Women have always played a significant role in shaping society as we know it. Working together and side-by-side with their male counterparts, women have helped pave the way for a better future for people of all identities and demographics &mdash; though, as history would have it, more often than not, their tireless efforts go unrecognized.&nbsp;

However, that is changing. Across all industries, women are breaking barriers, pushing the boundaries, and showing people worldwide all they can achieve. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of wine.&nbsp;

The wine industry has been slow to change, but that hasn&rsquo;t stopped women from entering the fold anyway. Though the percentage of women in executive roles remains relatively low, there&rsquo;s no denying that the number of women working in wine has steadily increased. A <a href="https://webpages.scu.edu/womenwinemakers/20112020progress.php">2020 study</a> by Santa Clara University found that the number of lead women winemakers in California increased from 10 percent in 2011 to 14 percent in 2020. Total figures for women in wine internationally are harder to come by. Still, there are some indications that progression is occurring globally. For instance, <a href="https://www.winemag.com/2021/02/16/rias-baixas-home-to-real-albarino/">50 percent</a> of winemakers in Spain are women, while in Italy, women run more than <a href="https://www.winemag.com/2019/03/20/women-winemakers-brunello-italy/">25 percent</a> of wineries.&nbsp;

Now it&rsquo;s become common to find bottles made by women or wines owned by women on retail shelves, and there are plenty of women-made wines to choose from online. With Women&rsquo;s History Month in full swing, there&rsquo;s no better time than now to enjoy a bottle of something delicious made or owned by a history-making woman.&nbsp;&nbsp;

See CorkRules&rsquo; list of top women-made and women-owned wines to try below.

<a href="https://shop.aslinawines.com/aslina-sauvignon-blanc-2021">Aslina Sauvignon Blanc 2021</a>

<a href="https://www.aslinawines.com/ntsiki-biyela/">Ntsiki Biyela</a> set out to become a winemaker at a crucial time in South Africa&rsquo;s history &mdash; just two years post-apartheid, when Black people were only beginning to be allowed to work in certain industries &mdash; like winemaking &mdash; long upheld by White South Africans. Not without facing much adversity, Biyela graduated with a winemaking degree from Stellenbosch University in 2003. She established Aslina Wines in 2016 and has since become one of South Africa&rsquo;s premier winemakers, receiving numerous awards for wines, including Biyela&rsquo;s bright and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Full of lemon zest and citrus character, the wine is complex and balanced with tropical fruit nuances and vibrant acidity noticeable through the long, mouthwatering finish.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.bodegasmontecillo.com/en/wine/montecillo-gran-reserva-copia/">Bodegas Montecillo Gran Reserva 2016</a>

The third winery to establish itself in Spain&rsquo;s Rioja region, Bodegas Montecillo has produced sought-after wines for more than 150 years. <a href="https://www.bodegasmontecillo.com/en/our-team/">Mercedes Garc&iacute;a Rup&eacute;rez</a> has only worked with the Bodega for the last 15 years but has successfully revamped Montecillo&rsquo;s look and production as the chief winemaker. Perhaps the most remarkable example of her work is in a bottle of Bodegas Montecillo&rsquo;s Gran Reserva that displays signature aromas and tastes, all while feeling updated and polished. Made with 92 percent Tempranillo and 8 percent Graciano, the ruby red wine features candied fruits, cinnamon, and nutmeg fragrances. The palate is clean with refined tannins and tingling acidity that extends well into the long finish.&nbsp;

<a href="https://camins2dreams.com/our-wines">Camins to Dream Spear Vineyards Syrah 2021</a>

<a href="https://camins2dreams.com/">Camins to Dream</a> is the lovechild winery of winemakers and wives Catalunya-born Mireia Tarib&oacute; and California native Tara Gomez. The pair launched the California winery in 2017, working with fruit from Santa Barbara&rsquo;s Sta. Rita Hills region. They produce wines with elegance, freshness, and depth. The couple&rsquo;s Spear Vineyard&rsquo;s Syrah stands out in their collection, displaying ample spicy and peppery aromas with a palate drenched with black fruit, earthy nuances, silky tannins, and a long-lasting finish.

