On the grapevine

SAM WYLIE-HARRIS TOASTS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

WITH #ChooseToChallenge the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (March 8), we’re raising a glass to the women carving careers in the wine world – a field notoriously dominated by men.

As Debbie Lauritz, winemaker at Robert Oatley, one of Australia’s most outstanding wineries, puts it: “It’s critical to champion women across all levels and areas of the wine business - so young women leaving school and looking for careers in our field can see women in these jobs, thus removing any stigma of it being a male-dominated industry.”

And who wouldn’t drink to that?

■ A real star and multiple medalwinning wine Robert Oatley’s Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Margaret River, Australia (£15.99, Ocado), is wonderfully intense with brambly fruit, a discreet leafy note, fine, elegant structure and ripe tannins.

■ To mark IWD, LITTLEWINE has released a Celebrating Women Winemakers’ Box (£75, Littlewine), with £7 for every box sold donated to Refugee Women’s Association, “to help fund their vital work to empower and enable refugee, migrant and asylum-seeking women and their families with their journey to integration and a new life”. Inside there’s an Austrian white, Satellit 2018 White Field Blend made by Jutta Ambrositsch; a Spanish red, Quite 2018, Mencia by Veronica Ortega; and Ocarina 2019, a French, dark rose by Saskia Van Der Horst.

■ New Zealand’s most awarded winery turns out one of our best loved sauvignon blancs and senior winemaker Helen Morrison says their Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough, NZ (£9.50, Tesco) “Packs a punch and we are confident it will delight its loyal followers once again, with distinct tropical and grassy flavours paired with crisp and zingy acidity.”

■ Proving the princess of pop is also at the top of her wine game, there’s lots to love about Kylie Minogue Cotes de Provence Rose 2020, France (reduced to £15 from £20 until March 16, Morrisons). With enticing aromas of ripe berry fruits, watermelon and orange blossom, a graceful, silky palate of just-right, creamy fruit and refined minerally notes, it’s styled to charm.

■ Elsewhere, a wealth of winemaking talent can be found behind supermarket own-labels.

Delacourt Brut Champagne

(£20, Marks & Spencer stores), is made by cellar master Elisabeth Sarcelet who leads a largely female team of winemakers produces some fantastic champagnes – perfect for a toast to women in wine!