Black Women of the Vine
My latest LIVE! Culinary Series episode is a candid, continuous discussion on the state of Black women in the wine world, which includes a critical look at two new prime-time shows centering them.
This season is chockfull of great new scripted shows during primetime featuring strong Black leads, but what’s especially remarkable is that many of these leads are women. Also, these shows are created, directed, or produced by Black women.
There’s ABC’s “Women of the Movement,” which examines the brutal murder of Emmitt Till from the point of view of Mamie Till-Mobley, his mother. On a lighter note, ABC also features the very funny, documentary-styled “Abbott Elementary,” which stars three Black female educators from three different generations navigating an urban education system.
And then there are the two shows centered on wine culture, OWN’s “The Kings of Napa” and NBC’s “Grand Crew.” One focuses on a fictitious, prominent family that owns a vineyard in Napa Valley, while the latter follows a group of friends whose central hangout is a hip LA wine bar.
They’re all very well educated, knowledgeable about wine, and look chic drinking it. The point of both shows is to normalize Black people and wine culture, which I explore in my latest My Pen Is Mighty column.
I was so excited about these shows that I decided to engage mixologist Lynn House about them during a LIVE! Culinary Series episode. It turns out that she started her hospitality industry career in the wine business, so she knows the subject intimately.
During the episode, she spoke about her experiences from that point of view, while I spoke of mine as a consumer. There are ups and downs, we concluded, as Black women navigating this culture. And we couldn’t be happier that it’s finally becoming more inclusive.
On another liquid note, Lynn spotlighted two new beverages for “Juicy January,” her take on the popular Dry January observation when many people stop drinking booze. This time, she introduced two spirit-free highballs. My favorite was the “Wise Elder,” a refreshing drink made with elderberry syrup, lemon juice, and Fevertree Elderflower tonic (here’s the recipe).
It’s the perfect drink to indulge as I watch my favorite new shows.
Watch the latest LIVE Culinary Series episode right here.