Meet Cheramie Law: Black, Female, and Founder of Texas’ Cheramie Wine #WinePW

I’ve been following the story of Cheramie Law for quite a while now as I loved seeing the story of a black female winemaker from Texas unfold. I was fortunate to really get to know her better as we were were both participants in Texas’ #ShareTheMicNowTx campaign last summer. This former marine and Texas-bred lady has been one of the loudest voices when it comes to supporting the Texas wine industry. I was thrilled when she and partner, Todd Aho, created Salt and Pepper wine back in 2017 as a way to educate the public on Texas wine. The name of the couple’s business was a fun nod to the fact that she is black and partner Todd Aho is white, but that together, they were quite a combo despite being different.

When Cheramie realized that the perception by some outside of the state was not favorable for Texas wine, she made it her mission to spread the world that fine wine indeed was being made in Texas. What began as an educational campaign through social media and in-person tastings evolved into a full scale wine brokerage company. But educating folks on, and selling Texas wine wasn’t the end game. In 2019, Cheramie created her wine brand, Cheramie Wine, with the tag line ‘100% Texas Grown. 100% Texas Made.’ She released her first wine – a Riesling – in 2020, and just literally released her first Montepulciano Rosé.

I’ve been so excited to watch it all unfold and have bought bottles for myself as well as to share with others. Cheramie, I am here for it! 

When the #WinePW crew said the were featuring BIPOC winemakers and winery owners for our February Twitter chat, I instantly knew I wanted to feature Cheramie’s wines. And lucky me, I’m able to share both wines.

2019 Cheramie Wine Riesling, Texas High Plains ($23) + Chicken Curry

The first release from Cheramie Wine was an off-dry Riesling that I purchased the day it was released. The fruit is sourced from the Texas High Plains and the wine clocks in at 11.9% alcohol. The nose with its apricot, ripe apple, pineapple, and citrus blossom aromas just draws you in. Elegant with crisp acidity and balanced by a kiss of sweetness, it is a natural with foods that are rich and that pack a little heat. Enter our chicken curry. With a sauce that featured coconut milk and a touch of spice, I absolutely loved this pairing. The residual sugar in the wine nicely balanced the touch of heat (Thing 2 doesn’t like it too spicy) and the richness of the wine complemented the creamy coconut milk. I’m calling this combo a winner!

2020 Cheramie Wine Montepulciano Rosé, Texas High Plains ($27) + Creamy Shrimp Pasta

As I did with the Riesling, I placed my order for Cheramie’s rosé as soon as it was available. And because I’m a fan of Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo, I was really excited to try this wine. I was instantly drawn in by the orange hue that reminded me of my copper pots and pans. On the nose, I picked up mandarin, strawberry cream, cherry preserves, and a touch of herbs. The palate offers mouthwatering acidity and great structure with a nice balance of herbs and red fruits. Its a rosé with some ‘oomph’ if you will. We paired the wine with a creamy shrimp pasta. And yeah, this pairing was all wrong. I liked each component separately but not so much together. The creaminess of the dish just didn’t work with the wine. So I ended up enjoying the rest of the wine on its own. But since I have more, I definitely have my thinking cap on to see what I’ll try to pair next. I’m thinking maybe BBQ…

And word has it that up next for Cheramie Wine is a Rhône-style white blend that will be bottled in a couple of months as well as a Tinta Cao/Touriga Nacional blend that is resting in barrel. I’ll definitely keep an eye out!

For some of my other favorite black winemakers, check out my articles on Theopolis Vineyards and Abbey Creek Vineyard.

And be sure to check out the BIPOC winemakers the other members of the #WinePW crew are highlighting and what they are cooking.

• Truffle Chip-Crusted Goat Cheese Truffles + McBride Sisters Brut Rosé from Culinary Adventures with Camilla

• The Many Talents of John Legend on A Day in the Life on the Farm

• Family and Wine Go Together for These Black-owned Businesses from My Full Wine Glass

• Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens and Maison Noir OPP by Cooking Chat

• Where’s Linus Sauvignon Blanc with a Shaved Vegetable Salad, Crostini, and Scallops on Cauliflower Rice Risotto on Crushed Grape Chronicles 

• A Taste of Theopolis Vineyards from ENOFYLZ

• Pairing Crab Legs with Carmen Stevens’ Sauvignon Blanc by Our Good Life

• Sipping Wine from the McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Line by Avvinare

• Camins 2 Dreams: When a Chumash Winemaker Meets a Spanish One And Sparks Fly from Gwendolyn Alley, Wine Predator

• And on Somm’s Table,  Nicole will be sharing An Inauguration Day Toast with Bodkin The Fearless Blanc de Blanc and Cauliflower Curry