You’re surrounded by hundreds of wines, dozens of producers, and somehow expected to stay upright and insightful.  How do people do it?  Wine tastings are the heartbeat of the wine industry, whether you're a consumer eager to discover new bottles or a professional seeking to deepen your expertise. There’s no better way to understand what’s in the glass and how different regions and producers craft...

Some brands are iconic by name, others by reputation. Consumers in the United States know Chateau Montelena well because of the infamous Judgement of Paris tasting.    For anyone that hasn’t heard of this historic event, imagine the wine industry in 1976. Some call it a blind tasting competition, others simply think of it as a tasting. Either way you have iconic French wines, with...

It’s an early morning in January. My friend Na Shai is rushing around her home. Her hair is still wet and coiled, she only has one earring in, lukewarm tea in hand, searching for her car keys. Her phone vibrates as the microwave beeps in the distance. She walks into the kitchen, past a pile of mail and to-do lists, pausing just long enough to...

Brenae Royal has become a defining voice for Black women in the wine industry. Over the past several years, she has not only built a name for herself but also paved the way for others to follow. However, most importantly, she’s a part of the wonderful women in wine who are focused on giving back and bringing others into the fold.  When speaking with Royal,...

As winter continues on across the United States, wine lovers consistently start transitioning from crisp, cool white wines to bold, cozy reds. However, there are many white wines from regions around the world that deserve another look, even in the coldest of temperatures. These white wine regions produce wines with some of the structure, depth and mouthfeel drinkers expect from red wines. And if consumers...

As we wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that the month was not just for pink ribbons and donations to health organizations. In fact, when that happens, many are accused of “pinkwashing”, or using the month for marketing promotion instead of addressing the real issues. Breast cancer is a serious disease, impacting real humans and can change the course of their...

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to meet up with TJ Douglas, owner and founder of The Urban Grape, in their DC location. TJ, who owns the shop with his wife Hadley, is in DC often, though their company is headquartered in Boston.  The black owned wine shop is launching two new programs, where they will offer wines by-the-glass in the store....

Throughout the summer of 2024, the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, an organization focused on increasing the visibility and prominence of the Finger Lakes AVA, hit the road to share their wines and producers with professionals in the DC Area. I was fortunate to attend the tasting and loved the camaraderie of the producers. The wineries fit together as well as the food and wine pairings...

One of the best ways to ensure BIPOC wine entrepreneurs succeed in the wine industry is to show them what success looks like. And that’s just what happened at Oeno Camp. Oeno Camp is a three-day long immersive experience sponsored by The Veraison Project and Oenoverse. This year’s camp brought wine professionals to Virginia’s Monticello AVA for an experience we will never forget.  The Veraison...

Fans of Black wine culture know the name La Fête du Rosé or simply La Fête. Literally translated as “The Party,” this wine is made for every occasion that brings people together. The emcee of this party is Donae Burston, a Baltimore native who brought his rich culture to the south of France and is now inviting the world to join him. Donae Burston’s Journey:...

Jermaine Stone, aka the Wolf of Wine, is launching a brand new show, Street Somm, in partnership with Constellation Brands, streaming on Tastemade. In the show, Stone goes all across the country to learn and taste the foods of that area, then brings a wine that pairs well with them. Those who know Stone, know he’s going to be having a lot of fun along...

Malek Amrani’s story is anything but typical. There aren’t many people of color at all in wine, let alone immigrant-born winemakers. But for the Moroccan winemaker, typical is boring. Like the triathlons he runs, Malek is running at his own pace and focusing on his own goals. That led him to the United States, to Napa Valley and ultimately to his role as the newest...