Wine and a Word

This post is dedicated to Black businesses, Black entrepreneurs, and Black Creatives.

You may have noticed that I took a brief hiatus last week, not because I didn’t drink wine (I certainly did), but because posting something as lighthearted as a wine review felt disingenuous. I was frustrated and angry, as many members of my community were and continue to be. How much longer will we have to plead not only for justice but for our humanity? With so much pain and turmoil in my community I felt it necessary to take a brief pause, and so I did.

We cannot afford to keep quiet so as not to offend others, or make palatable togetherness statements that don’t directly address the racism, police brutality, and injustice Black people face each day.

You may be thinking “I didn’t come here for this”, and you may not have, but I would be doing myself and my community a disservice if I didn’t address the racial injustice plaguing our community today. I cannot, we cannot afford to keep quiet so as not to offend others, or make palatable togetherness statements that don’t directly address the racism, police brutality, and injustice we face each day. If the above statement makes you uneasy or uncomfortable, good. It’s time you face those feelings and ask yourself why that is–and I hope that you do.

To my allies: if you find that when you post images or statements in support of #BlackLivesMatter you receive pushback or less engagement than usual, keep going. It means you’re speaking to the very people who need to hear the message most.

And with that, let’s get into this review.

In an effort to support Black businesses I decided this was the perfect time to try a wine from the Black Girl Magic collection by the McBride Sisters. Did I have plenty of wine in my pantry? Absolutely, but I’m making a conscious effort to buy Black.

I’ll start by addressing the elephant in the room. Yes, I’m drinking white wine out of a red wine glass, but hear me out. Serving fragrant wines like Rieslings in a large glass allows for larger surface exposure, meaning you get to enjoy the aromatic notes as you swirl, rather than bundling them in a small glass.

Mind blown? I know. You’re welcome.

This Black Girl Magic Riesling is magic indeed! 10/10 would recommend! With its sweet, but not too sweet buttery finish, this smooth wine serves hits of apricot, honey, and jasmine with a touch of pineapple and citrus on the end. Bonus: the acidity here is lower than you might expect, which makes for a cool and refreshing sip—perfect for a hot summer day.

This wine was just what I needed to take the edge off of a traumatic week of events. When life gives you racial injustice, pour a glass of Black Girl Magic Riesling, then fight the power…okay, maybe not in that order but you get the gist. I lit a candle and paired this wine with spicy pad thai and the season finale of Insecure, it was the perfect end to Self-care Sunday!

Speaking of candles, the By Niya candle pictured here is Black owned, smells divine and is made from 100% soy wax and all natural oils. If COVID has you down for the count this summer (and it probably should) let your senses travel to destinations across the world with these fragrant candles inspired by travel abroad.

What Black owned businesses or creatives do you support? Drop your favorites in the comments below!

Peace and love, but remember, no justice, no peace.

XO,

AllieBE