McBride Sisters Brut Rosé and Martha and the Vandellas' Dance Party
There’s a special kind of energy that generates when a group of Black women get together to create something. Their voices are strong, distinct and offer something no one else can, all too often rising from a space where they’re under-represented. The wines of the McBride Sisters and the music of Martha and the Vandellas are just two examples that both independently and when combined leave me shook.
It’s also about sisterhood, both in a figurative, collaborative, special bond type way and in the case of the McBride Sisters, quite literally. Robin and Andréa McBride grew up separated by 7,000 miles on two different continents, not finding or even knowing about each other until young adulthood. When they finally connected, they discovered they were both brought up in wine country—Robin in Monterey, California and Andréa in Marlborough, New Zealand—and both shared the same ambition to make wine.
They took what seemed to be a blatant, unmistakable sign from the universe and started the McBride Sisters Wine Company in 2010, which is the largest African-American owned wine company in the United States. Their current collections include multiple wines made in California’s Central Coast and in Marlborough, New Zealand, like their sparkling Brut Rosé.
Before even thinking about smelling or tasting this wine, it just looks delicious. It’s the kind of salmon pink you just want to gaze at for a while. After gawking at the color, the aromas are just as attractive, with white rose floral notes, strawberry, cherry, with a minerally slate-like moment.
The palate is very dry, with beautiful acidity expressing a balanced under-ripe fruity tartness, a lovely lime note that brings strawberry margarita energy, and a hint of a smokey petrol nuance. It’s made from a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay in the Champagne style. It’s electric and vibrant. It’s bubbly matched for charcuterie, pizza, and any other salty-savory situation you desire, or just on its own as I enjoyed it.
Martha and the Vandellas in 1965
Martha and the Vandellas are another force to be reckoned with. Like the McBride Sisters, this 60s girl group shows what can happen when talented, powerful women take the mic.
Martha Reeves, who early on rose through the ranks of the group to lead singer, started out working as a secretary for Motown producer Mickey Stevenson. With her initial bandmates Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard, they began their career singing backup vocals for early Marvin Gaye recordings. That caught the attention of the folks responsible for signing new artists to Motown. They remain one of the most legendary artists tied to the esteemed R&B label.
For as serious as their skills and powerhouse statuses are, these girls radiate fun, made clear with the McBride Sisters’ inherently fun sparkling rosé and Martha and the Vandellas’ iconic album, perfectly entitled “Dance Party”.
All hail and bow down to the formidable first track, and one of the greatest songs of all time, “Dancing in the Street”. It is a rallying cry across the world to get up and dance. Blaring horns, pulsating percussion, Martha’s commanding vocals and the unifying, galvanizing lyrics combine for an epic, timeless classic. I mean, C’MON. No wonder it’s been covered by the likes of David Bowie & Mick Jagger, Van Halen, Little Richard and Phil Collins, among others—but none come close to the vigor of the original.
Another standout, “Wild One” is such a fun, charming song that showcases Martha and the Vandella’s dynamic, complementary vocal arrangements.
“Nowhere to Run” is another resounding hit for the group, featuring music by the Funk Brothers who incorporated snow chains in the percussion, one of the song’s signatures. While the song appears to be about being trapped in a bad relationship, it’s been suggested one of the songwriters was referencing the unrest and tumultuous experience of being in Detroit during the Vietnam War.
In either case, “Nowhere to Run” exhibits a contrast of distressed lyrics with catchy, upbeat music and vocals—a common theme for music of that era, and especially the girl groups lamenting dysfunctional relationships. The same is true for the heartbreaking lyrics of “There He Is (At My Door)”: “He just came back to hurt me some more/I'm tryin' so hard not to hear/'Cause I know he don't really care”, while cheerful music plays in the background.
This album, from its title to the lyrics of its songs, suggests the power in dancing through your troubles. It acknowledges life’s problems and struggles, but offers the positive effects of music and dancing as a solution, at least in the short-term.
As the McBride Sisters honor where they each come from through their wines, Martha and the Vandellas proudly represent the culture and musical tradition of Detroit, like with the song “Motoring”, a nod to the Motor City.
It’s easy to see why the B52’s, who introduced Martha and the Vandellas when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, were influenced by their music and why Kate Pierson declared “When I heard the honeyed harmonies of the Vandellas and Martha’s mysterious voice, it was my call to party down.”
Let’s take a cue from Kate, and accept Martha and the Vandellas’ invitation to dance in the street as a chance for folks to meet. Let’s not forget the problems of the world, but let’s get together, enjoy great music and wine, and celebrate the Black women who made them.
