FINE WINE DIVAS of Washington DC

Fine Wine Divas is an adventure in learning for women wine enthusiasts who wish to learn how to identify and express their own tastes and sensations in fine wine. Members learn about wines from different regions, the heritage of wineries and the philosophies of wine makers and we experience the communal joy that comes with uncorking a bottle and sharing a glass (or two) with others. We also focus on the fine art of pairing wine with food for entertaining in the home, for business entertaining in restaurants and for planning events. This education will enhance one’s travel to wine regions — to experience the landscape, history, culture, community and people who are integral to winemaking — for the pleasure of observing and experiencing the fine art of wine.

Fine Wine Divas discover that wine is more than a drink; its characteristics link it directly to memories, to locations around the world where grapes are grown and wine is made, and to the dining rooms, restaurants, bars, and gardens where we consume it.

A Gender Gap

Women are often neglected by the male-dominated wine industry and receive less attention from salespeople at wine shops and liquor stores. It has been found that men and women approach wine in very different ways. The collector profile is still predominantly male, but the high-end wine buyers–those who regularly spend more than $15 on a bottle of wine–are mostly women. Men tend to focus more on ratings, aging time, type of oak used, and other technical details, often to impress a woman or business colleagues. For women, it is about value, taste and pairing wines with food. These aspects are intrinsically tied in the world of women and wine.

Fine Wine Divas yearn to go beyond the bottle, to learn more about the land, the growers, the vines, and the makers who craft some truly extraordinary wines in various regions of the world. Ultimately the women who participate in Fine Wine Divas will align their palate with places and producers they might otherwise never have discovered, and whose wines they will want to buy and enjoy in years to come.

A History of Passion and Elegance

Winemaking is centuries old and those who have a passion for drinking wine seem to share a passion for excellence in life and style. Fine Wine Divas is our opportunity to increase our understanding and appreciation of the craftsmanship and heritage of winemaking, where we learn about wines?from vine to dining?in a fun, relaxed way.

Fine Wine Divas is membership based and funded by an annual fee. The key criterion for membership is a desire to gain in-depth knowledge about wine and to network with others who share this interest. Founder Sandra Taylor conducts educational wine tastings and also plans wine dinners with local experts. The aim is to teach women about wine while boosting self-confidence when making wine choices.

The art of the Vine

Fine Wine Divas will demystify the process of ordering and learning about wine. We go beyond the wines themselves and immerse ourselves in a lifestyle that has been refined over centuries, exploring the stories and flavors of selected regions with a variety of presentations, videos and articles.

Topics include:

• Grape varieties
• Understanding grape origin and geography
• Terroir and the land
• Grape growing, harvesting and sustainability
• Learning the history of wineries and winemakers
• Recognizing wine by genre
• Ordering wine
• Meaning of bottle shapes and sizes
• Reading wine labels
• Using wine tools
• Storage and organization of wines at home
• Serving wine
• Experiencing wine and food pairing
• Creating tabletop settings that accent the food and wine being served
• Meeting others who share a passion for wine
• Traveling domestically and abroad to visit wineries and gain firsthand knowledge

* Sandra Taylor , the Founder of Fine Wine Divas, is a graduate of the Wine MBA program at The Bordeaux School of Management in France. She has studied wine extensively for many years and completed the French Wine Scholars course in 2010. Sandra is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and the prestigious Magnum Club in Europe.