Jacy Topps

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: What Does Work-Life Balance Look Like in Wine?

Between wine tasting events, dinners and traveling, the wine industry lifestyle may appear glamorous. There's plenty of fun to be had, but those in the business-whether they work in media, sales, winemaking or the public relations sector-know it can also be intense and take a toll on one's physical and mental health.

How One Trip Changed the Way My Partner Views Wine

It's common in relationships to not fully understand what your partner's job entails. We're all busy trying to perfect our own job skills. There isn't much time left in the day to decipher your SO's day-to-day job description-or even their formal title.

As a gay couple, our life insurance protects us even if the courts take away our right to be married

Making arrangements to support your family in the event of your death can be emotionally challenging - not many people are in a hurry to think about their mortality. I certainly wasn't in my late 30s.

The Complex Process of Grieving Your Abuser

Grief is already a complicated thing to experience, but what happens when the person you're grieving happens to be your abuser? Here, writer Jacy Topps explores what it feels like to negotiate feeling sad over the passing of someone who caused you harm.

"Just six months into our relationship we needed couples' counselling"

I was sitting on the sofa crying, when my partner Nikki came out of the bedroom. I thought the hour-long argument we'd been having about money was about to start up again. Instead, with her eyes filled with tears. "We should go to couples' counselling," she said.

For Many Queers, Coming Out Requires Going Out. But What if Chronic Illness Makes That Impossible?

Is Taking PrEP, the HIV-Preventing Pill, "On Demand" As Safe As Taking It Daily? On the Eve of the Black Party, Remembering What It Meant to Dance All Night in 1989 Anti-Trans Republicans Are Disguising Their Bigotry With Mock Concern Finding Femme: The Quiet Resistance of a Small-Town Stylist for Trans Women and Cross-Dressing Men You've probably heard of the idea of a queer "scene," perhaps most often from people who don't care for it.

Turning 40 is Hard. Turning 40 As a Black Woman is Harder.

"I may never accomplish what my white friends accomplish or have the same things. Black women don't have the same opportunities."

I'm Choosing My Next Therapist by Race-Here's Why

"Black people don't do therapy; we go to church" is a statement I'd heard countless times in my community. We didn't discuss mental health so much in my family either. And when the concept of therapy did come up, it was doubly dismissed as a privilege purely for the rich, and something only white folks did.

Why the Holidays Are Much Better Spent Alone

During my first Thanksgiving in New York City eight years ago, I was so broke that I didn't even have money to purchase a Greyhound bus ticket to Atlanta to be with my family. I had been in the city for just a few months, so I didn't have many acquaintances.

Revenge Can Destroy You - Member Feature Stories - Medium

I've been consumed with getting revenge on those who've wronged me for years. I'm not talking about the Lifetime movie kind of revenge, where people are pushed off cliffs or thrown out of windows, because I never did anything violent.

How I Learned to Love Wine Again After Being Sexually Assaulted

Photo: Getty Images / Fertnig Before I was assaulted, I loved wine. I would say my relationship with wine might even have bordered on a minor obsession. Before I started my writing career, I had a lucrative gig as a bartender at a high-end hotel.

The Problem With Relationship Goals

I spent most of my teenage and young-adult years worrying about what other people thought of my choices: my clothes, my hair, my eating habits, my job, my relationships. Inevitably, this started to affect my decision-making. I took shitty jobs I didn't want because others thought they were cool; I stayed in relationships long after I should've let them go.

I Ended A 20-Year Friendship | On Our Moon

Her family treated me like one of their own. It was Sandra's mother who put me on birth control, and Sandra's cousins who invited me to their weddings and graduations. I vacationed and celebrated holidays with them. Her family was there for me in ways my family couldn't be.

What Intersectionality Looks Like In An Interracial Relationship

Everything You Need to Know to Decode a Wine Label (and a Cheat Sheet to 8 Wine Regions)

Wine labels tell a lot about the wine inside the bottle but can be difficult to decipher. Here's how to find decode everything from what kind of grape a wine is made of, to where it's from, and a few extras you might not know.

With Wine Costs Increasing, Is Burgundy Still Worth the Price?

