My mother is, of course, my greatest hero and, I'm happy to say, a wine lover. I always enjoy sharing a glass with her. You can bet I'll be toasting her this coming Sunday.
In honour of Mother's Day, I thought I would call out some of my favourite female winemakers who are raising families as well as wines. Their wares also make great gifts for your wine-drinking Moms.
Maria Elena Jimenez and Marta Casas
Parés Baltà, Catalunya, Spain
Both Maria Elena and Marta married into the Cusiné family who established Parés Baltà. Trained oenologists, the sisters-in-law are responsible for making the estate's wines. I've never actually met either of these ladies, both of whom also have two kids. However, I've enjoyed a lot of their wine and met their husbands, who travel around the globe extolling the virtues of their wines and wives.
n/v Parés Baltà • Brut, Cava DO, Spain • $24-26
Private wine stores (Everything Wine, Firefly Fine Wines & Ales)
A top-notch Cava boasting pear, evocative dried herbs and pastry nuances. With a creamy mousse, this elegant sparkler is very easy to drink, especially at brunch time.
Catherine Breton
Catherine & Pierre Breton, Loire Valley, France
Catherine and Pierre's small domain has become a reference for Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley. While Pierre is the chief winemaker, in 2002 Catherine started crafting wine under the “Dilettante” label. For a ‘dabbler', she's making some pretty darn good wines, which her daughter helps promote.
n/v Dilettante • Brut, Vouvray AOC France • $40-44
Private wine stores, Kitsilano Wine Cellar, Marquis Wine Cellars, Liberty Wine Merchants
A sparkling Chenin Blanc made in the traditional method, Dilettante is dry, pretty, and light on its feet. With aromas and flavours of preserved lemon peel, honey, white blossoms and zippy acidity, it's the perfect springtime apéritif.
Ornella Correggia
Matteo Correggia, Roero, Italy
Although Ornella isn't actually the winemaker, she's the glue that has kept this winery together. After losing her husband Matteo suddenly at a tragically young age, she carried on his vision of bringing renown to Piemonte's Roero denomination. She also raised two of the loveliest children, who now work alongside her. The eldest, Giovanni, has recently taken on the winemaking. I have as much affection for this family as I do the wines.
2013 Matteo Correggia • Roero DOCG, Italy • $36-39
Private wine stores, Legacy Liquor Store, Marquis Wine Cellars
Overshadowed by the neighbouring Barolo and Barbaresco denominations, Roero produces a lighter style of Nebbiolo. Fine-boned and juicy, Matteo Correggia's demonstrates beautiful perfumed red roses, raspberry and cedar notes with an underlying firmness.
Laura Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina
I have so much admiration for this woman on so many levels. Besides being the general director of her family's estate, Bodega Catena Zapata, she is an emergency room medical doctor and has her own wine label called Luca (named after her oldest son). Somehow, she knows how to prioritize all of her various responsibilities with impressive results across the board.
2013 Catena Alta • Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina • $52.99
BC Liquor Stores & Everything Wine
If your Mom is a fan of Malbec, treat her to the Catena Alta. This comes from some of Catena's historical plantings at high altitudes and offers pure floral notes of violets and lavender with deep red cherry on a polished, smooth and sumptuous palate.
• Prices exclusive of taxes.
