Philosophy

Feminine and not feminist

In 2000, Virginie Taupenot and her colleague Anne Parent bumped into each other at a wine fair. The winegrower from Pommard tells her about her will to federate a feminine network on wine. Virginie Taupenot and four other wine professionals (Chantal Tortochot, Mireille Desmont-Billard, Anne Schussler-Naudin and Véronique Desfontaine) agree. Together, they founded Femmes et Vin de Bourgogne, a “feminine and not feminist” association.

More and more influence in the world of wine

“We realised that women had more and more influence in the world of wine and that we could bring complementary opinions to the sector. Therefore we decided to set up the association “Femmes et Vins de Bourgogne". Then we  listed women likely to be part of our association and invited them to our first general meeting on the 17th of may 2001, to explain our project. The responses were very positive. Around thirty women have joined the association so far, from Chablis down to the Côte de Nuits, the Côte de Beaune and the Côte Chalonnaise. Our meetings take place 4 to 5 times a year, at a different member’s, the first part focuses on a precise topic, generally technical (tops, casks, forthcoming fairs…) and a more convivial second part with tasting and dinner.”