Burgundy's iconic wines have become tougher to source as their popularity and demand soar. Here's why they still deserve your attention.

The 10 Best Wines for $15 and Under, According to Retailers | SevenFifty Daily

Retail buyers select the affordable wines that deliver serious quality for the price...

Millennials vs. Gen Z: What We Wish Our Generations Knew Sooner About Wine

You may think some people take wine too seriously, while others might wish it were taken just a bit more seriously by their peers. Maybe it all depends on when you grew up. We asked two members of the WE team to tell us what they wish their generation had known sooner about wine.

Chablis and Me

Assistant Editor Jacy Topps replaces superstition with self-confidence.

Life in Plastic: This Extremely Pink Cocktail Is Pure Barbiecore

Barbie has everything: the clothes, mansion, career, shoes and a new feature-length film. Now, she has her very own cocktail, too.

Drinking Wine Beyond the U.S. Standard

All 50 states produce wine—but how many have you actually tried?

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Fall is here, and that means it's time for all things associated with the season: apple picking excursions, steaming bowls of warming soups and, of course, pumpkin spice everything. It's little surprise then that the stuff has found itself into one of our new favorite cocktails, a pumpkin spice-spiked spin on the oh-so-trendy Espresso Martini, a 90's cocktail that's come roaring back in popularity.

The Rosé Sessions: The Chicks on How-and Why-They Got Into the Wine Business

When the 13-time Grammy-Award winning country music band The Chicks sat down for this interview, they were in Toronto on tour-their first since 2017. Asked how the tour was going, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire both paused, laughed and said in unison, "Well..."

'I Want to Open the Door a Little Wider': 5 Questions With Tiquette Bramlett

"Wine just resonates with me. It goes much deeper than what we just put on the table," says Tiquette Bramlett, president of Compris Vineyard (formerly Vidon Vineyard). The Willamette Valley winery announced her appointment in 2021, making her the first Black woman to oversee an Oregon winery.

How to Pair Wine With Chicken Wings | Wine Enthusiast

Sauced chicken wings are mainstays at house parties, bars, barbecues, brunches, Super Bowl festivities and even wedding receptions. While deep-frying chicken has southern roots in the U.S., coating chicken wings in a spicy butter sauce was reportedly invented in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.

A Seat at the Table

A reported essay on the lack of diversity within the wine industry

Escape to Napa & Sonoma: An Introduction To California's Wine Country

When you hear someone say they're going to wine country, that means they're visiting the magnificent wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma in California.

Beyond Brunch: The Realities of Mother-Daughter Winemaking Teams | Wine Enthusiast

Kim and Margo Longbottom, the mother-daughter winemaking team at Australia's Vintage Longbottom, are planning a Champagne brunch for Mother's Day. "There's a great little restaurant that we frequent with a plant nursery attached out back," says Kim. Margo is looking forward to it. "Their philosophy is whatever they don't grow, they source locally," she says.

Revamp Your Sparkling Wine Selection This Spring

Interview with sommelier Erin Scala on diversity in sparkling wine

Your Guide to Burgundy Wines and How to Pair Them

Located in the central-eastern area of France sits one of my all time favorite wine regions named Bourgogne, also known as Burgundy. There are also small quantities of gamay and aligote grapes also grown in the region. However, when you hear some refer to a white Burgundy, they are talking about chardonnay from the region, while red Burgundy is pinot noir.

Get To Know The High-Quality Wine Made In New Jersey

If you didn't know New Jersey made wine, you wouldn't be alone. Every time I mentioned I was headed to the Garden State for a wine tour, all I heard was: "I didn't know there are wineries in New Je...

Your Guide to Champagne and Sparkling Wines

It's that time of year when everyone wants to enjoy sparkling wine. I think there's something about those bubbles that bring out our celebratory moods. While we often turn to sparkling wine to celebrate, sparkling wine can be enjoyed - you know - just because.

Discover the Wines of Santa Lucia Highlands

California is well known for its beautiful wine regions like Napa Valley and Sonoma. However, there are so many other robust wine appellations within the state, and it's time we get to know one of them.

