Changing the Wine Game One Taste at a Time
A decade ago, Stephanie Browne, a Boston information technology expert, didn’t know much about wine. But after a taste of something special piqued her curiosity, Browne and some of her friends decided to form a wine-tasting group. Each month they’d meet at one of their homes and taste different wines in a non-threatening, ladies-only environment.
They dubbed the group Divas Uncorked and dedicated themselves to approaching wine appreciation in a way that’s wine savvy, not snobby.
As Divas Uncorked enters its tenth year, member Karen Holmes Ward, a Boston television producer, says they’re proud of their efforts to help make wines from aglianico to zinfandel accessible to all people, but especially women and African Americans.
“I think our mission is still to try to encourage people to have fun when they’re learning about wine and not to think of it as a snobby hobby,” Ward says. “All of our events incorporate a feeling of being welcomed. We encourage people to ask questions … (and) to have fun with the wine experience.”
The sisters who sip have taken a comprehensive approach to getting more people of color to embrace wine. Starting at the beginning, the Divas’ web site offers a Wine 101 section with information on reading a wine label and starting a wine tasting group as well as descriptions of major wine varietals like merlot and chardonnay.
Speaking of chardonnay, the ladies have released two vintages of their own branded Divas Uncorked Chardonnay bottled by the Mendocino Wine Co. It’s available at Stop & Shop and Giant stores on the East Coast and Kroger’s in Ohio.
For the past three summers, the Divas have hosted a wine and food festival on Martha’s Vineyard that draws up to 700 people for seminars, tastings, lobster bakes and book signings.
They’ve hosted a series of wine dinners and have a Dueling Divas event with competing sommeliers creating wine pairings planned for November 20 at the Julia Child Test Kitchen at Boston University. A series of West Coast events is in the works.
Even with all their activities, the Divas are looking for new ways to influence the wine world. This year they partnered with the Epicurean Institute in Umbria, Italy to promote wine education in Italy. Their first wine study scholarship was awarded to Yanique Bradford, a young Nashville woman passionate about wine who came to one of the group’s tastings in Florida. They hope to help Bradford achieve her goal of becoming the first African American woman master sommelier, an advanced level of knowledge in wine and spirits service and tasting that only 171 people in the world possess.
“The Divas are truly a source of inspiration for me to reach my goals in the wine and spirits industry,” Bradford said via email. “There is so much more for women in this field than sales.”
With Thanksgiving approaching, Divas Uncorked member Barbara Cruz suggests some wines to set off your holiday meal:
Your Favorite Bubbly: “Served as an aperitif, it puts your guests in a celebratory mood.”
St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc: “The crisp grapefruit melon, grapefruit and orange fruitiness with some minerals really pairs nicely with side dishes.”
Argyle Willamette Valley 2007 Pinot Noir: “Pinot Noir is light in body, fragrant, fruity and has a lovely earthiness that will complement your stuffing and the spices in your side dishes.”