Women of the Vine
by Deborah Brenner
Women of the Vine takes us into the world of wine through the eyes of its largest consumer: women. Deborah Brenner, wine negotiant and founder & CEO of Shop4Charity.com, A Products for Charity, Inc.Company, introduces the reader to women winemakers, women sommeliers, and the growing groups of women getting together to just enjoy wine. The book features sidebars filled with tips and tricks to show the reader how to choose a memorable bottle, store wine after opening, select the best wine accessories, and taste wine like a pro. Complete with a helpful glossary and striking color photographs, this fun and accessible book is the perfect gift for any woman who loves wine. Helpful vocabulary and photographs complete this fun and accessible package.
Review
Brenner, a marketing executive-turned-wine label owner, presents wide-ranging interviews with 21 women involved in the wine industry, covering everything from the crush to the shoes to the perfect pregnancy timetable when working among the grapes. After a brief description of the winemaking process, Brenner offers detailed, quote-heavy profiles of award-winning winemakers like Heidi Peterson Barrett and Kristin Bedair, who pontificate on life as, in the words of winemaker Gina Gallo, "part farmer, part scientist, part chef, part CEO." Besides the success, there's plenty of angst and adversity—disappearing funds, gender discrimination, and family tragedy—to serve as inspiration to those in need of career advice. While most of the interviews are with winemakers from California, several are with afficionados such as Stephanie Browne, founder of Divas Uncorked, a wine group for women of color, and top industry scholar Dr. Ann Noble. Though Brenner's upbeat voice can veer into self-help speak, anyone who enjoys wine will find much to like in this collection, especially those laboring along "the journey from 'cellar rat' to renowned and respected winemaker." (Nov.) (Publishers Weekly, November 27, 2006)
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