Les Trinqueuses
In a world where wine culture has long been dominated by men, Les Trinqueuses emerges as a beacon of inclusivity and celebration. This groundbreaking event, held on April 13th at Ground Control, Paris, marked the debut of a remarkable endeavour dedicated almost solely to female winemakers. Spearheaded by Léa Blanchemanche, director of Ground Control, Charlène Montecinos, sommelier at La Communale, and Alexandra Guichard, daughter and agent of winemakers, Les Trinqueuses boldly challenges the notion that the wine industry is a male-dominated realm.
It wasn’t so very long ago that superstitions about women being able to ‘turn’ wine, upheld by a patriarchal hierarchy, prohibited them from even entering wine cellars. Needless to say, we’ve come a long way since then, and today, there are an ever-growing number of women involved in every stage of wine-making. But the world of wine is still very much male-dominated so Les Trinqueuses, while placing women in the fore and celebrating the role of women in wine, is far from exclusive. It acknowledges the duos and collectives of women working with husbands, friends, fathers and brothers. And in contrast to most wine events, it was not just a ‘professional’ tasting, but also invited a broad demographic to discover the world of wine. Hence the very comprehensive signage that gives extensive explanations of regions and methodologies.
So many wines, so little time
With an impressive lineup of 30 vigneronnes hailing from practically every wine region of France, Les Trinqueuses offers an inspiring array of organic, biodynamic and natural wines, each bearing the unique imprint of its creator. It is always a challenge in collective tastings to cover everything, and we were especially limited in terms of time with a wine walk that afternoon. Nevertheless, we managed to taste about 30 wines (mostly whites) that were as diverse and uplifting as they were delicious.
Les Trinqueuses is not merely about wine; it's a multifaceted celebration of femininity and empowerment. Amidst the tastings, attendees were able to engage in enlightening roundtable discussions on pressing topics such as the role of women in gastronomy and the challenges faced by female vintners in the industry.
Scheduled from noon until midnight, Les Trinqueuses promised, and delivered on, a day filled with sensory delights, thought-provoking conversations, and vibrant cultural exchanges. It's a testament to the resilience, creativity, and sheer talent of women in wine, inviting all enthusiasts to raise their glasses in celebration of diversity and inclusion.
Although we were not able to stay for the roundtables or the evening festivities with a lively fusion of music and revelry, we went away with a fervent desire to reserve a lot more time for the next edition.
Les Trinqueuses isn't just an event; it's a movement—an affirmation of the enduring legacy of women in wine and a toast to the future of a more equitable and vibrant industry.
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