CultureFrom Drug Research to Wine Tasting: Oxford-Cambridge Scholar’s Seven-Year Journey to Master of Wine

Dr Hong Ri Han, who holds a doctorate in medical sciences from Oxford University and a master’s degree in pharmacology from the University of Cambridge, earned the Master of Wine qualification in 2025. Since the certification was established in 1953, only about 420 people worldwide have achieved it, with a pass rate of roughly 15 percent. He spent seven years and about S$70,000 completing the demanding programme. He hopes more Singaporeans will see wine as a wider world of culture and terroir, rather than only prestige estates and appearances.