Wine: The feminine touch

Despite the supposed swing to equality and better wages and opportunities for women, gender discrimination and not enough representation on boards of directors, etc, girl power is alive and well and flourishing in the local wine industry.

Take the women out of New Zealand winemaking and marketing and things would look pretty grim. This is not to say that the blokes aren't pulling their weight, it's just that there's a rapidly developing interest and passion - along with ability - of women in a career that seems eminently suitable to their unique skills, sensitivity and style.

Wine hovers on the list marked "luxury goods". It's about fashion and flair, taste, smell and presentation. It's about balance, texture, authenticity and social occasions. It relates to food, friendship and frivolity. It's also a serious business.

Wine doesn't sell itself. It needs nurturing, understanding and promotion. It needs a story and someone to articulate that. It needs class. I humbly suggest that most qualities required on the journey from vine to glass, are best exemplified by women. They "get" it.

I don't think it's by accident that in the last two weeks I have sampled wine from female winemakers: Tracey Haslam of Ti Point, Summer Bell of Stonyridge, Annie Millton of Millton Estate, Nina Stocker of Catalina Sounds, Carol Bunn of Locharburn, Jules Taylor of Jules Taylor Wines, Kate Galloway of Alpha Domus, Jane Hunter of Hunters Wines, Rebecca Wiffen of Lawsons Dry Hills, Christie Brown of Wild South, Jane Cooper of Woven Store and Katie Hammond of Dry River. I could easily add many more names.

Some are part of a female-male winemaking duo or may now be less involved in the daily winemaking process, but that's only because they have taken on additional responsibility for running the operation.
If ever there's an industry that has heeded the "We are women, hear us roar" mantra, it's the world of wine.

What is also worth noting is that the blokes are not threatened and welcome the rise and rise of the female factor in the precise and subtle business of producing fine wine. There was a lot of fuss at the recent Academy Awards because, for the first time ever, a woman won the Oscar for Best Director. The fact is, they've been picking up awards in the Kiwi wine industry for years.

RECOMMENDED

2008 Alpha Domus
The Wingwalker Viognier
Now in its fifth year of release, the more mature vines are providing a viognier with big aromas and a superbly balanced creamy texture. A lovely change from chardonnay.
Price: $23

2009 Lawsons Dry Hills
The Pioneer Gerwurztraminer
A wine like viognier that should be more popular. This is one of our best gerwurztraminers. The usual rainbow of flavours: lychee, rose petal, dried fruits, lemon and spice. Medium style.
Price: $32