Using our platform as a voice for those who may not traditionally have had as many opportunities to share their voice is at the root of the Pink Girls Run The World (PGRW) movement. That being said, I was excited to hear about the interactive way that Philadelphia's BlacOak was giving a voice to a community of wine drinkers who are often overlooked.
During their fine tasting event dedicated to Jay-Z fans, BlacOak focused on wines that the rapper shout outs in his music. Level III Sommelier and Co-Founder of the BlacOak Wine Club & Tasting Room, Ebonie Dukes, guided us through a tasting with wines like Opus One ($100/bottle) and Ace of Spades($300/bottle). Feeding off of the crowd's energy, Dukes shared her tasting tips while encouraging participants to share the ways that wine has influenced their lives.
After a challenging week at work, nothing beats meeting up with your girls to decompress over a couple glasses of pinot noir at your favorite local wine bar. In the interview below, Dukes shares a few tips and why you should put BlacOak Wine Club & Tasting room on your radar for the next for GNO.
PGRW: For many years the wine industry has been traditionally dominated by white men. What sparked your interest in wine and becoming a Sommelier?
Dukes: My interest was ignited through embarrassment. For years I would stare down a wine list and routinely only order the things I could pronounce. But every time I would see a word or region I was unfamiliar with I would look it up to learn more. As I traveled down the rabbit hole I realized wine was tied to history and I love history. The journey to becoming a sommelier is rooted in my desire to kick-in doors that are typically closed to little girls that look like me. The Wine Industry's estimated revenue in 2020 was over 400 billion dollars and while people of color are definitely contributing to those revenue numbers as professionals we make up less than 1% of the wine industry and I personally strive to be the change I want to see.
PGRW: How does the Blac Oak tasting room experience stand out compared to other tasting rooms?
Dukes: The BlacOak Tasting Room is a very unique experience. When you visit another tasting room their goal will always be to sell you their wine. That is not our primary goal. Our goal is to educate the general consumer on the complexity and nuances of fine wine, highlight black-owned wine brands, and remove any insecurities that a consumer may have when purchasing, ordering or tasting wine. We are the cultures classroom, our tasting events are themed and meant to empower our guests in an environment that infuses our culture into the vibe. In addition to the education, we are creating a safe space for all your questions to be answered by certified sommeliers.
PGRW: How should PGRW readers be storing their wine and why is that important?
Dukes: First, don't store your wine instead, just drink it! Wine should be consumed within 48hours of opening otherwise it loses something every day. If you are planning to keep an opened bottle of wine for longer than 48hours you should use either a vacuvin (5-7days of preservation) or a Coravin (6months to 1 year). If we are talking about an unopened bottle of wine then you first want to make sure it is being stored on its side. Next, make sure it is in a cool (55-57 degrees) and dimly lit space ideally somewhere with minimum traffic suggest as a basement or dedicated room.
PGRW: At the Blac Oak tasting event, Lamar mentioned that he likes wines from Bordeaux. What is your favorite wine region and why?
My favorite region changes often because I love trying new things. I am currently toggling between The Rhone Valley in France and Willamette Valley in Oregon
I fell in love with the Rhone Valley during Somm School. The region creates beautiful blends of red wine that we refer to as GSM blends. The GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, this blend is full of dark fruit and floral aromas that are balanced with the aroma of meat or leather. They are full-body red wines that leave long finishes and time for great conversations. Willamette Valley Oregon is a newer region that is being compared to Burgundy France. In the wine world, we say all roads lead to Burgundy because Burgundy France creates the best pinot noirs and chardonnays in the world. Willamette Valley has a similar climate and has begun to produce high-quality wine that rivals Burgundy at a much more approachable price point.
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