Celebrating Queer Joy: A Wine Pairing List for ‘Age of Pleasure’

Happy Pride Month, y’all. Amidst all the anti-gay and anti-trans sentiment that seems to have exploded over the past year, queer individuals are making themselves heard through activism and creative expression. The one outstanding work of art that’s had me overflowing with pride as a queer woman is Janelle Monáe’s latest album, Age of Pleasure.

To say this album is a masterpiece would be a drastic understatement. Monáe has composed a singular, magnificent tribute to queer joy and Black excellence in this 14-track musical sensation that I’ve had on repeat since its release earlier this month. If you’ve been doing the same, here’s a wine pairing guide for your next listening session.

Sparkling: Tracks 1-3

Age of Pleasure starts with the song of the summer: “Float.” This song sets you up to know that you’re entering, as Guardian puts it, “hot-girl summer hedonism.” As this track fades into “Champagne Shit,” the hype keeps going, and I can only think of one brand of sparkling wine to start this pairing experience with.

La Fête Wine Co. embodies the “Champagne Shit” lifestyle where “rosé-drinking is a part of everyday life.” Their signature GSM rosé explodes with strawberry and hazelnut and has a little something special for everyone. La Fête is “redefining who drinks wine” by specializing in wines that appeal to people of different cultures and generations.

Roussanne/Chenin Blend: Tracks 4-6

One of the coolest things about Age of Pleasure is that Janelle Monáe curates the listening session like a wine tasting by featuring friends and implementing a transitional flow between each track, creating one fluid experience. In this pairing list, I have attempted to mimic this flow in flavor. Next is a Roussanne/Chenin blend, a white blend definitely heavier than sparkling wine but still delivering those toasty notes and sensual stone fruit character.

Kumusha’s Flame Lily has been breaking news since its inception. When I first tried this wine, I went in with low expectations as a non-Chenin gal. But trust me when I say that Kumusha’s Chenin is different from any other you’ve tasted. Born in Zimbabwe, Tinashe Nyumudoka won the 2013 Young Stars Best Wine Steward Award and the 2016 Eat Out Wine Service Award before forming the first wine tasting team from Zimbabwe. In 2017, he launched Kumusha Wines and has been on a journey toward success ever since.

Ruché: Lipstick Lover

Yes, this song needs its own wine. It’s got dreamy tunes over a smooth reggae beat and a sexy, alluring music video featuring what can only be described as queer paradise. Janelle Monáe wanted this album to showcase the creative talent of the Wondaland collective and especially the free-natured spirit of this music.

For this Pride season, Tank Garage Winery released a Ruché blend called Out of the Closet. This wine, which was borne out of a project with queer mixed media artist Hizze Fletcher-King, celebrates and gives back to the LGBTQ community.

“Tank produced a sellout wine that garnered lots of attention stateside and made heaps of money for a local charity, LGBTQ Connection,” says Fletcher-King. “I was over the moon when they contacted me earlier this year.”

Out of the Closet is a bold red blend that exudes red fruit notes and goes easy on the tannins. This bottle also reflects the collaborative, unapologetic nature of Lipstick Lover in its conception and connection to art.

“Art in the community is vital,” asserts Fletcher-King, “It can deliver a strong message to the community and bring home real feelings of support and positivity. Art can bring people together, educate and help change negative perspectives by building an environment of trust, respect, empathy and openness.”

Gamay: Tracks 8-12

The next few tracks continue with the upbeat momentum, featuring artists like Amaarae, Sister Nancy and Sean Kuti. Monáe delivers punchy lines like, “Baby if you pay me in pleasure, I’m a keep it coming forever” juxtaposed with more mellow vibes like Sister Nancy’s rhythmic repetition of “Only woman DJ with degree” that seamlessly transitions into “Water Slide.”

Y’all know I’m Gamay’s biggest fan because of its complexity and smoothness, so I knew it would be the perfect fit for this part of Age of Pleasure. For this particular pairing, I’d suggest Maison Noir’s Free Gamay or Gamma Ray blend of Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir. It’s juicy and dark fruit-forward and exudes notes of leather and spice.

Red Blend: Tracks 13-14

Here Janelle Monáe winds it down with two tracks that slow the wild and sexy ride to a soft, more romantically sensual vibe. Throughout the album, Monáe celebrates a journey of self-discovery many queer people can relate to, highlighting non-binary elements of gender, sexuality and relationships. Recently, Monáe told Vogue, “The more I am free in my thinking and living outside the binary, I’m on a constant discovery of who I can be.” 

In “Only Have Eyes 42,” Monáe explores polyamorous relationships, bringing Age of Pleasure  to its conclusion. For this final pairing, I’m recommending two different red blends in honor of Monáe’s dedication to limitless pleasure.

First is Trilogy, a Bordeaux blend by Flora Springs with currant and plum character and hints of licorice and vanilla. It’s an incredibly sexy, late-night red blend perfect for fireside lounging.

Last but not least is Jenny Dawn’s 2021 Red Wine Blend. This homegrown blend is made from three hybrid grapes grown in Kansas, where Dawn launched the first Black-owned, woman-owned winery in the state. Since Monáe grew up in Kansas, I figured this might be “A Dry Red” worthy of sending off this album.

Thank you, Monáe, for reminding us queer folk to find joy and pleasure wherever we go.