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Women in Wine Series Kick-Off |
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Friday, 26 October 2007 |
Reported by Marie Hélène Zahles
 Some 30 women gathered on October 26 at a loft on Sussex Drive, an extension of Jason Duval’s Sussex Gallery, for the launch of the first part of the new Women in Wine series, the brainchild of two creative Guild members, Cynthia Mar and Rutha Astravas. Cynthia and Rutha hosted the event and, after giving the guests a chance to mingle, taste some of the wines (a sweet sparkling wine, a white Burgundy, three reds and a dessert wine, all from Vintages) and hors-d’oeuvres, and admire the amazing collection of paintings on display, they introduced the guest speaker, Janet Dorozynski. Janet is the Canadian Wine Promotion Coordinator and Trade Commissioner at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
Janet spoke candidly about the route that took her, almost by chance, from attending tastings at a neighbourhood wine store in Brussels (to take a break from a doctoral dissertation she was completing there), to becoming the Canadian Government’s top expert in the wine trade. Her primary responsibilities are to educate Canadian diplomats about Canadian wine, to manage a program that consolidates shipments of wine from some 70 Canadian wineries to our embassies and consulates around the world, and to develop marketing strategies with producers. She is also a certified wine educator, a wine reviewer and writer, and a judge at a number of wine competitions.
The only predisposition Janet had for becoming a wine expert was a good nose: she was able from a very early age to discern and memorize a wide variety of scents. This trait is found more often in women than in men, which may be the reason women are becoming increasingly present and successful in the wine industry. After her initial exposure to fine wines in Brussels, a job in the tourism industry in South Africa triggered Janet’s attraction to the vineyards and the making of wine. She then decided to turn her passion into a career. Over the next few years, she furthered her studies, returned to Canada and worked for the Canadian Vintners Association until the government created the position for
which she was the successful candidate.
 Janet spoke about her efforts to promote Canadian wines abroad and about the great potential for increasing the export of Canadian icewine, which is becoming our trademark. Canada already produces more icewine than Germany and Austria combined and the demand continues to grow. Asian markets are particularly active but unfortunately they suffer from competition with counterfeiters, particularly in China.
A round of applause, and a flurry of questions, followed Janet’s address. Our two Guild hosts could not have found a more interesting speaker to kick start the Women in Wine series.
Wine List:
- Louis Jadot Chardonnay, 2005, Burgundy, France, 1500ml $ 39.95 (LCBO # 47456)
- Perrin Réserve, Côtes du Rhône, France, $ 14.95 (LCBO # 363457)
- Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel, California, $ 19.95 (LCBO # 359257)
- Spinelli Tatone Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2003, Abruzzo, Italy, $ 15.95 (LCBO # 994616)
- Christina Ascheri Moscato d’Asti, 2006, Piedmont, Italy, $ 16.95 (LCBO # 746479)
- Etchart ‘Cosecha Tardia’ Torrontes, Cafayate, Argentina, 375ml $ 11.95 (LCBO # 1446)
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 09 December 2007 )
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The National Capital Sommelier Guild strongly supports moderate and responsible consumption of wine and spirits. Guild dinner events allow a designated driver to attend at a reduced price. The designated driver will not be served alcohol. Guild tasting events provide and encourage the use of spit buckets.