Thanksgiving In Bordeaux Means Harvest Celebrations

Thanksgiving is about the time-honored tradition of giving thanks and sharing food with family and loved ones. And yes, it is mainly an American holiday, but we certainly aren't the only ones who gather with family and loved ones over food during the season. Thanksgiving in Bordeaux means celebrating the end of harvest season.

Discover DAOU Wine and Vineyards: French-Inspired Wine In Paso Robles, California

When we think of premier wine destinations in America, Napa Valley and Sonoma often come to mind. However, there are other regions throughout California (and the country) that also produce beautiful wines. Paso Robles, which is situated between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is a wine region that is known for its bold red wines.

From Drag Shows to Weeknight Drinks, This Queer Dive Feels Like Home | Wine Enthusiast

"Part of the reason I chose to live in East Atlanta was the proximity to Mary's," says Andi Fitzroy-Fishman about the queer dive bar where she's been a regular for more than 14 years. Fitzroy-Fishman met her wife at Mary's, previously worked part-time at the door, and celebrated her bachelorette party and 40th birthday there.

The Best Wines to Enjoy During the Spring and Summer Months

Flowers have started blooming and the sun is shining longer, which means spring has finally arrived. And that also means summer is right around the corner. Discovering new wines to enjoy when the seasons change is my favorite thing to do.

Discover Bardolino Chiaretto: The Rosé of Lake Garda

Italy has long been a well-established destination for impeccable cuisine and wine, but there are still many Italian regions that yield delicious wine which are largely unfamiliar to Americans. I once took a solo trip to the popular Italian destinations of Rome and Florence to get a feel of the region's food and wine.

How to Pair Rosé with Steak | Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Nothing is quite like a perfectly grilled steak and a glass of wine. However, when the two are paired, we tend to default to the old "red wine with red meat" rule. The thought is that only red wine has the richness and texture to stand up to a steak's robust flavors.

The Women Winemakers of Bordeaux Celebrated Women's History Month in New York

Bordeaux is one of the most esteemed wine regions in the world. And despite women playing an enormous role in the region's rich history of winemaking, it's largely been male-dominated. But as women winemakers are taking the helm in Bordeaux, this is no longer the case.

SNAP Restrictions Are Penalties For Poverty

The Best Rosés Right Now

The soaring popularity of rosé in the U.S. is nothing short of astonishing. With celebrities producing their own brands to rosé wine festivals, the blush wine is everywhere! And with our favorite obsession of updating our Instagram followers on which rosé wines we're sipping on now, its popularity will only increase.

I Survived the First Year of the Trump Presidency By Becoming Obsessed with French Food

After Trump won the election, I-like many Americans-went into a tailspin. The United States had just elected the most vulgar, uncouth, egotistical, and misogynistic man imaginable to the most powerful position in the world. Trump's campaign speeches and rallies were chaotic spectacles full of classless chants and vitriol.

Cannabis-Infused Vodka Hits the Market!

Cannabis-infused products are nothing new. They've been popping up throughout the country as more states legalize marijuana for recreational use. From cannabis-infused protein drinks to kombucha, the use of cannabis in our favorite drinks is not going anywhere. Now vodka lovers and cocktail enthusiasts can be excited about this new trend, too.

Who Gets to Participate in the Cannabis Market (and Who Doesn't)

As the legal cannabis category continues to soar, the culinary and beverage industry has taken note. From cannabis-infused 'wines' to cannabis pairing dinners, the cannabis market size was valued at nearly 18 billion dollars in 2021. By 2028, the U.S. market is expected to reach 40 billion dollars.

LGBTQ+ Authors to Support During Pride Month and Beyond

The Incendiaries ($14, Amazon) was published to critical acclaim. The novel tells a thrilling story about the susceptibility of religion and faith. It can give rise to joy and kindness, but it can also perpetuate diabolical motivations, wreaking havoc everywhere. The South Korean-born American author, R.O.

A love letter to Atlanta, one of the cities that saved America

Dear Atlanta, With the stakes higher than ever, I watched with the entire nation as Georgia went blue for the second time. I've never been so proud to call you my home. It's been a long time coming. According to everything you've been told, it was never going to happen.

