| Even in France, where wine making
has long been considered a male sport, women are making
outstanding contributions to the production of quality
wine. Lalou Bizé Leroy of Domaine Leroy in Burgundy is
someone who immediately comes to mind. Some experts say
she may well be the most dedicated wine maker in the world, and
it's hard to disagree with this opinion: the wines of
Domaine Leroy often represent the best Burgundy has to
offer. Château d'Yquem, one of Bordeaux's (and the
world's) greatest sweet wines, is now produced by thirty-five
year-old Sandrine Garbay.
HERE, THERE, and EVERYWHERE
Today every facet of the wine
industry has been influenced and advanced by women, including some
who write about wine. Jancis Robinson, MW (Master of Wine)
edited The Oxford Companion to Wine, which is considered the
industry's reference bible. Serena Sutcliffe, MW is an
author who also heads the International Wine Department for the
auction house, Sotheby's. There are also some fine female
sommeliers who have greatly influenced the wine service
industry. Madeline Triffon, MS (Master Sommelier) is now the
director of wine for the Unique Restaurant Group in Detroit, and
Karen King is at New York's popular Union Square Café. Both
have been offering sound advice and lowering the anxiety levels of
diners for decades. Roger Dagorn, MS, at New York's
Chanterelle restaurant, is one of the country's top sommeliers and
serves as an advisor for both the American Sommelier Association
and the International Sommelier Association. Dagorn has
observed that the number of female sommelier applicants has
steadily increased over the past decade.
Today there is room for everyone in
the wine industry, and these relatively recent accomplishments by
women are very welcome. Our wine future is in excellent
hands! -- "DRINK WELL." |
Return
