https://www.decanter.com/dwwa/judging-panel [3] Decanter.com, "Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judging Panel", https://www.decanter.com/dwwa/judging-panel [4] Decanter.com, "Decanter World Wine Awards 2025: Judging Panel", https://www.decanter.com/dwwa/judging-panel
Edward Ragg MW's addition to the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) judging panel signifies his commitment to education-and-self-development in the field of wine, particularly contributing to personal-growth through his inherent passion, expertise, and unique academic approach. Ragg's involvement in the DWWA further highlights his ongoing dedication to promoting the finest wines from around the world, helping to fuel continued personal-growth within the global wine industry.
