The data comes from a survey carried out earlier this year by Perspectiva Consultora, with the support of Amfori, Bodegas de Argentina and Wines of Argentina, in what was the second gender perspective study in the world of oenology.
This is the report entitled “Gender perspective in the wine sector” which included the participation of 58 wineries from Mendoza, Salta, Córdoba, San Juan, La Rioja, Buenos Aires, Tucumán and Neuquén. The objective of the work was to reflect on the working reality of women and men who work in different areas of the wine industry.
Winemaker’s Day: women at the forefront
On a special day, Scope spoke with two leading female winemakers who shared their feelings and experiences over the years. Although a strong male imprint is attributed to the winery, cultural changes and the breaking of stereotypes have allowed the female seal to be left in the best wines of the country.
Susana Balbo She is an institution in every sense of the word: she is the first female winemaker in Argentina, a milestone in the history of the industry. In 1999, after 30 years of experience in the national and international wine industry, she fulfilled her dream of having her own winery and creating wines with her own seal.
“Make a great came “It is both ‘science’ and ‘art’: the artistic, creative part involves having all the elements, all the components, like creating the colour palette to be able to make the great painting. It is taking those colours that you have been putting together with science, imagining them from the vineyard, deciding on the technology you are going to use – barrels, cement eggs, amphorae, etc. – to give them life and innovating” he describes about the process of creating wines.
In dialogue with this medium, Balbo He emphasizes that art is needed “so that these products are reinvented every year, supported by science, but with that art that allows you to innovate, to change.” To do this, he explains, it is essential “be curious”which will allow us to “find new capabilities, new possibilities of doing things and exploring limits, leaving our comfort zone.”
Of course, her beginnings were not easy, in an atmosphere where the male majority dominated the national wine scene. “Women have shown that We have a talent and a vocation for making quality wines and with a balance that is sometimes distinguished from that of men. It is as if our feminine personality is also demonstrated in the style of the wines and this is a very important change because today it is in line with what consumers are looking for” she points out. Balbo.
Her journey into the exciting world of oenology began in 1981. “At that time it was very difficult for a woman to work in the wine industry and, above all, to earn the respect of her colleagues. It took talent, cunning and not giving in or feeling inhibited by criticism or judgement. You had to be very self-confident and defend the decisions you made with professionalism and technical arguments,” the oenologist recalled.
For Balbothere are a series of distinctive characteristics that the feminine seal brings to oenology. “Women have an ‘innate gift’ when it comes to making wines because we have a greater sensitivity in our palate, therefore, we often look for wines that are a little more elegant, with more harmony because our genetics since time immemorial come with the information of the selection of food to see if what we chose could be poison or not for our offspring” she indicated.
“Today, all of that has been simplified. Women have shown that we have a very good capacity to create wines and, fundamentally, that we have a very holistic vision of what winemaking is. In addition, the wines we produce have styles and complexities that are completely different from wines made by men,” she stressed. Balbo. And she concluded: “The inclusion of women in the wine industry is very important. However, of course, we must continue working.
Women’s revolution in the world of wine
Another reference is Alejandra Riofriowinery oenologist Navarro Correas. He took over the reins in 2019 and has been working methodically to achieve the best wines year after year.
“Creativity and knowledge together with technology play a fundamental role in the profession of the winemaker.. This allows us to create unique wines that follow a line, a style, that tell a story and speak of a place” he summarized. Riofrio in the conversation with Ámbito about the arduous task of the winemaker.
He detailed the conditions that are definitely needed to obtain a quality wine. The starting point is “know the cropthe characteristics that make it unique, such as the climate, cultural work, topography and microorganisms that develop there. In this way, it can be decided and developed to achieve high-quality grapes,” he explained.
alejandra riofrio navarro corres wines enologist.jpeg
“The second decision is the winemaking method usedthe microorganisms that will interfere and finally how the aging of the wine will be carried out. Lastly, and the best part of the whole process is making the blend itself. You enjoy not only the individual result of each component but also the game of combining all those aromas, flavors and sensations” the winemaker added.
“In this combination, each component enhances the rest in a perfect combination to be enjoyed for many years, or as long as the bottle lasts,” he said. Riofrio.
On the day of the winemaker he recalled his beginnings and how he entered the world of oenology. “It is gratifying to know that we can all enjoy this beautiful experience that the world of oenology offers. There are more and more young people who contribute their creativity and passion. This encourages a more inclusive and collaborative work environment” he stressed Riofrio.
The winemaker recalled how she got started: “I started working in the industry when I was very young. From the age of 16, I knew that this was my role in the world.”
On this special day, Riofrio She shared her feelings about working in high-level oenology: “After so many years, I am immensely happy, grateful and proud of the path I have taken, but even more so of the work teams I have been part of,” she concluded.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
