"The first wine and beer makers were women, and women have by far a more delicate palate and sensual sensitivity than men," said Petrus owner and chief sommelier Guillermo García Commence at the start ofthe two-hour seminar and gourmet dinner. "Even though men took over the profession in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance periods, women still dominated the art of fine dining and wine appreciation well into the 18th centuryf García Commence noted that it was the Florentine princess Catherine de' Medid, who married King Henry II of France in 1533, who first made champagne a drink of distinction in the royal courts.

"Before Catherine de' Medica, the French court was very informaL The wine drunk on formal occasions was a hardy, red heavy in tannins and alcohol," García Commence said "But she preferred lighter, bubbly wines with a less tart flavor, so she insisted on champagne at all royal dinners."

García Commence said that as a rule, women prefer white and rosé wines to robust reds, and are often drawn to sweeter wines wimeflervescentqualities.

He also said that women notice more details and appredate more subde nuances than men, so they are found of complex wines with heady perfume bouquets and fruity scents.

As examples of feminine wines, García Commence presented a sampling of five diflerentvintages, indudingabubbly floral Hungarian Arney Cuvee, a fruity Catalán Esmeralda, a perfumed French Gewurztraminer and a sparkling Italian Fragolinowimadistinttrverysweetberryflavon

He also invited Nora Benavides of Casa Madero, Mexico's oldest winery, to introduce a very aromatic Gran Reserva Shiraz to the guests.

"Men who want to impress women should stick to these types of wine," García Commence said

Petrus offers monthly wine-tasting seminare with light accompanied dinners for a nominal fee, which varíes depending on the type of wines being presented.

The restaurant also offers monthly cultural seminare.

Petrus is located at Insurgentes Sur 1217 in Colonia Extremadura Insurgentes (tel: 5563-6340)

For more information about the wine-tastings, consult the restaurante webpage at www.petrus. com.mx.

BY THÉRÉSE MARGOLIS