Why I Refuse To Keep Paying The Unacceptable Cost Of Being A Black Woman In America Today

Institutional, systemic and structural racism combined with gender discrimination aren't only issues in the workplace, and here's why the mix of racism and sexism causes higher rates of depression in Black women, and what one women is doing about it for herself.

In the Battle to Keep Same-Sex Marriage Visible, "Partner" Can Get in the Way

Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer were together for 40 years before they married in 2007. When Spyer died in 2009 Windsor, was ordered to pay $363,000 in estate taxes because of a federal law called the "Defense of Marriage Act," or DOMA.

WHAT THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA MEANS FOR CANADIAN WOMEN

Despite the lack of women in leadership, it has been women leading the fight within the cannabis movement in Canada, particularly the medical marijuana market. The first medical dispensary in the country was founded by Hilary Black in British Columbia in 1997, and women-led advocacy groups and activists like Tracy Curley have been paving the way for cannabis legalization for decades.

I Used Threesomes To See Fancy Ass Apartments

Annual Sex Issue

Stop Telling People It Will Be Okay Because For Many, It Won't Be

"It's just an election. Why are you people so angry?" "Get over it. Your side lost. Everything will be okay. It's just an election" "Move on. You will be okay." These were the things I read on Facebook after people started to share their worries about a Trump presidency.

Afropunk Black Girl Magic: The Face of Breast Cancer Awareness

Two years ago, Ericka Hart, a 30 year-old sexuality educator was diagnosed with breast cancer. To raise awareness and provide visibility for Black queer women who are battling with or have battled breast cancer, Ericka attended this year's Afropunk Fest in Brooklyn topless revealing her double mastectomy scars.

Sleater-Kinney Feature and No Cities to Love Review

In this issue join us for our coverage of how extremists are fanning the flames of LBGT discrimination under the Gold Dome. We also have an update on an arrest made in an anti-gay attack, photos from the Rustin/Lorde breakfast, a look at Sleater-Kinney's new album and more.

Issa Rae, the New Patron Saint of Prosecco?

When naysayers wanted her to pursue a different style of sparkling, the award-winning actress and writer stuck to her guns. Here's why.

Is There a Right Way to Pair Wine?

Wine consultant and podcast host Jermaine Stone explains why the best wine pairings are about meeting people where they are.

Is There a Right Way to Talk About Wine?

Future 40 Tastemaker Alice Achayo, founder of The Wine Linguist, explains how expanding wine language can help bring more people to the table.

Why Is Orange Wine Suddenly Everywhere?

Doreen Winkler, owner of Orange Glou and skin-contact wine expert, explains everything you need to know about this ancient wine style.

Is the Sober Curious Movement a Fad or Here to Stay?

Zero Proof Nation founder Laura Silverman and Séchy founder Emily Heintz discuss what the growing demand for NA alternatives means for the beverage industry.

Does Napa Valley Have a Problem with Younger Wine Drinkers?

Peter Mondavi Jr. from Charles Krug and Jeremy Carter from Tarpon Cellars discus why Napa Valley is still relevant with younger drinkers.

Frustrated by Traditional Rules, Modern French Winemakers Are Redefining the Industry

Jon Bonné, author of The New French Wine, discusses his book and why he believes French wine is the midst of radical change.

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: Why Expanding Wine Education is Essential for a More Inclusive Industry

Certification programs can be a great experience for those who want to learn more about wine. However, to make wine more accessible, the wine community has been questioning traditional educational programs as they currently are. With pricey courses and curriculum rooted in Eurocentric language, are certification programs creating barriers in the industry?

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: TikTok Is Having a Major Impact on the Wine World

As TikTok's popularity soars, the wine community has taken notice. Winemakers, influencers and experts have become regular creators on the short-video platform. So, this week, we're delving into the platform. What is TikTok? How does it work? And why is the wine community successfully jumping on the bandwagon?

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: Why Carmelo Anthony Got Into the Wine Game

As the football season comes to an end in February, the basketball season heats up. This is the first episode in a two-part series we're calling Wine and Basketball, in which we chat with NBA stars who decided to get into the wine game.

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: The Surprising Location of the Oldest Vine in the World Still Producing...