<a href="https://www.lafite.com/en/chateau-lafite-rothschild/the-wines/chateau-lafite-rothschild/">Ch&acirc;teau Lafite Rothschild Premier Grand Cru Class&eacute; Pauillac 2018</a>

Sixth-generation family member <a href="https://www.lafite.com/en/the-lafite-spirit/a-tradition-of-excellence/">Saskia de Rothschild</a> is the first woman (and youngest person) to chair and lead Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite as CEO. The winery was the first ch&acirc;teau acquired by the Rothschild family in 1868. Saskia de Rothschild succeeded her father, Baron Eric de Rothschild, in 2018 and has only amplified the Domaines&rsquo; penchant for precision in winemaking in Bordeaux and beyond. Ch&acirc;teau Lafite Rothschild Premier Grand Cru Class&eacute; is just one example of excellence in the bottle. Produced with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot, the dark reddish-purple wine displays plenty of depth in the aroma and palate. Black and red fruit shine while undertones of cedar shine through mid-palate. Ever complex, the wine is well-integrated with fine tannins, fruit and spice, acid and oak, resulting in an elegant, long-lasting, fresh finish.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.dallavallevineyards.com/wines/">Dalla Valle Vineyards &ldquo;Collina Dalla Valle&rdquo; Red Blend 2019</a>

Japan native Naoko Dalla Valle and her late husband Gustav Dalla Valle established their <a href="https://www.dallavallevineyards.com/">winery</a> in the heart of Napa Valley in 1986. The iconic winery has remained family-owned and operated. Following Gustav&rsquo;s death in the mid-1990s, Naoko Dalla Valle oversaw production and helped bring Dalla Valle the critical acclaim it&rsquo;s known for today. In 2017, Naoko Dalla Valle&rsquo;s daughter Maya Dalla Valla joined the winemaking team and was appointed the estate&rsquo;s head winemaker in 2021. The intro wine to the Dalla Valle portfolio is a harmonious blend of 50 percent Cabernet Franc, 40 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10 percent Petit Verdot. The wine is fragrant with spice, chocolate, and strawberry compote notes, while the palate is balanced with rich, dark fruit and savory nuances. The finish lingers with silky tannins.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.donnafugata.it/usa/en/product/sul-vulcano-etna-rosso-doc/2019/">Donnafugata &ldquo;Sul Vulcano&rdquo; Etna Rosso Doc 2019</a>

The Rallo family has practiced winemaking in the heart of Italy&rsquo;s southern island Sicily for five generations. In the early 1990s, Jos&eacute; Rallo, the daughter of <a href="https://www.donnafugata.it/us">Donnafugata&rsquo;s</a> founder, joined the family winemaker and has since become the company&rsquo;s CEO. The winery&rsquo;s medium-bodied and fresh &ldquo;Sul Vulcano&rdquo; is made predominantly with Italy&rsquo;s indigenous grape Nerello Mascalese, though a small amount of Nerello Cappuccio is added to the final blend. Silky, with elegant aromas of raspberries and cherries, the palate is soaked with fruity freshness and a hint of spicy mint, while soft tannins provide structure.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.patowouters.com/en/vinhos/info/our-expression-of-the-region_26/">Filipa Pato &amp; Williams Wouters D.N.M.C. Bical &amp; Arinto 2021</a>

Winemaker <a href="http://www.patowouters.com/en/sobre/">Filipa Pato</a> is at the forefront of wine production for this Portuguese winery, which was launched in 2001. However, she co-owns the project with her husband, sommelier and restaurateur William Wouters. Pato makes wines from grapes grown across the Bairrada appellation of Portugal. This particular bottle is made with a blend of Portuguese native grapes Bical and Arinto. The straw-yellow wine displays fleshy pear and apple aromas with a hint of crushed herbs, while the palate is creamy and smooth with fruit-driven flavors and a depth of minerality. The finish lingers with fresh acidity.

