Celebrating IWD with Female Winemakers Around the World!
Celebrate the women in your life by keeping glasses, stomachs and hearts full. On this March 8th International Women’s Day, we raise a glass to women around the world, along with the many talented winemakers behind some of the most stunning wines in the TOASST catalogue.
Check out their bios below along with featured TOASST selections and food pairing recommendations from our wine experts!
Maria Luz Marin, Casa Marin
Chile’s first female winemaker and winery owner, Maria Luz Marin has gone on to establish a preeminent boutique winery in a wine landscape dominated mostly by large producers. With the distinction of being the closest vineyard to the Pacific Ocean in Chile in the cool climate region, the wines are now made by winemaking team of Maria and son Felipe Marin and are known for exuding a personality through high acidity, texture and freshness.
Featured Wine: Casa Marin Cartagena Coastal Red 2017
Recommended Wine and Food Pairing: Go authentic and pair this lighter style medium-bodied red blend of mostly Grenache and cool climate Syrah with a juicy Chilean Spice-Rubbed Pork Shank. The bright cherry and strawberry nose, black pepper spice, herbs, medium tannins, earthy savory notes, and elegant finish makes a perfect match with the chile infused, meltingly tender meat.
Recipe link: https://www.saveur.com/chile-rubbed-pork-shanks-recipe/
Dr. Laura Catena, Catena Zapata
Fourth generation Argentine vintner, physician and author Dr. Laura Catena has often been called the face of Argentine wine for her role in elevating the Mendoza wine region and Argentine Malbec. She joined her father Nicolás Catena Zapata in 1995 with the vision to make Argentine wines compete with other world-class wines, and elevate Malbec to the level of the world’s most sought-after varietals.
Recommended wine: Catena Mendoza Chardonnay 2019
Recommended Wine and Food Pairing: A blend of grapes from four vineyards from Mendoza's high altitude terroirs harvested at different times, this Chardonnay is defined by its cool climate character and underlying complexity. Bright acidity, oak, stone fruit, ripe peach, a bit of vanilla, butter and creaminess on the end with a rich mouthfeel. With its high altitude acidity, pair with a Miso marinated block cod to let the flavors shine through while cutting through the buttery texture of the fish.
Recipe link: https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-nobu-miso-marinated-black-cod-117238
Bernice Ong, Ministry of Clouds
Part of the husband-and-wife duo behind McLaren Vale-based Ministry of Clouds, Bernice Ong is a corporate refugee now behind a young, cult winery making wines in Clare Valley, Tasmania, and McLaren Vale. Their signature style is to grow organically, focusing on the finest grapes from the most distinct vineyards and producing elegant, timeless wines made to pair with food.
Featured wine: McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019
Recommended Wine and Food Pairing: With the aim of producing a more modern, slender and youthful expression of Shiraz, this wine is sourced from combination of the famed dry- grown Blewitt Springs deep sandy vineyard, and a younger more structured and fragrant parcel from the shallow old bedrock of the couple's own Onkaparinga Rocks vineyard. Concentrated red fruit nose with aromas of brooding dark cherry, raspberry, black plums, stewed fruit, meaty, savoury and earthy notes with oak and tinge of vanilla. Silky, luscious well-integrated tannins with a structured, elegant finish, we like this playful version of Shiraz paired with Korean Chicken wings
Recipe link: https://www.thewickednoodle.com/korean-chicken-wings/
Rosie Menzies, Carrick Winery
Rosie Menzies joined Carrick in late 2018. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, Rosie’s interest in wine was sparked by her charismatic 6th form chemistry teacher, who tasked students with making their own wine as a special project.Having worked with a few of the world’s finest producers – Craggy Range, Seresin, GD Vajra, Chapoutier and Cristom - Rosie is a driving force behind the wines at Carrick, an integrated organic vineyard, winery, restaurant and cellar door in Bannockburn, Central Otago.
Featured wine: Carrick Winery Pinot Gris 2018
Recommended Wine and Food Pairing: This Alsatian style, 100% estate grown Pinot Gris made with wild yeast, hint of residual sugar and aged in old French barrels. Medium-bodied with pear, apple, lemon, citrus and a stony mineral nose, it features an off-dry, sweet tinge with surprisingly clean acidity and texture. The texture, minerality and mixture of sweet and salty pairs well with an easy weeknight meal of Steamed Clams with Garlic Butter and Wine.
Recipe link: https://theartoffoodandwine.com/steamed-clams-with-garlic-butter-and-wine/
Jennnifer Doyle, JANSZ Tasmania
As head viticulturist at one of the most highly regarded sparkling houses in Australia, Jennifer Doyle has helped to steer the course for JANSZ’s sparkling styles as well as elevate the prominence and reputation of Tasmanian sparkling wine. Named Australian Women in Wine Viticulturist of the Year in 2017, she prefers dryer styles which extends through the expressions of all 6 sparkling wines in the current portfolio.
Featured wine: JANSZ Premium Cuvee NV
Recommended Wine and Food Pairing: Watch out. This might just become your go-to bubbly for summer sipping through festive entertaining. Made from the leading sparkling specialist in Tasmania and the first to use méthode traditionnelle style in Champagne in the region, this cool climate sparkling from the Pipers River region features vibrant lively beads of bubbles that dance on the tongue with a lingering round finish. Creamy brioche, nutty, strawberry, lemon and tropical aromas with citrus flavors on the end, this dry sparkler with high acidity is a refreshing apertif or perfectly paired with insanely tasty truffle fries.
Recipe link: https://www.acouplecooks.com/parmesan-truffle-fries/
All wines above are a mix of current and previous TOASST selections, all available at www.toasst.co or via our wine experts at info@toasst.co