This post unfortunately misses the mark by reducing a complex issue to oversimplified terms like "douchebag," which trivializes the deeply rooted and intersectional history of exclusion in the wine industry. The call for inclusivity is important but feels incomplete, as it overlooks the reality that people of different races and genders can still be part of the elite class that perpetuates this exclusivity. At its core, wealth and power—not simply demographics—are the true gatekeepers to access in wine culture.
The portrayal of class in the post feels one-dimensional, focusing more on appearances than the socio-economic realities that shape wine accessibility. The blog suggests that making wine more inclusive can be as simple as showing more diverse people drinking it, using Beyoncé’s popularization of fanny packs as a comparison. While visibility and representation are undoubtedly valuable, this argument glosses over deeper barriers. These include the high cost of quality wine, the lack of wine education in underrepresented communities, and the ways wine brands are marketed and priced, which continue to exclude large swaths of the population.
The post also misrepresents who the "old guard" of wine truly is. Beyoncé, one of the most powerful and influential figures in the world, operates within this sphere of exclusivity, even if she doesn't fit the stereotypical image of the "old white man." Beyoncé and Jay-Z are well known for their association with Armand de Brignac Champagne, one of the most expensive and elite brands in the world. Jay-Z purchased the brand in 2014, and their bottles can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. This, along with Jay-Z’s co-ownership of D’Ussé Cognac—another exclusive luxury brand—demonstrates that the power of wealth and exclusivity transcends race or gender lines.
The focus on diversifying wine culture through representation alone overlooks the fact that people like Beyoncé and Jay-Z already participate in this elite space. While representation is important, it won’t address the structural barriers that keep wine inaccessible for many. We need to acknowledge and dismantle the deeper systems—like income disparity and lack of access to education—that keep wine culture exclusive.
There's plenty of truth here, but I do think you're putting more onus on this post than it deserves. The wine industry can't fix the wealth divide, it can barely address it in any significant way. And any single Substack post shouldn't be disallowed to address other gatekeeping hurdles embedded within the industry simply because it can't solve the biggest of them all.
There is a lot we can do to welcome non-affluent individuals into the wine world that stops short of fixing income inequality altogether. We can stop dismissing affordable wine options. We can embrace and showcase how good <$20 bottles of wine can be. We can stop being old, wealthy white men who only collect the most prestigious bottles and brands and treat our enjoyment of wine as a societal bragging point, rather than what it should be: something to enjoy as a drink, ideally with others, full stop.
On the representation front, there is always power in seeing someone who looks like you represented in a world you *thought* was inaccessible. No matter how celebrity-level wealthy they may be. Though admittedly and to both of your points, it's *more* important for non-celebrity, non-uber-wealthy individuals to do the same, so people can see themselves represented but with a product that isn't out of most people's reach/budget.
Absolutely, there is a lot to tackle to fully connect to all potential drinkers. But not being an arrogant old white man (in body or action) who obsesses about astronomically unaffordable bottles of Burgundy is a definite starting point.
THANKS, Kayli and Dave, both of you simply for reading and for contributing your thoughts! My absolute favorite part about wine is the conversation and community that it fosters, and I'm very very hopeful we can mimic some of that spirit in these posts and comments. (One thing I like about Substack--so far--is the lack of trolling or adamantly binary arguing amongst its readers... at least on those I read!)
Kayli, OF COURSE there's more to it than all of this above. Think of this as one tiny chapter--or portion of a chapter--in what would probably be (might soon be?!) a full book, that could probably realistically be an entire series. (Oh! Realizing I did say something in the post about a University lecture series.......) But my point is really to acknowledge your points and not disagree.
And... again: THANK YOU for reading and for lending even more texture and nuance to this ongoing conversation. The wine world needs all of us here, in it, for it! Cheers.
I think this article is purely brilliantly written. Thank you
This post unfortunately misses the mark by reducing a complex issue to oversimplified terms like "douchebag," which trivializes the deeply rooted and intersectional history of exclusion in the wine industry. The call for inclusivity is important but feels incomplete, as it overlooks the reality that people of different races and genders can still be part of the elite class that perpetuates this exclusivity. At its core, wealth and power—not simply demographics—are the true gatekeepers to access in wine culture.
The portrayal of class in the post feels one-dimensional, focusing more on appearances than the socio-economic realities that shape wine accessibility. The blog suggests that making wine more inclusive can be as simple as showing more diverse people drinking it, using Beyoncé’s popularization of fanny packs as a comparison. While visibility and representation are undoubtedly valuable, this argument glosses over deeper barriers. These include the high cost of quality wine, the lack of wine education in underrepresented communities, and the ways wine brands are marketed and priced, which continue to exclude large swaths of the population.
The post also misrepresents who the "old guard" of wine truly is. Beyoncé, one of the most powerful and influential figures in the world, operates within this sphere of exclusivity, even if she doesn't fit the stereotypical image of the "old white man." Beyoncé and Jay-Z are well known for their association with Armand de Brignac Champagne, one of the most expensive and elite brands in the world. Jay-Z purchased the brand in 2014, and their bottles can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. This, along with Jay-Z’s co-ownership of D’Ussé Cognac—another exclusive luxury brand—demonstrates that the power of wealth and exclusivity transcends race or gender lines.
The focus on diversifying wine culture through representation alone overlooks the fact that people like Beyoncé and Jay-Z already participate in this elite space. While representation is important, it won’t address the structural barriers that keep wine inaccessible for many. We need to acknowledge and dismantle the deeper systems—like income disparity and lack of access to education—that keep wine culture exclusive.
There's plenty of truth here, but I do think you're putting more onus on this post than it deserves. The wine industry can't fix the wealth divide, it can barely address it in any significant way. And any single Substack post shouldn't be disallowed to address other gatekeeping hurdles embedded within the industry simply because it can't solve the biggest of them all.
There is a lot we can do to welcome non-affluent individuals into the wine world that stops short of fixing income inequality altogether. We can stop dismissing affordable wine options. We can embrace and showcase how good <$20 bottles of wine can be. We can stop being old, wealthy white men who only collect the most prestigious bottles and brands and treat our enjoyment of wine as a societal bragging point, rather than what it should be: something to enjoy as a drink, ideally with others, full stop.
On the representation front, there is always power in seeing someone who looks like you represented in a world you *thought* was inaccessible. No matter how celebrity-level wealthy they may be. Though admittedly and to both of your points, it's *more* important for non-celebrity, non-uber-wealthy individuals to do the same, so people can see themselves represented but with a product that isn't out of most people's reach/budget.
Absolutely, there is a lot to tackle to fully connect to all potential drinkers. But not being an arrogant old white man (in body or action) who obsesses about astronomically unaffordable bottles of Burgundy is a definite starting point.
THANKS, Kayli and Dave, both of you simply for reading and for contributing your thoughts! My absolute favorite part about wine is the conversation and community that it fosters, and I'm very very hopeful we can mimic some of that spirit in these posts and comments. (One thing I like about Substack--so far--is the lack of trolling or adamantly binary arguing amongst its readers... at least on those I read!)
Kayli, OF COURSE there's more to it than all of this above. Think of this as one tiny chapter--or portion of a chapter--in what would probably be (might soon be?!) a full book, that could probably realistically be an entire series. (Oh! Realizing I did say something in the post about a University lecture series.......) But my point is really to acknowledge your points and not disagree.
And... again: THANK YOU for reading and for lending even more texture and nuance to this ongoing conversation. The wine world needs all of us here, in it, for it! Cheers.