Past Issues:
Drinks with Les Dames, oct/nov 2007 --
Inspiring Women
Wine Skinny Managing Editor Robyn Tinsley
is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an
international organization of women in the
food, beverage and hospitality professions.
Les Dames (or LDEI)
is a great community-based group that offers
a supportive network to its members and
participates in local educational and philanthropic
efforts like the LDEI
Civic Agriculture & Garden Initiative.
These are also some women who can really
get into a wine tasting, if you know what
we mean! Each issue, we'll bring
you the results of a Drinks with Les Dames
tasting -- what they liked, what they didn't,
food pairing ideas, and more.
Meridian
Vineyards and the WNBA
teamed up recently to sponsor a series of
luncheons called Inspiring Women, and I
was fortunate enough to attend the Houston
installment, along with a few other local
Les Dames members.
Held at the newly opened Hotel
ZaZa, the luncheon was a great example
of what a "women's group" can
be - an impressive gathering of inspirational,
powerful, supportive women celebrating what
can be accomplished when we pull together.
Meridian Vineyards winemaker Lee Miyamura
kicked off the luncheon - introducing herself
and giving a brief overview of Meridian
and the wines that accompanied the luncheon.
Then she introduced WNBA Houston Comets
star Sheryl Swoopes who presented a
short video on the extraordinary women of
the WNBA and then introduced the luncheon's
honoree - Sandra
Yancey.
As the creator of eWomenNetwork,
Yancey and the eWomenNetwork Foundation
award funds to support the financial and
emotional health of women and children in
need. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation
has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars
in cash grants, in-kind donations and support
to women's nonprofit organizations and emerging
female leaders of tomorrow between the ages
of 20-29.
Yancey was charming, funny and inspirational
- clearly an accomplished speaker, but not
so polished that she seemed phony or distant.
She gave a great reading of The Little
Engine that Could from a decidedly new,
and female, perspective that I doubt anyone
will forget. And her emotional retelling
of her role in mobilizing much needed resources
for the girl's high school basketball team
of Pass Christian, Mississippi in the wake
of Hurricane Katrina touched us all.
The lunch itself was fun, with lots of
getting to know you chitchat and funny stories.
(And the lettuce in the salad was provided
by one of the Houston Dames' produce company,
which was a fun touch.)
Meridian is one of those prolific California
wineries that specializes in affordable,
everyday wines. And occasionally, they outdo
themselves with one that stands above the
rest, like the 2004 Merlot that we really
enjoyed earlier this year:
($10). A surprise tasting
favorite, with delicious red plum and berry
flavors accented with spicy vanilla, a touch
of smooth chocolate and toasty oak. Stays
focused through the medium-bodied finish.
Ready to drink now. (Richard's Picks 02/07)
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