Alcohol and activism

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Need a wine to celebrate a particularly gay old time?

Below are four wines that are proud to be part of the LGBT community. The owners of each of the following wines donate a portion of their sales to charities and organizations that benefit the gay community. In short — the more you drink, the more money gets donated.

The wines range from sparkling whites to dark reds, perfect for pairing with your romantic pasta dinners (provided, of course, it is not of the Barilla brand).

Égalité

Pop open the bubbly and celebrate your sexuality with Égalité.

Égalité is the French word for “equality.” The sparkling wine is perfect for gay weddings, anniversaries or engagement celebrations.

A portion of proceeds from sales of Égalité are donated to LGBT organizations every business quarter. Fans of the wine select the recipients of the donations by voting on the company’s Facebook page. Thus far, Égalité has raised more than $15,000 since its January 2013 launch.

Égalité sells at about $20 a bottle and is currently available only in the United States. However, the company soon hopes to branch out into Canada.

“We’d love to [come to Canada]. First we have to get the word out to more of our friends up north!” the company tweeted to a Canadian follower.

Barefoot Wine

While not marketed as a gay wine, the company has been donating to LGBT charities since 1988 and is partnered with more than 100 gay organizations, including GLAAD, InterPride and GALA Choruses.

“Diversity is a passion close to our heart and sole” a statement on Barefoot’s website reads. “Everybody has the right to get Barefoot and have a great time. We believe in doing that with whomever you want.”

Barefoot is the biggest company on the list, selling more than two dozen types of wines globally. The prices vary based on the wine, but most are in the $11 to $20 range.

Same Sex Meritage

Eat, drink and be married. This is a catchphrase Matt Gold and Josh Stein, founders of Same Sex Meritage suggest all people should live by.

The company’s message is to protest against the prohibition of gay marriage across the globe.

“We will dispute [marriage bans] until all loving and committed couples enjoy the freedom to marry,” its website reads.

Same Sex Meritage donates a portion of every sale of its $25 wine to Freedom to Marry, a group that advocates for marriage equality in the US.

Genetic pinot noir

Genetic wine is the first wine to be distributed by Stand Tall Wine — a company run by a lesbian couple out of their house in the Napa Valley.

Genetic wine is a pinot noir, and a percentage of its sales are donated to the LGBTQ Connection, an organization that promotes inclusiveness of gay communities in the Napa Valley area.

As for the name, Genetic’s website explains, “No one chooses whom they are attracted to, or whom they fall in love with — it’s genetic.”

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Ah, alcohol and activism, these are a few of our favourite things.

Other than Barefoot, the aforementioned wines are available only in the United States. But hopefully soon they’ll make their way north — or you can make your way to them!

So ease that guilty conscience and pour yourself another glass. After all, the more you drink, the more goes to charity!