Ladies Only---Sorry fellas, next time, I promise!

It has long been a dream of mine to put on an event about wine that would be for women, about women and produced by a woman, me. The reason being is that women tend to be far more intimidated by the world of wine. I really want to help you overcome this fear and to introduce you to a world that has brought so much fun and joy into my life. I often find that women shy away from ordering wine in a restaurant or in a mixed group environment for fear of looking silly. Ladies I am here to set you free from this moment on!

Did you know that women purchase more wine than men! Yes this is true! Women also are known for the word of mouth factor. We like to share our new and great finds with other people. Marketers know this about us and that is why the wine industry targets their selling towards women.

I read a book a few years back called "The 80% Minority" which stated that in 2003 women controlled 80% of the consumer dollars in North America. Astounding isn't it. Women today are still the major consumers / purchasers of goods and services. We do most of the research when it comes to new purchases be it cars, houses, where to vacation. The list is endless. Surprised?

Did you know that women are pretty darn good at wine tasting! This is not a bias on my part. You will hear men in the industry say this too. It is honestly not meant in any way other than to let you know and encourage you not to be afraid by it all. It truly is fun and enjoyable.

It was a woman by the name of Dr. Ann Noble of the University of California Davis who set out to describe the aromas of wine by compiling words /descriptors and organizing them into what is now famously known as "The Aroma Wheel". This wheel is an amazing tool when one is first learning about wines and spirits. It helps to teach us the vocabulary of wine and to increase our knowledge of wine aromas and descriptive terms. The more we practice at it the more our verbal descriptors and knowledge expands.


How about the Champagne region of France and Veuve Clicquot. Now this was one savvy business woman. She is also credited with creating a technique known as riddling. You can read more about the Widow Clicquot in my blog.



Their are so many very talented winemakers who happen to be women. It is my desire to showcase them and their talents to the world.

The Ontario Wineries Tour Guide Book lists 18 women who are winemakers. 18!! Natalie Spytkowsky from Rosewood Estates for one! You can read more about Natalie in my blog, Rosewood Estates.


At the top of this blog I mentioned my dream. I am currently working on an upcoming event of women winemakers and women in the industry! So ladies if you are interested and would like more information please email me at info@divineindulgence.ca. It's very exciting!!

And fellas, if you have a female in your life that you think would be interested please do let them know. Or better yet buy a ticket and surprise them with it!! I promise to have a show for you too because you need to know about these fabulous women!! Ladies first though.

$10.00 of the ticket cost will be donated to the Women for Women Organization, http://www.womenforwomen.org/. This organization helps women in war torn countries re-establish themselves. It provides them with education, vocational skills, income generation and micro loans financing etcetera. It's a fabulous organization. Please check out their website.

Spread the word!! It's going to be fun!!

Salud!
Jacqueline

The Wine Princess

Good morning,
I just have to share this with you. My sister-in-law is the bees knees! She is one of these people who listens when you speak. She is also observant when you are out shopping with her. She will remember something you said you liked a year ago, tuck it away in her mind, then keep her eyes and ears open in the hopes of finding that special something for you.

I spent last week-end with her and she had picked up a "couple of things for me". Oh did I mention she also has a great sense of humour. Have you seen the People magazines that are out right now that recollect things like people of distinction i.e. Martha Stewart going to jail? There are also the ones that recall an era. Yes, she had picked up the one that related to my era. And no I'm not going to say what era! After all, a lady doesn't talk about age! All I will say is that it is brilliant! A trip down memory lane!

She gave me the perfume that I love and have been out of for sooooo long! She also made a donation to an animal shelter for me because like her I love animals!! The next gift I couldn't help but laugh and laugh and laugh. Have a look at the picture below.

Now talk about funny. I LOVE THIS APRON!! How fitting for me. I love the necklace and the crown. I love the shades she is wearing and the bangle on her wrist. I love the fancy dress and the correct way she is holding the glass of wine. I love that she is swirling the wine and has her lips pursed in the manner that we do when tasting to draw in air to release the aromas. I love that she is a WINE PRINCESS!!

My sister-in-law has two sisters that are equally funny and great people to be around. Her one sister had bought her a book, a funny book of course, with little sayings about women and life and things. I especially liked two pages. The first is a woman in the kitchen with a bottle of wine and she says " I love to cook with wine, and sometimes I even put it in the food." I howled. You've got to love that wine humour. The next one is a lady with a glass in her hand and she says " I'm on a gin and tonic diet. So far I've lost two days!! Funny, funny, funny! (No I don't condone this type of drinking it's just about the humour!).

I hope you all have a wonderful person in your life as I do in my sister-in-law! Laughing is good!

Have a great day everyone!

Cheers
The Wine Princess

p.s.note to self...must get crown for my next tasting

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to 2010. As I think back over this last year I am instantly struck by the thought "Where did the year go"? What have I done.....or not done with my time or what should I have done. The questions are endless. One thing is for sure it was an invigorating year filled with many highs and also as is life, some lows.

As I was reflecting on the past year and anticipating this coming year I came across a scroll that was hanging in a Tibetan shop with a phrase from the 14th Dalai Lama. I purchased the scroll and in now hangs on the wall by my computer as a daily reminder. I thought I would share it with you. I hope you like it as much as I do!

The True Meaning of Life

We are visitors on this planet.

We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the very most.

During that period we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives.

If you contribute to other people's happiness you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

Beautiful, don't you agree! I especially like the part about ninety to one hundred years. So I've got quite a way to go yet. Good thing I like to drink wine with its health benefits (in moderation of course) or so they say!

So my promise to you this year is to open you up to many new experiences be they wine and spirits, culinary, music, theatre and just wonderful people that I come across in my daily life that I personally think you should know about. The world is our oyster!

I want to wish you all joy, happiness, love and prosperity in this new year and years to come!

Here's to 2010! And lots of blogging!

Jacqueline