Cheers to Love! Three Bottles for Pride

It’s not just the sun that’s out! Pride celebrations kick into high gear this weekend with a much-welcome return to parties, parades and more in support of equal rights and inclusion for members of the LGBTQ+ community. But diversity is something we honor year-round Wine & Spirits. Here are some of our favorite producers who do the same.

 

Pride Without Prejudice: Cardinal Spirits Pride Vodka

This award-winning vodka from Cardinal Spirits isn’t just bright, fresh and smooth, it also directly supports the LGBTQ+ community. Ten percent of sales proceeds are donated to local LQBTQ+ organizations. In fact, this label was first produced in 2015, when gay marriage was legalized in the U.S. On the nose, intense aromas of beurre blanc, fresh apricot and marzipan lead into an impressively smooth body that subtly echoes the sweetness found on the nose. All wrapped up in a spiced finish with hints of earthiness to add balance. Lovely and fresh on its own, but adds a little sense of weight and decadence in mixed drinks.

A Toast To Old Friends: Tenuta Di Ceppaiano Toscana Rosso ‘K.Haring’ 2015

It's the kind of thing that can only happen in New York City. Future winemaker Piergiorgio Castellani was just a student, passionate about art, and met an up-and-coming artist named Keith Haring while hanging out at a bar in the East Village. The two became fast friends, and in no time started working on an idea that would become the famed "Tuttomondo" mural in Pisa. Haring gifted to his friend a wine label of his own design to commemorate their work together. Years later, the Castellani family developed this commemorative cuvee to honor Haring and their unique friendship--a complex blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Notes of wild rose, dark cherry, mint, cassis, and licorice tease the palate backed by warm notes of vanilla, cedar and spice. A perfect match for pasta and spicy Mediterranean fare, a portion of sales proceeds go to support the work of the Keith Haring Foundation.

Embracing Freedom: Privateer New England “Pride” White Rum

"Best ingredients. Best practices." These words anchor the story of Privateer New England White Rum. The brand takes the inspiration for its name from those who fought for freedom as privateers during the American Revolution, and donates a portion of every sale to local LGBTQ+ charities -- now that’s putting your money where your mouth is! Privateer source single-origin, Grade-A molasses, made from fine sugar cane grown in the volcanic soils of a single valley in Guatemala, by a brother-sister team who are also members of Sugar for Good, an organization dedicated to high environmental and pro-worker standards. Double-distilled and proofed slowly, the resulting rum offers beautiful notes of pineapple, passionfruit, vanilla bean, and a hint of earthy tobacco blossom, and is perfect for accenting mixed cocktails or sipping solo.