Burgundy’s Women and Wine
My Latest in Palate Press:
Women and Wine in Burgundy, Revisited
by L.M. Archer
L.M. Archer reports on the 20-year anniversary of Femmes et Vins de Bourgogne, a professional organization celebrating Burgundy’s women and wine.
“You do not notice changes in what is always before you.” – Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette
I first reported on Burgundy’s Women and Wine organization in 2016 for Palate Press, and this year marks the twentieth anniversary of Femmes et vins de Bourgogne or FEVB.
Back in 2000, Burgundy [Bourgogne in French] enjoyed the fruits of a generation of hard labor. The roots of this exceptional vintage can be traced back to the 1980s, with a group of young winemakers such as Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac, Dominique Lefon of Domaine des Comtes Lefon, and the late Patrick Bize of Domaine Simon Bize. Unlike their forebears, this new generation enrolled in wine school and chose winemaking as a career, rather than renting out their land for others to grow grapes.
They traveled abroad to learn other farming and production methods, employing what they learned when they returned to Burgundy. In addition, they eschewed chemicals, introducing organic and biodynamic farming. Finally, they upgraded equipment, and implemented marketing plans. Most importantly, this ‘band of brothers’ collaborated, something foreign in tight-lipped Burgundy. As a result, Burgundy’s reputation and visibility burgeoned.
Yet despite all these strides, many still considered winemaking a man’s domain. Against this background, a few brave women sought to emulate the collaboration they witnessed all around them, ushering in FEVB with the new millennium. Here’s a look back at its remarkable twenty-year journey. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.
More on Bourgogne by L.M. Archer:
How to Enjoy Burgundy Wine
The Battle to Get Pouilly-Fuissé the Premier Cru Recognition it Deserve
How the Maison Joseph Drouhin 2018 Vintage is Tasting
How the Wine World is Coping with Coronavirus
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