The Urban Grape, a black-owned wine shop based in Boston, opened a new location in DC’s Shaw neighborhood this January. The shop is owned by TJ and Hadley Douglas and boasts one of the largest selection of BIPOC-owned wines around. But the organization is doing more than just selling BIPOC-owned wines. They are making sure to get involved in the community that they support in...

The 4-week period from September 15-October 15 is U.S. Hispanic Heritage Month and honors the contributions of Hispanic-Americans to this country. It’s chosen during this timeframe because it encompasses many important dates, such as the Mexican Independence War, and independence anniversaries for Costa Rica, Honduras, Chile, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. The month also acknowledges the contributions of Hispanic-Americans in the wine industry. So much...

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” -African Proverb Most know Channing Frye as an NBA champion. After being drafted by the New York Knicks in 2005, he went on to play for six teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2016, while in Cleveland, he was a part of the...

“Check the back of the label” is a pro tip many wine professionals give for finding good wines you like. The label will often show a description of the wine, its alcohol content, and the name of the importer or distributor. Armed with this knowledge, you might The Three-Tier System Importers comprise the middle “tier” in alcohol’s “three-tier” system.They’re part of the second, or wholesaler, tier....

Stay up-to-date on the latest trends, and discovering new and exciting blends is essential along your wine journey. That's where Uncorked Wine Reviews comes in - we provide you with our top 5 fundamental approaches to making informed decisions about your next bottle to uncork. We will not only celebrate and promote women and minority winemakers but also dive into the wines themselves. Each wine...

Stay up-to-date on the latest trends, and discovering new and exciting blends is essential along your wine journey. That's where Uncorked Wine Reviews comes in - we provide you with our top 5 fundamental approaches to making informed decisions about your next bottle to uncork. We will not only celebrate and promote women and minority winemakers but also dive into the wines themselves. Each wine...

Along your wine journey, staying up-to-date on the latest trends and discovering new and exciting blends is essential. That's where Uncorked Wine Reviews comes in - we provide you with our top 5 fundamental approaches to making informed decisions about your next bottle to uncork. We will not only celebrate and promote women and minority winemakers but also dive into the wines themselves. Each wine...

Over the past few years, the topics of diversity and representation have dominated wine conversation. And rightfully so. Significantly, much of that conversation has focused on race, and has emphasized the experience of Black and Hispanic communities in wine (learn more about our perspective here). However, D&I efforts cannot solely focus on racial diversity to be truly inclusive. Gender, sexuality, and disabilities should also be considered. ...

In 2021, just five years after moving to Oregon and starting her wine journey, Tiquette Bramlett became the first Black woman to run a winery in a major US region. It was an inspiring moment for the industry, and a win for those who couldn’t see themselves in positions of power in wine. But it’s not the beginning–nor the end– of Bramlett’s story.  “I start...

You may know that the Michigan wine industry is a big part of the American wine scene. It’s the fourth largest grape-growing state, and produces more than 3 million gallons of wine a year. There are over 200 wineries in the state and 3,375 acres under vine.  However, you may not know that Michigan was among the first wine growing regions in the country. In...

“Don’t seek to be the guru, seek who the guru sought”  (If you got here first, don’t forget to check our Part 1 where I profile entrepreneur, Derrick Westbrook.) You know him as the Black Wine Guy, but MJ Towler is more than a wine podcaster. He has more previous careers than most of us. For instance, he was a fitness instructor, banker, and legal...

(SPOILER ALERT! If you have not watched Drink Masters on Netflix, We will spoil the entire thing in the next paragraph. Stop here, watch it and come back!) More than Drink Masters If you know the name Lauren Paylor (or “LP” as she’s known), then you also know the show, Drink Masters. Drink Masters is a Netflix competition show that brought in the top mixologists...