db apologises for unsuitable imagery

The drinks business apologises for the image featured in our first installment of the 50 most influential women in wine.

The initial picture which caused offence – a silhouette of a women posing provocatively beneath a wine glass – was unsuitable, and the image which replaced it (another silhouette) was little better.

Having read every single comment from our readers we can see why the picture caused offence.

Also, having gone through all the responses to the online article, we feel it’s important to point out a few facts about the team here and the motivation for the list.

Firstly, we would like to note that the list was inspired by an urge to draw the trade’s attention to the increasingly powerful role played by women in the wine industry, be that in wine journalism, promotion or production.

Secondly, it is not the first power list we have run. Indeed, as explained at the outset of December’s issue of the drinks business (which includes the full 50), the feature follows former lists.

Indeed, as noted, last year’s list contained the most powerful personalities in the luxury drinks sector, and, highlighting the limited presence of women at this senior level, we added that just seven women featured – one of whom, Dominique Hériard Dubreuil, has now stepped down as chairman of Rémy Cointreau.

Finally, there were suggestions that the db team is comprised mostly of men. By accident – not design – the editorial team is split 50:50 along gender lines; we are a full-time team of six, which includes myself, Rupert and Andy, along with Gabby, Lucy and Becky.

We welcome any more comments concerning our inaugural power list on women in wine – we expect readers to challenge our selection and the order they have been placed.

However, we hope our readers accept our apology for the unsuitable imagery used in our introductory piece online.

We also hope they appreciate our motivation for compiling the list, which is to highlight the powerful role played by women in the wine trade.