<a href="https://merryedwards.com/product/SV-30020-28">Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2020</a>

<a href="https://merryedwards.com/">Merry Edwards Wines</a>, a trailblazer in the U.S. wine industry, embodies the essence of progress regarding women in wine. Not only is the company founded by a woman, but women run the whole show, from winemaking to business. Winemaker Merry Edwards started dipping into winemaking in the 1970s with her Merry Vitners label. She went on to work at various prestigious wine estates throughout California before launching her namesake winery in 1997. Though Edwards retired in 2020, she appointed Sonoma native Heidi Von Der Mehden as her successor, while Nicole Carter serves as the winery&rsquo;s president. This highly acclaimed Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley is smooth and ripe with red berry flavors that become juicer and silkier on the palate.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Women have always played a significant role in shaping society as we know it. Working together and side-by-side with their male counterparts, women have helped pave the way for a better future for people of all identities and demographics — though, as history would have it, more often than not, their tireless efforts go unrecognized.

Celebrate Women Winemakers During Women’s History Month

1803 is a Cajun restaurant that brings a little of New Orleans’ eclectic culture to the streets of New York. It’s a sexy, sultry space with a penchant for Deep South decadence and jazz. For a memorable culinary experience, this is the place to bring a date.

Pairing Wine with Cajun Food at 1803

Drops of God, the popular manga series by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto, has been adapted into a television series by AppleTV and has some buzz in the wine world. The AppleTV series tells a story about a competition between Camille's (Fleur Geffrier) estranged daughter and Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita), the protégé after the death of Camille's father, a famous wine collector, to win his world-renowned wine collection valued at $100M+.

Drops of God: The AppleTV Series That Could Save the Wine Industry

Certified sommelier and CorkRules’ resident Somm, Michaela Quinlan shares her expertise on the wine list of il Buco. il Buco’s wine cellar holds a selection of over 400 wines and includes an exciting range of lesser-known, artisan wines from Europe. This restaurant has been called "one of the best and most exciting in America" by Gourmet magazine and the wine list has won Wine Spectator’s "Award of Excellence" several times.

Artisan Wines at Il Buco

Orange wine is made from white grapes, but the skin stays in contact with the juice longer during the maceration period, which increases the tannins and turns the normally white wine a more golden hue. The longer the contact,  the darker the hue, which increases the tannins and a stronger intensity. Pinot gris and malvasia are two common grape varieties used to make orange wine, but if you dig a little deeper, explore a little further, you can find some delightful orange wines along the border between northeastern Italy and Slovenia where orange wines are madefrom indigenous grapes on the region, including sauvignon vert (friulano), ribolla gialla, and pinot grigio.

Pairing Orange Wines at Pasquale Jones

The Lobster Club in the Seagram Building, New York City is a Japanese Brasserie that is renowned for its unique interpretation of Japanese cooking and Sushi, and what’s even more exciting is that it has an extensive wine list.

Fine Wines at The Lobster Club

Unless you are born into a vineyard, grow up in wine country, a career in wine is not a go-to profession for most graduates. But for some people, their love of wine and career path are intertwined. This is how it was for Jane Lopes, sommelier, co-founder of Legend Imports, and author of Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles.

Stories of Wine & Life with Jane Lopes, Sommelier, Author and Co-Founder of Legend Imports

CorkRules has been presented with the BMMA ‘Best New Mobile App” Platinum award, the highest award achievement in category.

CorkRules Wins the 2023 BMMA Platinum Award for "Best New Mobile App"

Pairing wine with Asian food is a common dilemma. Just what should you order with the Spicy Yellowtail Yu Sheng or the Mongolian Lamb Chops? How do we make palatable choices that cross cultures and bring out the best in each location’s use of herbs and spices?

Pairing Wine with Asian Food at Buddakan

With the exception of sommeliers and vintners, for most of us who love wine, no matter how many bottles you drink in your lifetime, and no matter how delicious, you rarely think of the terroir, the grape, or the growing process as you drink it.

Chris Phelps on Wine and Life

Giada - The Cromwell Las Vegas

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas visit Giada’s Restaurant.

Wine List Review of Giada's Restaurant, Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Giada’s Restaurant

Giada Las Vegas&nbsp;

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Beverage.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Beverage.pdf</a>

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Dinner.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Dinner.pdf</a>

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Brunch.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Brunch.pdf</a>

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Tasting.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Tasting.pdf</a>

Robert Tas (RT): Hello and welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that&rsquo;s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists so you can learn to order wine with confidence.