Wine Enthusiast partnered with Somm TV for this special podcast episode. Jason Wise of SOMM TV and editor Jacy Topps of Wine Enthusiast tell the story of a 270-year-old vine in a very unlikely place that has the amazing distinction of being the oldest vine still making wine.

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: How Restaurants Create Successful Beverage Programs

New episode! 🎙️ Ever wonder what goes into a restaurant's wine selection? ⁠⁠On this week's #WEPodcast, three of Union Square Hospitality Group's Beverage Directors talk with Wine Enthusiast's Jacy Topps about their priorities when selecting wines for their restaurants. Listen Now. ⁠Episode brought to you by Santa Margherita Wines

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: Making the Case for Natural Wine

Love it, hate it, or don't know enough about it to form an opinion, natural wine is here to stay. While the category's popularity has been blowing up over the last several years, some people still have questions and misconceptions about it.

Wine Enthusiast Podcast: The Story of Iris Rideau, the First Black Woman to Own a Winery in the U.S.

Over the last few years, there's been a lot of conversations about diversity and inclusion within the wine industry. While there have been great strides, the industry has a long way to go. But it's people like Iris Rideau that highlight the diverse backgrounds in wine.

Finding the Humor in Online Dating with Bye Felipe

Online dating sites and dating apps have revolutionized the way we connect, date and hook-up with people. Although dating apps have seemingly made connecting easier, they've shed light on a major problem women having been navigating for decades: the abusive retaliation by rejected men.

New York Cocktails: Delve into the Drinking Culture of the Greatest City

New York City is known for its fashion, theater and food scene, but did you know that NYC also has an unparalleled cocktail scene? Yeah, I didn't either. So when I received my copy of New York Cocktails , I was super excited to delve right in.

The Magic Of The Moth, The Storytelling Experienced Loved By Carrie Brownstein And Hannah Horvath

I actually wasn't familiar with The Moth until Hannah Horvath, Lena Dunham's character on the hit television series Girls, decided to take up writing again. The season 5 finale had Hannah performing at The Moth's StorySLAM, where real people tell their true stories live without notes.

Oh! You Pretty Things: Life in Hollywood

Written by Shanna Mahin, Oh! You Pretty Things follows Jess Dunne, a recently divorced California native, as she navigates through the not-so-glamorous side of Hollywood. The third generation Hollywood barista/aspiring chef goes from job to job, usually not giving any notice and is struggling to make ends meet. Make no mistake.

Fluide Is The Make-Up Brand We Need

Wearing makeup is about so much more than accessorizing your look. It is often used as a tool of expression. And while people of all genders have been wearing makeup for decades, it's an industry that has only been marketed to one gender: women.

Style Yourself Unbound

Whether it's a piece of jewelry or spiked stilettos, I love wearing statement pieces. They're bold, fascinating and sometimes, conversation starters. Right now, I'm wearing the Palma ring from . My statement: I'm an unapologetically sexual woman who is not afraid to show it.

10 Fashion Bloggers From Atlanta You Need to Follow

Mattie James, blogging since 2008, is now a full-time fashion and lifestyle influencer in Atlanta. From beauty regimens and seasonal must-haves to blogger tutorials, Mattie James is the go-to blog to help create your stylish lifestyle. Have questions about marketing and branding in the blogosphere? Mattie James shares her experiences in her daily podcast.

Explore Chic French Style with Une Femme Française: The Seductive Style Of A French Woman

New Yorkers are said to be the some of the most fashionable people in the world and I agree. But there's something to be said about the je ne sais quoi of a French woman. Even the most well dressed...

Fashion As Resistance: The Everyday Rebellion

Fashion as a means of protest and resistance has been going on for decades. From Vivienne Westwood's "Destroy" t-shirts to Katharine Hamnett's "I Use A Condom" political tees to Dior models walking to Beyoncé's mix of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists" speech, the fashion industry has always used its platform to raise awareness and provoke.

Lingerie You'll Love For Women, By Women

The partnership between fashion and social awareness is nothing new, but if you're not familiar with Naja Lingerie , you will be impressed. They not only produce a beautifully-designed lingerie collection, but they are challenging the way we market to women and hire them.

Lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer performs show benefiting Pride School Atlanta - LGBT Georgia |...

