I recently read an article listing the top 50 most influential women in the wine trade. As you might imagine there was an interesting mix of characters, including property owners, journalists, MW’s, winemakers, writers etc.,etc. – a real cross-section of our industry. Perhaps not unsurprisingly at No.1 sits Gina Gallo, chief winemaker of the Gallo empire. Whilst I have never met her, I do know her husband Jean-Charles Boisset rather well. I have visited the Boisset family home on a number of occasions, and indeed it was his father Jean-Claude who sponsored me to become a Chevalier du Tastevin at the world famous Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy. The night of my induction was something that I will never forget, and I should also mention that it was the first official event that Angela and I attended together, even before we were married. Jean-Charles attended the dinner with us.

Meanwhile, back at the list of famous women, I am pleased to say that, despite not knowing Gina Gallo, I have met at least two of the other top five candidates on the list, namely Jancis Robinson and Lalou Bize-Leroy. The latter (formerly the joint head of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti), and now the owner of the world famous Domaine Leroy, is certainly near the very top of my own list of favourite winemakers. In the last few months Angela and I have enjoyed at least two bottles of Domaine Leroy at our favourite restaurant Pepe Vieira. Naturally, these wines are highly sought after, and usually quite difficult to find (especially here in Spain). It was Angela’s first experience of this Domaine’s stunning wines, and I think it’s fair to say that she was quite impressed….

A bit nearer to home we have our own list of famous women. Within the denomination of Rias Baixas several of the best wines are made by women (including our very own I hasten to add). It’s probably at this point in my post that I should admit that there is a vaild argument that women make better wines than men. Without trying to sound sexist for one moment, they do have a very good touch around the cellar, and produce some very fine and elegant wines.

I should close by saying that today’s photo shows my very own famous women – the two Angelas, my wife and our beautiful daughter. The photo was taken at a recent tasting and was the very first time that we have revealed Angela 2.o to the world of wine! The next generation? We shall see…..

I recently read an article listing the top 50 most influential women in the wine trade. As you might imagine there was an interesting mix of characters, including property owners, journalists, MW’s, winemakers, writers etc.,etc. – a real cross-section of our industry. Perhaps not unsurprisingly at No.1 sits Gina Gallo, chief winemaker of the Gallo empire. Whilst I have never met her, I do know her husband Jean-Charles Boisset rather well. I have visited the Boisset family home on a number of occasions, and indeed it was his father Jean-Claude who sponsored me to become a Chevalier du Tastevin at the world famous Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy. The night of my induction was something that I will never forget, and I should also mention that it was the first official event that Angela and I attended together, even before we were married. Jean-Charles attended the dinner with us.

Meanwhile, back at the list of famous women, I am pleased to say that, despite not knowing Gina Gallo, I have met at least two of the other top five candidates on the list, namely Jancis Robinson and Lalou Bize-Leroy. The latter (formerly the joint head of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti), and now the owner of the world famous Domaine Leroy, is certainly near the very top of my own list of favourite winemakers. In the last few months Angela and I have enjoyed at least two bottles of Domaine Leroy at our favourite restaurant Pepe Vieira. Naturally, these wines are highly sought after, and usually quite difficult to find (especially here in Spain). It was Angela’s first experience of this Domaine’s stunning wines, and I think it’s fair to say that she was quite impressed….

A bit nearer to home we have our own list of famous women. Within the denomination of Rias Baixas several of the best wines are made by women (including our very own I hasten to add). It’s probably at this point in my post that I should admit that there is a vaild argument that women make better wines than men. Without trying to sound sexist for one moment, they do have a very good touch around the cellar, and produce some very fine and elegant wines.

I should close by saying that today’s photo shows my very own famous women – the two Angelas, my wife and our beautiful daughter. The photo was taken at a recent tasting and was the very first time that we have revealed Angela 2.o to the world of wine! The next generation? We shall see…..