I&rsquo;m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert we are talking about a famous food network star&rsquo;s restaurant in Las Vegas

RT: That&rsquo;s right Maria, and it&rsquo;s not Gordon Ramsey. oh no, SHE is much easier on the eyes, we are talking about Giada DeLaurentis and her namesake Restaurant in The Cromwell Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada.

This is Giada&rsquo;s first foray into the restaurant Biz, and she could not have picked a better city for her experiential concept. You know you have made it BIG-TIME when you have your very own restaurant IN Sin City. But the only things sinful here are the insanely delicious dishes from this award-winning celebrity chef.&nbsp; You can expect all her Italian favorites elevated with fresh California flavors served in an upscale setting. The bright and airy semi-circle dining room has some of the best views of the Las Vegas Strip. Add to that, a wine list that has garnered the Wine Spectator&rsquo;s&rdquo; 2019 Best of, Award of Excellence, and you have a real winning combination.

RT: Maria, I know you have dined here, so does the wine list complement the food?

MV: Robert it sure does, I love how the wines by the glass are separated into flavor profile categories, with descriptors such as sweet wines, medium to bold reds, and fruit-forward reds, helping the customer choose more easily. I also love that by the bottle list uses a leafy symbol to denote organic wines which truly is the most sustainable way forward in our wine industry. Plus, it is a well-balanced list covering most of the major wine-producing countries, which is great to see because when I dined here, I thought it was only going to have Italian wines on the list! SO this was a fantastic surprise and maybe even the way to go here given the California influence.

Robert: I&rsquo;m so jealous you have dined at Giada&rsquo;s restaurant, my wife and I adore her, and love watching her on TV, so which wine did you start with?

MV: I started with a glass of the Sparkling Schramsberg Vineyards, Blanc de Blancs , Sonoma, California 2018&nbsp; The term Blanc de blanc on a sparkling wine or champagne literally translates to &ldquo;white of whites&rdquo; and this means that the wine is made with 100% chardonnay grapes (all white grapes)

RT: That&rsquo;s a great tip, Maria because I have quite a few friends that say they don&rsquo;t like chardonnay, but they love champagne, so I found it surprising to know that most champagne and a lot of champagne-method sparkling wine is made with 1/3 chardonnay or in this case all chardonnay grapes.

MV: even the &ldquo;anything but chardonnay&rdquo; lovers will love the green apple freshness mixed with roasted pineapple and toasted almonds that you get with this champagne style beauty from Schramsberg- I&rsquo;ve been a big fan of theirs for years - pair it with fresh raw seafood such as the oyster crudo or shellfish tower!

RT: Any Other wine BTG you recommend?

MV:&nbsp; I ordered my husband the Super Tuscan Dainero, Castiglion del Bosco 2013 b/c like you he, loves his reds. We visited this winery in Montalcino and this Tuscan blend is one of the more reasonable offerings from the estate formerly owned by the Ferragamo family. 50% merlot 50% Sangiovese -nice round richness full of fruit and spice- the Orecchiette Bolognese is the best pairing.

RT: Lovely, can you find us some quality wines that are reasonably priced? I know Vegas wine lists can be quite expensive so this is important for a lot of our listeners

MV: Honestly Robert, I am pleasantly surprised here with this list- I found the pricing to be far better than most Italian restaurants on the Vegas Strip a reason to visit alone. And, there are some really great finds that are worth a whirl.. or should I say worth a swirl!

RT: HAHA tell me about them:

To pair with that California influence in her dishes I ordered these 2 Cali wines:

Three Sticks, The James, Santa Rita Hills 2013 Pinot Noir 

Three sticks is a Sonoma based small family-owned winery committed to crafting artisanal wines and they produce wines from very notable vineyards, If you love well-made Pinot Noir, you&rsquo;ll love the Three Sticks wine - I am in love with all of their vineyard wines. This one is dusty cocoa, smashed berry pie, with a soft delicateness given it is 2013.

