B. Stuyvesant Brut Reserve and Beyoncé's RENAISSANCE
Beyoncé and Marvina Robinson’s latest projects are effortlessly exquisite on the outside and a chessboard of intentional moves on the inside.
Beyoncé continues to innovate with every new album she makes. Her artistic evolution is anything but predictable or monotonous. This is part of her creative intuition, but also a deliberate design.
Marvina is among a few Black women to own a Champagne label. She created B. Stuyvesant Champagne out of a pure love for Champagne, despite many who doubted and questioned her along the way. As she told the New York Times, she would just need to figure out how to do it on her own. And that’s exactly what she did.
Beyoncé and Marvina strut in with their latest projects, stilettos on, figuratively (and maybe literally) “kicking vintage crystal off the bar.” They are category creators and couriers of joy. “RENAISSANCE” and B. Stuyvesant Brut Reserve represent the vision, culture, community, and work ethic of Black women.
Their collaborative choices are an artform on their own. Beyoncé and Marvina carefully selected their collaborators, including other artists on “RENAISSANCE” and the B. Stuyvesant winemakers in Champagne. These partnerships celebrate and amplify other communities. With Beyoncé, it’s Black LBGTQ+ culture, and with Marvina, it’s the wine community–including winemakers, wine drinkers, and the wine-curious.
From TS Madison and MikeQ samples, to songs co-written by Honey Dijon, Big Freedia vocals, and even spoken words by Grace Jones herself, “RENAISSANCE” is full of trans and queer icon appearances.
The farmers and winemakers who bring B. Stuyvesant to life work throughout six villages in the Marne Valley in Champagne. They hand-pick the grapes and operate with respect to the land that bears their fruit.
The B. Stuyvesant Grand Reserve is a blend of approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay. Its delicate lemon hues and lively bubbles intertwine in a glass that says “let’s party” – whatever that means to you.
Fresh lemon juice, lemon rind, white flowers, tart apple, ginger, and a touch of baking spice aromas emerge from the glass. When the juice hits the tongue it’s super crisp with high acid and persistent bubbles. It’s dry but with ample apple and lemon fruit.
This Champagne has big energy and a high level of sophistication without pretension. It’s just as suited for drinking while dressed in a ball gown or in cut off shorts. It deserves a soundtrack to match that vibe.
“RENAISSANCE” is your cue to pop some bottles.
Beyoncé reminds anyone who forgot that “I’M THAT GIRL” on the opening track. She’s the girl who continues to evolve and reinvent herself, one banger at a time. This is her post-pandemic arrival. She’s risen from lock down, ready to live life to the fullest and on her terms. “RENAISSANCE” is her invitation for us to do the same.
“COZY” is a declaration of self love. It encourages anyone who might color outside the lines of “normalcy” to be “comfortable in my skin” and “cozy with who I am.” Beyoncé warns anyone thinking about threatening that security, saying, “might i suggest you don’t fuck with my sis”–whether that’s Solange or any of her people under attack.
“COZY” seamlessly transitions into “ALIEN SUPERSTAR.” The song is as celestial and mesmerizing as the title suggests. It soars through a sonic Milky Way, intoxicating you with each note. When this song is on, you don’t need drugs to feel high. This song is about embodying your own alien superstar–those unique qualities that only you have.
“CUFF IT” is a disco song for the girls (and that includes boys and non binary). It creates an environment of fun and belonging. The melody has a swagger that’s prompted its own viral TikTok dance challenge. The Grand Reserve is just as accessible and crowd-pleasing. Both can’t help but put you in a good mood.
New Orleans bounce legend Big Freedia comes in hot with her guest vocals on the first single from the album, “BREAK MY SOUL.” This song is about liberation and Big Freedia sounds the alarm, shouting “RELEASE YOUR WIGGLE!” This verse is equally inspiring:
I'm lookin' for motivation
I'm lookin' for a new foundation, yeah
And I'm on that new vibration
I'm buildin' my own foundation, yeah
The rest of the album doesn’t relent for a second, nor do the bubbles in your glass. “CHURCH GIRL” is another standout track. It’s layered with so many different musical and lyrical elements, from gospel to hip hop, New Orleans bounce, soul, and R&B. It preaches self respect and living your truth despite some bumpy roads along the way.
“VIRGO’S GROOVE” is made for the roller rink. It’s flirty, indulgent, and light hearted, which is exactly the right vibe for Champagne. The title of “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” really says it all and sums up the last 5+ years. The song is ominous, formidable, but also a bop.
If a perfect gay bar song exists, it’s “PURE/HONEY.” It drips with attitude and confidence as Bey sings, “It should cost a billion to look this good.” The song is split in two parts stylistically, which the title cleverly alludes to. After the club beats and fierceness of PURE, the song changes directions to HONEY, which emanates poppy Prince vibes.
“SUMMER RENAISSANCE” closes out “RENAISSANCE” with bottled ecstasy that drives home the album’s message and Beyoncé’s singular essence: “the category is Bey.”
Beyoncé and Marvina’s vision shines through their creations meant for and worthy of celebration.
