Grape & Grain | Meet the women who are breaking the wine glass ceiling, as critics, makers and more
Women have been involved in wine for generations, but mostly in sales and marketing. Now increasing numbers are working as sommeliers, winemakers, critics and educators
In wine, as in many things, women need to be sharp with our tongues – for tasting, certainly, but also for talking. Generations of women have dominated the wine industry in the areas of marketing and communicating. Lately, they are also climbing the ranks in education, winemaking, and leadership.
In May, I was delighted to share a panel with three of wine’s most powerful voices at Vinexpo Hong Kong: Karen MacNeil, author of the bestselling The Wine Bible, Sarah Kemp, publishing director at Decanter, and Sarah Jane Evans MW, chairman of the Institute of the Masters of Wine.
MacNeil wrote The Wine Bible in 2001 to share her experience and give others confidence.
“When you are a beginner at anything, the road up the mountain is long and sometimes confusing,” she says. “The Wine Bible, is in many ways, the book I wish I’d had when I was on my journey to learn wine.”
The idea of sharing – information, experiences, and education – is a common thread among female leaders. Sarah Kemp says women are collaborative, not competitive, in their approach to critiquing and communicating. “When women talk about wine, it’s a conversation, a two-way street. We want to share the things we love, share information, and share our pleasure,” says the 30-year industry veteran.
