Five great wines made by women to mark International Women’s Day

It’s International Women’s Day on March 8 so we thought we’d raise a glass to the women winemakers of France. Here are five wines made by women that we think you’ll love as much as we do

ORMARINE CONCHYLIA PICPOUL DE PINET 2019

Conchylia is made by winemakers Marie Lefebvre  and Virginie Berthuit, who is in her 15th vintage with Ormarine, a leading producer of Picpoul de Pinet. It is an elegant white with bags of style, full of white flowers, passion fruit and a mouth-watering citrus zing. It also has a subtle hint of salt from the gentle sea breezes of the nearby Étang de Thau, a vast saltwater lagoon beside the Mediterranean in the Languedoc. Served chilled, it is delicious with seafood such as grilled seabass or sushi.

Available from M&S, RRP £9

2019 JAMELLES VIOGNIER

Winemaker Cathérine Delaunay co-founded Badet Clément, which now sells an impressive 16 million bottles of wine a year around the world, with her husband Laurent in 1995. She is responsible for Les Jamelles, the company’s enduringly popular flagship brand. This Pays d’Oc wine is made from 100% Viognier grapes, sourced from several terroirs, the main ones being the Thau lagoon basin and the dry marsh of Marseillette, both in the Languedoc. Les Jamelles Viognier is a well-balanced, rich but fresh wine, full of the aromas characteristic of the grape − white peach, apricot, Williams pear, melon, acacia flowers, lilies and just a hint of bananas.  Enjoy it with white fish such as sole or spicy Thai dishes.

Available from the Co-op, RRP £7.50

CLAVEL ‘SYRIUS’ CÔTES DU RHONE VILLAGES SAINT-GERVAIS 2017

Claire Clavel has an astonishing pedigree − her family has been making wine since 1640. A member of Femmes Vignes Rhône, Claire, who runs the 80ha Domaine Clavel, believes strongly in the influence of the moon on the vines and in sustainable agriculture and is a member of Terra Vitis. Syrius is made from 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah grown in vineyards around the village of Saint-Gervais in the southern Rhône valley. Planted on red clay sandstone and limestone soil on a 200m-high plateau, the grapes are full of both intense aromas and freshness thanks to the cooling Mistral wind. Bursting with juicy black fruits and sweet spices, the wine is full-bodied and silky and works wonderfully with game pie or lamb shanks.

Available from Ake + Humphris, RRP £10.99

CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT, THOLOMIES, LA BAUME NV

What better way to toast International Women’s Day than with bubbles? This crémant is made by Marie Toussaint, who makes wines for Les Grands Chais de France in the Langugedoc-Roussillon. Made from 90% Chardonnay 10% Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc grapes, all hand-picked, this crémant from the Limoux appellation is made using the traditional method, the same as for Champagne, and is aged for at least 15 months in bottle. The colour is that of pale mimosa, with fine bubbles and flavours of lemon sherbet and passion fruit, with a subtle background of melba toast. Delicate and joyful, it’s a welcome change from Champagne and Prosecco and we guarantee every sip of this Crémant de Limoux Brut will make your heart sparkle!

Available from Oxford Wine Company, RRP £11.99

CHÂTEAU DES JAUME CRU MAURY SEC 2016

Also made by Marie Toussaint, this wine comes from the Maury appellation in the Roussillon region of southern France. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Carignan grapes grown on black schist and slate soils, this smooth, full-bodied red is full of red berry flavours with a delightful hint of vanilla. It is velvety smooth, with elegant tannins and a long finish. It’s hard to find wines that will work well with chocolate desserts but this one would does just that. It also pairs equally well with blue cheeses if you prefer a more savoury end to dinner.

Available from Connolly’s, RRP £14.95