For this article, we teamed up with our friends at Topic streaming to bring you 8 amazing stories from Black directors, and 8 equally amazing wines to match. Topic is a streaming service and a cultural force bringing brilliant treasures unseen and unexpected from around the world into the spotlight. Think of it as a streaming service for curious seekers – they curate unique stories you can’t find anywhere else. And they have an incredible and extensive selection of movies and shows from Black directors and creators. But don’t take our word for it – they’re offering you a 1-month FREE trial of Topic! Simply click here to start your free trial, and keep scrolling for 8 amazing stories from Black directors and wine pairings!
Looking for something new to binge-watch? Whether you’re a fan of side-splitting comedy, intense drama, or something fresh and original, Topic has a ton of binge-worthy options. Why not treat yourself to an engrossing new series and a perfectly paired glass of wine? The only trouble is there are so many options it can be tricky to know where to start. Thankfully, this guide is here to help you choose from a diverse array of unique new series from incredibly talented Black directors. Plus the right bottle of wine to go with each one.
1. AKA Wyatt Cenac
Writer, director, and performer Wyatt Cenac stars in AKA Wyatt Cenac, a new digital series about a Brooklyn resident moonlighting as a crime-fighting vigilante. This sharply funny series pairs well with Malbec, a robust red wine with silky tannins. Just as Cenac shifts effortlessly between his two personas, Malbec also has two distinct looks. French Malbec has more tart fruit flavors, with notes of black currant, pepper, and spice. While Argentinian Malbec is known for its dark fruit flavors and notes of sweet tobacco and milk chocolate.
We like to pair this funny series with a glass of The Happy Medium Malbec. This red wine has flavor notes of raspberry, blueberry, cherry, and vanilla.
2. Soul City
New Orleans lore collides with dark magic in this horror anthology series created by Coodie & Chike. While getting a glimpse of the dark side of New Orleans, sip a glass of a Louisiana wine varietal: Blanc du Bois. The climate of the American south has presented a challenge to winemakers over the years, but Blanc du Bois was made for the heat and humidity and thrives in New Orleans. This fruit-forward white wine can be found in both dry and sweet styles, so pick whichever style matches your taste.
3. The Ascendants
Centered around four rising musicians from Chicago, The Ascendants gives an intimate look at the issues that young Black women artists have to overcome in both a male-dominated music industry and a marginalizing society. This original series pairs well with Shiraz, a dark and powerful red wine with layers of dark fruit notes and spice.
Pair this movie all about empowering women with the Bushtelly Shiraz. This bold Australian Shiraz has flavor notes of raspberry, plum, blackberry, and smoke.
4. Enterprice
Enterprice portrays two young entrepreneurs from South London – Kazim and Jeremiah – as they try to escape the hustle and get their brand new delivery service business "Speedi-Kazz" off the ground. This fast-paced series pairs well with Vinho Verde, a zippy light-bodied white wine from Portugal. Slightly effervescent, this wine matches the fast-paced comedy of this series. It’s best to drink Vinho Verde soon after opening the bottle to preserve its bright citrusy notes.
5. The Loving Generation
The Loving Generation tells the story of how a generation of Americans born to one Black and one white parent experience race and identity in a divided United States.Named for the Loving decision – a supreme court ruling that legalized interracial marriage – this series celebrates the often untold stories of mixed race Americans. Toast this series with a celebratory wine like Blanc de Noirs Champagne. There are several ways Champagne can be made and Blanc de Noirs means that black grapes – often Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier – are used in the winemaking process to make a “blanc” or light style of sparkling wine.
6. One Story Up: Terrence Daye
One Story Up features a series of short films, beginning with Terrence Daye’s Cherish, a visually poetic portrait of a young Black boy in the South who navigates the mundane and discovers the miraculous. Followed by a Q&A with director Terrance Daye, who drew inspiration from growing up Black and queer in a religious home in the South, Cherish pairs well with a substantial and complex wine like Zinfandel. With rich, jammy notes of strawberry and blackberry, plus a hint of smoke, this red wine will take you on a journey while you watch this visually stunning film.
7. The Gift
The gifts of three female artists—an opera singer, a style icon and a painter—are the cast of this inspirational three-part series. Enjoy this visually and aurally stimulating series with a glass of Merlot, a wine that’s known for its intriguing hues and dark fruit notes. While you watch the vibrant colors on screen, take note of Merlot’s deep scarlet body and subtly orange color at the rim. As you listen to the dulcet tones in Cassandra, enjoy the wine’s rich “notes” of black cherry and plum.
8. Birds of North America with Jason Ward
This is not your grandfather’s birdwatching. Jason Ward takes viewers through NYC and other cities around the country meeting birders and bird enthusiasts of all kinds. This captivating series pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon, a red wine with notes of fresh berries and cedar – reminiscent of the forest. A subtle hint of graphite minerality in this full-bodied wine may bring you back to notes you’ve scribbled down in pencil while admiring a particularly lovely songbird in your own backyard.
The perfect Cab for this movie is the Meet Cute Cabernet Sauvignon. This full-bodied red wine has flavor notes of pomegranate, baking spices, cherry, and black currant.
In Vino Finito
Need help finding the right wine to pair with your nightly entertainment? Email us at concierge@brightcellars.com and we can help you find the perfect stories from Black directors and wine pairings.
