As Women’s History Month comes to an end, we travel to France and Italy to profile several more women in the wine industry.

Alexandra Boudrot, Pierre Sparr

Alexandra Boudrot is working in our House since 12 years as an oenologist, but also as our Terroirs and Vine growing specialist: she was the person who helped our vine growers express the best of their vineyards. Her vinification experience begun in Burgundy ( her family origin ), and through her Pierre Sparr experience, she acquired a specific sensibility of wine approach. Thanks to the new cellar dedicated to the Pierre Sparr wines, she will pursue her vine growing skills by taking over all the responsibility of the vinification of the Pierre Sparr wines. Of course, keep the actual spirit will be her priority.
(biography and photo taken from vins-sparr.com)

Pick up a bottle of Pierre Sparr Riesling. Winemaker notes: This relatively dry Riesling has beautiful varietal character. It is light-bodied and crisp with pear, lemon zest, and apricot notes. It’s a great value.

Also, pick up a bottle of Pierre Sparr Alsace Pinot Blanc and Pierre Sparr Pinot Gris.

Laurence Feraud, Chateau Pegau

Laurence, the daughter of Paul & Odette returned to settle in Châteauneuf du Pape in 1987, having completed her wine studies and wine and spirits business school. She proposed to her parents to create an independent family estate of 5ha and registered the name Pegau. The pegau is a wine jug used in the 14th century during the papal period. In 1987 the Domaine du Pegau was created. In 1992, following wine presentations at various competitions and reviews, that Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Pegau red was ranked in the top three wines. During this same year, Laurence acquired various export markets and was able to sell 100% of the harvest of the 1990 vintage. Step by step, the investments in vineyards were rewarded, and since then Domaine du Pegau has continued to expand its operations and distribution networks around the world.
(biography and photo taken from pegau.com)

Pick up a bottle of Chat Pegau Maclura Cotes du Rhone Rouge. Winemaker notes: Loaded with classic Côtes du Rhône fruit and spice, the wines retain the hallmark stamp and identity of Pegau. Intense aromas of cassis, blackberry, and spice, with soft, ripe, tannins on the palate and a lingering finish.

Marilisa Allegrini, Allegrini Winery

Marilisa has been responsible for marketing since 1980: guided by an instinctive passion for wine, she promotes Allegrini wines and the Valpolicella area throughout the world. When she presents a wine, she tells the story of its history, where it comes from, how it pairs with food, the labors of those who work in the vineyards and the efforts made to unite tradition and innovation. Marilisa also cast her eye further afield to other areas of Italy renowned for their viticultural excellence and set out on a fascinating ‘adventure’ in Tuscany: in 2001, with her brother Walter, she founded Poggio al Tesoro in Bolgheri and in 2006, in partnership with Leonardo Lo Cascio, she purchased San Polo, a beautiful Estate in Montalcino.
(biography and photo taken from website.allegrini.it)

Pick up a bottle of Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre Red Blend. Winemaker notes: Ruby red in color with purple hues, this Italian red blend offers light hints of raisins and sophisticated notes of vanilla, black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. Featuring a long, velvety finish and soft wine tannins, this full bodied Italian wine is great on its own or paired with any meal.

Lia Tolaini-Banville, Tolaini Winery and Donna Laura

In 2004, an opportunity arose at Tolaini Winery in Castelnuovo Berardenga that resulted in the production of Lia’s own wine label, Donna Laura. The label is loving tribute to her Aunt Laura, the woman whose lessons of family, tradition and honor would share double billing with Lia’s own heritage. Roman gods Venus, Bacchus and Cupid personifying Lia’s children adorn the labels of Donna Laura Wines, celebrating this legacy of devotion to family and affirming the adage ‘Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire’ – no matter where you go or turn you will always end up at home.
(biography taken from donnalaurawines.com; photo credit: tolaini.it)

Pick up a bottle of Tolaini Valdisanti Toscana. Winemaker notes: Youthful, rich dark fruit, berry and cassis aromas meld with notable French oak spice. On the palate, Valdisanti is full-bodied with deep but reserved fruit flavors framed by rich oak. The excellent balance of fruit intensity with fine tannins indicates a cellar-worthy wine. Some sediment may occur in the bottom of the bottle as the wine is not filtered.