Meet The...Worldly Women Winemakers
Wine Entre Femme

DISCOVER - February 9, 2010

By Michelle Locke

Women in wine aren't the rare vintage they used to be. But a recent tasting by the group Wine Entre Femme took the female factor up a notch. Represented were women winemakers from around the world, including Switzerland, Japan and Turkey.

Who knew those countries had wine industries, let alone women winemakers?

Swiss winemaker Madeleine Gay was on hand to clue us in that the land of chocolate, watches and diplomacy has a long winemaking history. Production is small, one reason Swiss wines are hard to find here.

What sets Alpine wine apart, said Gay, who works in the Valais region in southern Switzerland, is diversity; scores of grape varieties are cultivated, many of them unfamiliar.

Gay poured us some Petite Arvine, a full-bodied white, and a robust red Diolinoir. Swiss winemakers also brought late-harvest wines, ranging from ripe and mellow to super-sweet.

WEF was founded in 2008 by Sharon Harris of the Napa Valley's Amici Cellars. The plan was to forge links with women of wine in France's Bordeaux region. But the group has gone way beyond those borders. This February, more than 50 labels were represented at a group tasting in San Francisco.

The idea is to build community within the industry and, ultimately, make a connection between women who make wine and women who buy it, said Harris.

"We have an obligation to do a better job communicating to women wine consumers," said Harris. "This is a passion of mine."

Next time you and your friends are feeling adventuresome and just dying to pull out that fondue pot, we've included some pairings suggested by importer Laurent Crolla of Wisconsin-based Swiss Cellars.

Michelle Locke writes a nationally distributed wine column for The Associated Press and works as a freelance writer in Northern California, specializing in wine, food and travel.

Swiss Pairings

Chasselas, known as Fendant in Valais, a light-bodied white, pairs well with white fish. Drink young.

Petite Arvine, a dry white, works as an aperitif with seafood or salads.

Humagne Rouge, a red wine with earthy tones, pairs with game and dry cheese.

Cornalin, a fruit-forward red, pairs well with beef.

Wine Entre Femme
www.WineEntreFemme.com

For more on Swiss wine:
www.SwissWine.ch/english/bienv/main.asp

Looking for Swiss Wines?
Check out www.SwissCellars.com or email info@swisscellars.com

Our regular Meet The... series profiles the winemakers, chefs, vintners
and others that weave the rich tapestry of wine country culture.

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