Now if you like a bolder wine, you will prefer the Herman Story, Nuts and Bolts, Paso Robles 2017 <s>$115 (</s>further S in Cali whete is get quite a bit warmer overall)

100 % Syrah -&nbsp; inky, fabulously fruit-forward with a hint of sweet-spiced, beef jerky on the nose This calls for meat &ndash; The petite filet with the blackberry-port reduction is going to be so perfect with the Herman Story!

MV: For under $125 these wines are both great finds.

RT: That&rsquo;s great, Maria, super helpful.&nbsp; Do you have something special you could recommend for us? A red and a white?

<s>MV:&nbsp;</s>I do, The Chateau Rauzan Segla 🌿 2005 a Great Bordeaux Blend, great vintage, 2005 was awesome, from Margaux so you get all the plumy red and black fruit but lots of floral notes, it&rsquo;s a lovely feminine Bordeaux if that makes sense. Right now, the complexity is really showing well and this wine is organic! Yay

If you want a special white to pair with Giada&rsquo;s favorite dish which is the Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp and mascarpone cheese, the&nbsp; GAJA, Vistamare, Toscana 2020&nbsp; is going to be so a memorable pairing&hellip; Vermentino/Viognier you have to be careful with seafood - too much oak and your shellfish will taste fishy, but here it is so well integrated because it&rsquo;s only partially oaked. This is from one of the great producers of Italy, <s>this </s>Very small production, a full-bodied white with lots of floral notes and a touch of refreshing salinity on the finish.

RT: Anything California worth dropping the dime on?

MV: You read my mind, Robert, I was just going to mention that they have 2 wines from Lokoya that are killer &ndash; Lokoya repeatedly receives 100-point reviews from various publications. I&#39;ve met their winemaker Chris Carpenter and he is wickedly smart but also an all-around great guy

Lokoya, Diamond Mountain , Napa Valley 2014 795 Blackberries and dark Red Bing cherries, a layer of rich dark chocolate weaved into the fine-grained silky tannins 
Lokoya, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley 2011 Powerful, blackberries and wild blueberries, intense tannin structure even with the age on it, and don&rsquo;t hesitate about this vintage while 2011 was difficult for some, Lokoya knocked it out of the park with this baby. We have vintages going back over 10 years of Lokoya in our cellar &ndash; it is a great investment if you are collecting wine.

RT: Maria, thank you for all your helpful wine tips and food pairing selections on today&rsquo;s episode on Giada&rsquo;s Restaurant in Las Vegas. Be sure to follow Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Thank you everyone for joining us here on CorkRules. Remember the only rule in wine is &ldquo;drink what you LOVE&rdquo;.

MV: Have a favorite wine list? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at <a href="mailto:info@corkrules.com">info@CorkRules.com</a> You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on CorkRules.com be sure to subscribe and like. And check out @CorkRules on Instagram for episode updates and upcoming giveaways. Must be 21 and older, please drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Meson

Dear Annie

Rossoblu

Lago

The American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network

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Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

Matchstick Restaurant & Spirits

Duckhorn

Napa Valley Chardonnay NV

California, USA

Smith & Hook

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Paso Robles, USA

Penfolds

Bin 389 Cabernet - Shiraz NV

South Australia, Australia

Veuve Clicquot

Yellow Label Brut NV

Champagne, France

Veuve Clicquot

Vintage Brut Champagne NV

Champagne, France

Emeritus Vineyards

Hallberg Ranch NV

Russian River Valley, USA

St. Supéry

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

California, USA

Figli Luigi Oddero 'Convento' NV

Barolo, Italy

Nicolas Potel Mcon-Villages, France, Burgundy, Mconnais, Mcon NV

Burgundy, France

Yalumba

Y Series Sauvignon Blanc NV

South Australia, Australia

Gérard Bertrand

Orange Gold NV

Vin de France, France

Marqués de Cáceres

Costanilla Tempranillo NV

Rioja, Spain

Smith & Hook

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Central Coast, USA

Zardetto

Prosecco Cavalier Brut Biologico, Veneto NV

Veneto, Italy

NV Zardetto Prosecco di Treviso Brut, Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di NV

Veneto, Italy