In Miami, life can be a little unconventional – even a little counterculture – and this goes for wine as well. We vibe to a different rhythm down here in paradise. So, it makes sense that the Magic City is home to the internet’s favorite funny wine meme-maker, with over 50,000 Instagram followers, who goes by the alias Shitty Wine Memes (“Shitty”).
Some of you may know Shitty’s true identity, while others are left to wonder. They’ve had a presence in the Miami wine community for some time now – about 10 years. Shitty has worked in wine bars, distribution and sales, and other areas of hospitality. You may have seen them presenting a glass of something delicious without even knowing they also just created your favorite sarcastic wine meme.
The Shitty Story
Shitty started their account, @shittywinememes, in September of 2019 as a way to entertain colleagues and friends in the industry. It uses inspiration from wine scenarios encountered while working in hospitality mixed with pop culture references. Who doesn’t love some lighthearted silliness after working a 12-hour floor shift? The account began as something just for fun but has grown into so much more – a monster of a social media personality in the wine world.
“I sometimes take situations I’ve encountered or observed in the industry and turn it into a meme. Seeing people vent and relate to the shitty content is rewarding. The world of wine can be intimidating and comedy adds a bit of levity – like acidity to sugar. It’s nice to be goofy in this space.“
-Shitty Wine Memes
Now, in addition to witty memes, Shitty’s followers and fans can also purchase pins, stickers, and magnets from the Shitty Wine Memes online store. The pins, featuring dinos and aliens and skeletons (and more) sipping fine wine, were created as a spoof on the industry’s oh-so-desirable certification pins of the same weight and status. To make it even more fashionable & feel good to wear these pins when you walk into the next stuffy tasting, know that $1 per pin sold is donated to The Roots Fund.
Shitty in Miami
When it comes to being a part of the Miami wine community, Shitty says their favorite part is that in Miami, we live by the motto, “rosé season forever!” Just kidding (maybe) -they also really love the creativity and good energy of our diverse community here in South Florida.
Along with their success in the meme world, Shitty has also been featured at pop-up markets around town (spoiler alert: you can meet Shitty in person here), and they have even been asked to curate a “meme-themed” winter wine list at Washington, D.C. area restaurant, Reveler’s Hour. Wow! Talk about influence IRL!
Find more memes like this by following @shittywinememes.
As a Miami community, we are so proud of Shitty Wine Memes and all of their accomplishments both online and in real life.
To learn more about Shitty Wine Memes, make sure you follow for lots of laughs on Twitter & Instagram @shittywinememes. Find pins, magnets, and stickers at shittywinememes.com.
Email Shitty at: info@shittywinememes.com
Shitty’s favorite Miami wine shops & spots (in no particular order, and in no way is this list exhaustive):
Jacqueline is a professional wine + travel writer, radio host, wine columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
She is the monthly “Vino” columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, a guest host covering the drinks segment on Linda Gassenheimer’s podcast show, “Food, News, and Views,” and Star Wine List’s Miami Ambassador.
Jacqueline is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist & WSET 3.