Following our article on a German beer for women, we were alerted to a Dutch wine for women. Sophie & Sophie is rosé wine sold in small bottles. Actually, it's not quite wine, but a wine 'refresher' made from wine (51%), dealcoholized wine (31%), and grape must (18%). Must is the juice of freshly pressed grapes, before it's fermented into wine.

Which leaves a drink that tastes like semi-dry wine, but only contains 5.5% alcohol, and half the amount of calories in real wine. Sophie & Sophie was created by Natural Wines, a wine merchant that specializes in natural products with a low alcohol percentage.

The company's founder discovered that his three twenty-something daughters were drinking nothing but Bacardi Breezers and hard liquor on their nights out, and decided that they needed an oenophile's alternative. He teamed up with an ad agency and they came up with Sophie & Sophie. The beverage is aimed at female consumers between 18-30 years old who'd like a change from sweet mixed drinks. The wine is sold in stylish little bottles, containing enough 'wine' for two glasses. Should go down well. In moderation, of course ;-)

Website: http://www.naturalwines.nl
Contact: info@naturalwines.nl

Austria's first bank for women was recently opened by Raiffeisen in the ski resort town of Gastein. The concept was developed in association with Emotion Banking, which conducted extensive studies about women and finances, and how they interact with banks. Emotion Banking came to the conclusion that women approach finances differently than men do, and that a dedicated bank for women would better serve Raiffeisen's female customers. The current set-up includes an inviting lounge-like interior, that includes a play area to keep children occupied. Female employees assist customers, taking extra time to explain products thoroughly, and to build a strong relationship with their customers.

The concept might be a first in Austria, but isn't altogether new on an international scale. From Citigroup's Women & Co, which we covered a few years ago, to the Royal Bank of Canada, many financial institutions are recognizing that women often have their own needs and goals when it comes to money and finances. And this segemented market is continuously evolving; according to a recent report by research firm Aite Group, "Highly-educated women leaving the U.S. workforce to raise children are creating a new, highly lucrative consumer segment for financial firms." The market, which the group dubbed 'Ivy League Moms', is sized at roughly USD 10 million U.S. households with investable assets of USD 6.5 trillion.

Leading the way are banks for women in Islamic countries. Microcredit providers like Grameen Bank have long placed special emphasis on providing loans to women. In Pakistan, First Women Bank was founded in 1989 and strives for the economic empowerment of women. Saudi Arabian women, although not allowed to vote or drive, have the right to control their own finances, and Saudi banks have been devoting extensive resources to 'ladies banking' over the past few years, with separate entrances, distinct product offerings and a staff consisting entirely of women.

Meanwhile, Bahrain announced...

New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez's comment that women "don't belong in the dugout" drew criticism Sunday from San Diego Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who supported the female member of his training staff and said he was surprised her gender even came up.

Hernandez made the remark during the second inning of New York's 8-1 victory in San Diego on Saturday night. Mike Piazza homered for the Padres and exchanged a high-five in the dugout with 33-year-old Kelly Calabrese, the Padres' massage therapist.