A Bougie-On-a-Budget Holiday Gem: Why Wine Pairing for the People Belongs Under Every Tree This Season

Every holiday season, there’s that one gift that feels both unexpected and undeniably perfect—the kind of present that makes people say, “Oh… you getme.” For me this year, that gift is Sha McCoy’s Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond.

Wine Tasting with Gabrielle Union - Doing the Most with Phoebe Robinson

As someone who loves a good glass of wine but also recognizes that I am not a sommelier—and honestly have no desire to pretend—this book feels refreshingly real. It’s smart without being stuffy, educational without talking down to you, and rooted in a cultural narrative we rarely see centered in the wine world.

A New Lens on Wine—One That Finally Includes Us

When most people think wine pairing, they picture European vineyards, soft focus lighting, and a dining table that probably costs more than my first apartment. What we don’t usually picture is Africa, the diaspora, or the foods many of us grew up with—yet that’s exactly where Sha McCoy takes us.

Her approach is deeply intentional: she frames wine through an African lens, reconnecting it to ingredients, flavors, and traditions that feel familiar, soulful, and personal. She shows that wine culture isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s woven through our stories, our migrations, our celebrations, and yes, our holiday tables too.

For the Aspiring Connoisseur… and the People Who Love Them

This book is tailor-made for that friend who calls themselves “bougie-adjacent,” the ones who love a good brunch mimosa but still get nervous ordering wine at a fancy dinner. It’s also perfect for:

• the chef in your life who’s always experimenting

• the new homeowner stepping into their “grown and sexy” hosting era

• the traveler who wants to understand culture through taste

• the person who already thinks they’re a wine expert (but could use a little elevating)

McCoy blends wine knowledge with cultural history and a wanderlust-worthy sense of discovery, making every page feel like a passport stamp.

A Coffee Table Staple That Starts Conversations

Beyond being a beautiful guide to pairings and recipes, Wine Pairing for the People is very much a coffee table book—the kind you leave out intentionally. The presentation is refined and visually inviting, making it the perfect conversation starter when friends, family, or your favorite bougie guests stop by.

It’s the kind of book people pick up, flip through, and immediately comment on:

“Wait… wine and African cuisine? Tell me more.”

Its pages remind us that fine dining, bold flavors, and luxury experiences aren’t limited to European traditions. There is a deep, historical connection between global cuisine and African ingredients, spices, and foodways—and Sha brings that to the forefront with elegance and pride.

This is a book for the person who loves to host, who thinks of their home as an extension of their personality, who appreciates artful storytelling and cultural depth in their décor. It’s introspective, aspirational, and undeniably stylish.

Culture Meets Culinary Curiosity

What I love most is how the book normalizes seeing ourselves—our foods, our spices, our heritage—reflected in a space that often excludes us. It challenges the idea that wine belongs only in Michelin-star restaurants or European textbooks. Instead, Sha invites us to explore pairings that make sense for our tables, our palates, and our stories.

And yes, there are recipes. Beautiful ones. Recipes that make you want to pour a glass, turn on your favorite playlist, and elevate dinner—even if dinner is happening on a Wednesday night between errands.

A Holiday Gift That Says “I Thought of You”

Wine Pairing for the People isn’t just a book—it’s an experience. It’s the kind of gift that inspires someone to see the world differently and see themselves differently in it. Whether you’re gifting it to a wine lover, a foodie, or that one bougie cousin who swears they only drink “dry reds,” this is the holiday flex that still feels warm, thoughtful, and culturally anchored.

This season, give the gift of taste, travel, culture, and a little touch of grown-up magic.

Sha McCoy has created something we didn’t even know we needed—but once you open it, you realize it’s the coffee table book your sitting area needs ASAP.