On the Little Women: LA aptly-titled episode “Sour Grapes”, Terra Jole announced that she’s a partner in Black Girl Moscato. She says she was scared to tell her friends because “it’s such a controversial name especially coming from a person who is white.” Terra’s Little Women: LA co-star Tonya Banks did not take the news well (she walked out). To make matters worse, Terra asked Tonya to be the face of the wine. (Tonya says she has her own wine so now they’re competitors.) While African-American fans of Little Women: LA are voicing their disapproval on Facebook fan pages, the fact that Moscato (a sweet Italian white wine) has been a popular wine choice among African-Americans, especially women, isn’t a new one.
[Moscato wines are sold at Target, too]
In 2013, Danny Brager, SVP of beverage/alcohol practice at Nielsen (yes, the company tracks retail wine sales too), told NPR that African-Americans are three times more likely to drink Moscato than another table wine. Lil’ Kim rapped about Moscato in 2005. Drake mentioned it o his 2009 mixtape (“Lobster and shrimp and a glass of moscato”). Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes launched her own brand, Miss Moscato. Terra says in the video below, “For me this was not a negative thing. It was a ‘let’s do this together’ I think this is a great business opportunity.” I didn’t see this as a negative but as a great opportunity for everyone.” After Tonya walks out, she confides in Christy, “Everything about it is so wrong.” Little Women: LA airs Wednesdays at 9pm on Lifetime.
