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Thursday, March 13, 2008
Former Motown Records exec launches wine label
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As former president of Motown Records, Kedar Massenburg has kept some pretty high-profile company, working with a slew of artists like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, India Arie and Algebra.
But until relatively recently, he’d never had a sip of wine. The reason, the affable Massenburg says, is that he felt intimidated by talk of tannins and vintage years.
Convinced that other African-Americans felt the same way, Massenburg decided to take action. Along with oenologist Jean-Sebastian Robicquet, he has launched the K’orus wine label. The brand, part of Kedar Beverages LLC, held a launch party Saturday at Uptown Lounge.
For info: www.koruswine.com.
Carol Williams, from left, Tracy Grimes and Tammie Dunlap at Uptown Lounge.
“I only had my first glass of wine four years ago,” said Massenburg, whose mother and sister live in the Atlanta area. “It was Yellowtail. It was very simple, (the bottle) just said Shiraz. I was always intimidated by wines, didn’t know about pairing wines. I hate to be made to look stupid.”
Today, having educated himself, Massenburg’s a dedicated cab sav man who enjoys a chardonnay as well. His wine label’s motto, he said, reflects his simple delight at uncorking the vino mystique: “Educate, elevate and enjoy.”
Russell Simmons, left, and Porshla Coleman at Uptown Lounge.
Saturday’s party coincided with the birthday celebrations of actor Boris Kodjoe and actress Cynthia Bailey. The guest list included Kodjoe’s wife Nicole Ari Parker and Anthony Anderson, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, E. Lynn Harris, Eriq La Salle, Sanaa Lathan, Wendell Pierce, Lamaan Rucker and Lynn Whitfield.
Nina Harris, left, and R&B singer Algebra at Uptown Lounge