Pride School Atlanta, one of the first of its kind in the region seeks to create a K-12 nonprofit school for LGBT educators, students and families, and is hoping to raise enough money to open the school this year. School co-founder Christian Zsilavetz has recruited renowned lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer to join the effort and ...

An Inside Look at Fashion, Drag and James Belzer

I usually alternate my plans on Friday nights. One Friday, some friends and I might start out at a cute restaurant in the village and by the end of the night we're tearing up the dance floor. While the next Friday night, my plans for the evening usually are Netflix and takeout.

The Georgia Voice - 8/1/14, Vol. 5 Issue 11

Our 2014 drag issue. We look into the beauty of queen culture. Plus, 10 things to know about Georgia marriage lawsuit, an interview with Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie and more.

Dyke, Trans Marches ensure visibility for everyone at Atlanta Pride - LGBT Georgia | Gay Georgia...

Visibility and inclusiveness have always been two of the main goals of Atlanta Pride and nowhere is this more apparent than during the Dyke March and Trans March. The Dyke March has been an official tradition in Atlanta Pride celebrations for more than 20 years.

Women in Wine

In a continuation of its commitment to honoring Women's History Month, Three Sticks Wines is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved tradition-celebrating women in the wine industry. This year's event promises to be an unforgettable experience as we shine a spotlight on six outstanding women in wine country during an engaging roundtable discussion.

Speakers - International Wine Expo in collaboration with Vinitaly

The Wine Writers' Symposium

Jacy Topps is the print assistant editor at Wine Enthusiast. Prior to joining the team, Jacy was a freelance journalist for nearly a decade, covering wine, food, travel, health, race, and equality. You can find her byline in major publications including Oprah Magazine, Glamour, Slate, Vice, and Cosmopolitan.

ACLU Written Testimony

My article was cited in a written ACLU testimony for a state legislative bill.

Jacy Topps Shares Her Vision of an Evolving Wine World - Thinking Outside the Bottle

Jacy Topps is an award-winning journalist whose byline appears in Wine Enthusiast, Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan and InStyle, among many others. But her career did not follow the classic J-school track. Topps was born in Chicago, raised in Atlanta, and has been living, for the most part, in New York City since 2010 with her now-wife, Nikki.

Jacy Topps

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to add ghostwriting to your mix of freelance writing services, this episode is for you! Jacy Topps joins Jenni to talk about the behind-the-scenes of ghostwriting: How to find those gigs, how much they pay, what you need to watch out for, and why writing under someone else's byline can be gratifying.

Make the most of this weird holiday season

Guest Host With Winemaker

Conversation with VIK winemaker

Pride Community Coffee

September is Virginia Pride month and to help us celebrate is journalist and activist, Jacy Topps.In her recent Business Insider article, she details the progress that has been achieved for the LGBTQ community but illuminates the tenuous nature of legal rulings as political tides shift and new administrations enter.

Chiaretto Rosé Tasting with Jacy Topps

Distinguished journalist and wine writer, Jacy Topps, teams up with Somm Scala to bring a virtual Chiaretto (Italian dry rosé) tasting that you won't want to miss. Jacy Topps has written for such publications as Glamour, Oprah Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Slate, and VICE, covering everything from wine and travel to race and LBGTQ culture.

Born Digital Wine Award: Best Food and Content

Writer Profile: Jacy Topps - Eight Hundred Words

Jacy Topps is a freelance writer based out of New York City and Atlanta. Her work focuses on feminism, relationships, mental health, race, culture, the LGBTQ community, and politics. You can find her work in Slate , Glamour , Oprah Magazine , InStyle , Cosmopolitan, and Allure .

Hi Femme! Jacy Topps | dapperQ | Queer Style

Welcome back to Hi Femme!, dapperQ's sibling visibility project celebrating the incredible contributions that stylish femmes make to queer fashion. This edition, we're featuring Jacy Topps, a freelance journalist and writer published in Bust Magazine, Huffington Post, Posture Magazine and NYC lifestyle blogs. Her writing focuses on feminism, LGBTQ culture, race relations and fashion.

Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking Certification

13-week course in learning the art of rhetorical speech writing