Jen Lordan, beverage director at Dovetail.Photo: Melissa Hom
Two of this season’s most anticipated restaurants — the three-star
Dovetail and Ed Brown’s
Eighty One — launched with female sommeliers. Former
Daniel sommelier and wineshop owner Jean Luc Le Dû recently remarked to Grub Street that only a few years ago, non-white males in the role were considered an anomaly. Today, only three women (and 21 men) in the United States have the coveted “Master of Wine” designation, awarded to 264 sommeliers throughout the world. But in New York, women helm some of the city’s most respected wine programs, including
Gramercy Tavern, the
Modern, and the entire B.R. Guest group. We interviewed several of these ladies of the cellar for their ideas on the industry, their experiences on the floor, and picks on retail value bottles. Look for them at restaurants near you. —
Alexandra Vallis
