Summary

Pop open a bottle of champagne made by a woman, sit back, relax, and listen to the stories about some of these inspirational women. Here are a few you will learn about during the live or recorded webinar:

• Mesdames de Parabère and de Pompadour, the “Favorites” during the 18th century who celebrated life and love with effervescence!
• Mesdames Clicquot, Pommery, Laurent-Perrier, Henriot during the 19th century who initiated technical innovations while navigating the Napoleonic and Franco-Prussian Wars.
• Mesdames Krug, Olry-Roederer, Bollinger and de Nonancourt who managed their Houses while bombs literally fell on their heads or Nazis pillaged their cellars during WWI and WWII.
• The fabulous female growers and owners behind La Transmission and Fa’bulleuses who have joined forces to transmit knowledge and support each other.

If you need help finding a bottle made by a woman, check out the names on this list of female professionals in the champagne industry: https://www.delectabulles.com/en/blog/list-of-champagne-houses-with-women-at-the-helm

About the Speaker

Cynthia Coutu is Canadian, perfectly bilingual, and has been living in Paris for over 30 years. In Canada she studied Biology, then obtained a B.A. in Fine Arts (Photography). She came to France to do a Masters in Art History at the Sorbonne. Her love of wine and cheese kept her in France. After working at the Canadian Embassy in France and the OECD for 20 years managing their digital communications, she hung up her international civil servant hat and pursued her passion. She studied wine at L’Académie du Vin and L’École du Vin, and is certified WSpirits Education Trust Level 3 with Merit. She then specialised in champagne - the king of wine and the wine of kings! In 2018 Cynthia founded Delectabulles, a champagne networking club for women, which has since evolved into mostly a wine tourism business. She hosts champagne workshops in Paris, judges wine contests, and loves taking people to visit her favourite producers in Champagne. What makes her different is that she only uses champagnes made by women, and only takes guests to visit champagne houses where women play an important role. It is her small way of supporting women in the male-dominated wine industry. She has been mentioned in Le Monde, New York Times and Paris Match and interviewed for a very long list of podcasts, documentaries, blogs. She was also voted "Best Wine Tasting in Paris" by Expatriates Magazine, “Best Wine Experience in Paris” by Travel and Hospitality Awards, "Wine Expert of the Year” by Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards, and Top 50 Wine Experiences in the World by The Wine Magazine. She is currently researching the role of women in the history of Champagne for a book project. The working title of the book is “Bubbly Badasses: Women in the History of Champagne”.

Timestamps:

Introduction to the Webinar (00:00)
Host welcomes attendees and introduces Cynthia Coutu, highlighting her background and expertise in champagne.

Cynthia's Background (00:42)
Cynthia shares her journey as a Canadian living in Paris and founding Delectable, a women-focused networking club.

Joan of Arc's Influence (02:37)
Discussion on Joan of Arc's historical significance in Champagne and her role during the Hundred Years' War.

Joan of Arc's Legacy (04:21)
Cynthia explains Joan of Arc's capture and her veneration in Champagne, including annual celebrations in her honour.

18th Century Courtesans (06:34)
Introduction to courtesans as influential figures in the 18th-century Champagne scene, with a focus on their societal roles.

Champagne's Role in Seduction (08:39)
Exploration of how champagne was associated with seduction and social gatherings in 18th-century France.

Madame de Pompadour (11:31)
Highlighting Madame de Pompadour's influence as a favourite of Louis XV and her contributions to champagne culture.

Champagne Production Challenges (15:41)
Discussion on the challenges of champagne production in the 18th century, including fermentation issues and bottle quality.

19th Century Industrialization (17:16)
Overview of the growth of champagne houses and the impact of the Napoleonic Wars on the industry.

Women's Roles in Business (19:53)
Cynthia explains the limited rights of women in the 19th century and how widows navigated business ownership.

Madame Clicquot's Innovations (20:08)
Focus on Madame Clicquot’s pioneering contributions to champagne production, including the invention of the riddling table.

Champagne Blending Techniques (22:40)
Discussion on Madame Clicquot's method for making pink champagne by blending white and red wines.

Targeting the English Market (24:14)
Cynthia highlights Madame Pommery's strategy to create dry champagne for the English palate, transforming the market.

The Rise of Champagne Production (25:20)
Cynthia discusses a woman's significant contributions to champagne production and her innovative use of chalk quarries.

Managing Challenges During War (27:00)
Cynthia highlights another widow's resilience during the Franco-Prussian War and her unique business background.

Innovations in Champagne (30:26)
The impact of women on champagne innovations, including the creation of dry champagne and blended rosé.

Women and World War One (31:42)
She describes the riots and resilience. How women managed champagne production amidst the devastation of World War One.

Jean Cook's Leadership (33:34)
Cynthia shares Jean Cook's remarkable efforts in managing her champagne house during wartime challenges.

Post-War Challenges and Innovations (35:31)
Discussion of women's struggles with market losses and the impact of World War Two on champagne houses.

Lily Bollinger's Innovations (37:15)
Cynthia highlights Lily's contributions to champagne branding and production during and after World War Two.

Odette's Resistance Efforts (38:59)
The story of Odette, a courier for the resistance, and her connection with Winston Churchill.

Yolande Coleman's Legacy (40:00)
Cynthia reveals Yolande's role in rebuilding Piper and her influence in Hollywood partnerships.

Women in Champagne Today (41:01)
Overview of the evolving role of women in the champagne industry from the 20th to the 21st century.

Current Statistics on Women in Champagne (42:14)
Cynthia discusses recent statistics showing increased ownership and leadership roles for women in champagne.

Support Networks for Women (43:26)
Cynthia mentions resources and associations supporting women in the champagne industry.

Recommended Reading on Champagne History (45:10)
Cynthia recommends books that explore the subject further.

Key Contributions of Women (45:49)
Cynthia summarises the evolving role of women in the champagne industry across centuries.