I’ve spent the past year writing, talking, and engaging on the intersection of wine and race. An interview I had this past summer recently was published on Forbes.com by my colleague and friend Cathy Huyghe who I met through my work. Only a great friend could get me up to meet her early in Georgetown for coffee. It’s not that I’m not an early riser, it is just I try to avoid D.C. traffic at all costs.
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It’s been a hell of a time. Many of you know, or if you are new to my site, my mother passed away suddenly in late August. Needless to say I am trying to process it all and get to this new normal. The process has been more than just grief, it’s paperwork, accepting I won’t hear her force, trying to continue to do the work I am called in the world of wine and travel, and honor her legacy. I’m grateful for everyone who has reached out, grief counseling, meds, therapy, and the gift of being her daughter.
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I love Provence as much as the next Francophile, but when we talk about rosé we can also look at other regions. Provençal rosé is definitely a thing here in the states. I work at a wine store and once warm weather hits we begin to get inundated with rosé. Often it's my job to let consumers know about the vast rosé's from different regions. A few of my favorite regions are Chinon (Loire Valley), Burgunday, and the Gigondas appellations.
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Alsace. Where Pinot Rocks! You might be asking yourself what and where is an Alsace? Alsace is located between the borders of France and Germany which means it is influenced by both wine producing countries. Note the photo above and the three bottles that are slender in and representative of German-style bottling.
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There are no words to express what you, my dear readers, mean to me. You have stood beside me and supported me on this writing journey since 2006. This year has been busy and this space has lacked my own words because I've been burning the candle at both ends writing for other outlets. I have dreamt of this moment for years and I am appreciative although everything is happening at the same time. I'm not complaining. I'm ENJOYING as my friend Renee likes to tell me.
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Open That Bottle Night was created Wall Street Journal Columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher at the behest of many readers wanting to know when they should open a particular bottle of wine. Tomorrow is that night for many people around the world and there is still time to decide what YOU plan on opening for tomorrow night. Let me know what you plan to open. I'm interested in what you have been holding on to as well. It's hard to part with great bottles and their memories.
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THANK YOU! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my family, friends, and colleagues who texted, emailed, Tweeted, and shared my open letter on yesterday. So many people in and out of the wine industry reached out to me. Now the real work begins.
I received a personal response from Karen last night. I am glad Karen took the time to respond. She could have dismissed it, but she didn't. I believe the post will give her and many others a new perspective on their wine writing and work. Thank you, Karen. I am posting a photo of the email and the copy here.
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Last Saturday afternoon my phone, emails, and notifications blew up with mentions of your blog post Women and the Wine Industry and your SOMM Journal article Beyond the Wine Glass—A New Glass Ceiling? Before I commented I wanted to read the post and the article. I wanted to sit with them because I am a woman in the wine industry. I’m a new convert to the profession and I hoped the article would give me insights. It did, but it also lacked what is obvious in the wine industry too – diversity.
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Wow. I can’t believe we are here at the finale. It’s bittersweet. I want more episodes, not necessarily longer, but more. I wouldn’t mind 10 episodes. Ten is a good number for Insecure. At it’s hard it’s a comedy, but at times it feels like a drama. I am always rooting for them. Friendships are complex, hard, and like any relationship takes work. They are layered, nuanced, and when you find a good friend you hold on to them. Right, wrong, or indifferent defines all friendships.
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I wanted to thank everyone who reached out to me regarding my family, friends, and my beloved Houston regarding the hurricane. It did not go unnoticed and I am very thankful for this community who look after one another. It was also eye-opening for people who say they love you or care about you who didn’t say one word.
With that being said...my goodness. The show is going to places I know I didn’t expect. The writing is getting better and it’s also so real. Yes, people will always make crazy decisions while we sit on the couch of judgment.
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It’s like whoa! This week’s episode has me questioning Issa and Molly as a mad duo. I think Issa should join Molly in sitting on a therapist’s couch. You can only do your hoe phase for so long before you realize you need to talk to someone with some letters behind their name to deal with your issues because what she is doing is not working.
Spoiler Alert
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