A Bigger New World

Racial and cultural diversity are energizing and enriching the wine community

Illustration of black wine-industry professionals surrounded by glasses of red and white wine — (Benjamin Currie)

From the Nov 30, 2020, issue

Since Wine Spectator's founding in 1976, the number of wine lovers has increased steadily, as an appreciation for eating well became part of daily life and as vintners around the world supplied more and better bottles to put on the table.

But we realize that the table has been too small.

Amid a broader examination of racial discrimination in society, it became evident that opportunity within the wine community has been limited for people of color, especially at the industry’s higher levels.

We spoke with vintners, winemakers, sommeliers, journalists, entrepreneurs and more—leaders in the business and those just starting out in their careers—about their experiences, hopes and outlook on life in the wine world. We hope this package describes more fully the wine community that is, and helps foster the future that wine lovers want and deserve.

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