The celebrity wine market is booming! Influencers, music icons and even Michelin-starred chefs have lent their names to bottles.
But here’s the real question… Are they any good?
That’s why our very own Jonny from Wine Night In has very generously volunteered to host his own private wine tasting to try out wines from three different celebrities.
In this article, we break down Gary Barlow’s Malbec, Gordon Ramsay’s Intenso Rosso, and Snoop Dogg’s Cali Red. But before we dive into each of these celebrity wines, let’s answer the big question…
How much involvement do celebrities actually have in their wine labels? 🤔
How Involved are Celebrities in their Celebrity Wines?
When it comes to celebrity wines, not all stars are created equal. Their involvement ranges from simple endorsement to full-scale ownership.
Some celebrities are super involved like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The couple actually bought an entire Château (Château Miraval) in Provence to create their own wine.
Then you’ve got those that are halfway-between. Like Kylie Minogue, for example. She partnered with established winemakers and had some influence over the final blend.
Finally, you have those with very little involvement. 50 Cent is an example. These celebrities mostly just lend their name and brand to an existing drink for endorsement.
General rule of thumb is that the more the celebrity is genuinely invested, the better the wine often tastes!
Private wine tasting. From the comfort of home.
Hire a sommelier for a private wine tasting at-home. Wine Night In isn't a stuffy lecture. It's a social experience with a focus on fun, not just learning.
Gary Barlow’s Malbec
To kick off this wine tasting at home, we’ve got Gary Barlow’s red. It’s a straight-up 100% Malbec coming all the way from the Western Cape of South Africa.
It’s rich and decadent, boasting lovely flavours of ripe cherry, plum, and blackberries, with a nice hint of spice on the finish.
Our volunteer Jonny tasted a 2023 vintage with 12% ABV, and he picked it up for a budget-friendly £8.
His verdict?
“It’s a bit boring, it’s not very complex, but it is really drinkable. There’s not that crazy residual sugar that you see in some cheap red wines. Just a solid red wine.”
Gordon Ramsay’s Intenso Rosso
You’d expect nothing less than high-quality from a multi-Michelin-starred chef like Gordon Ramsay, and this is an Italian red wine blend he developed with the renowned Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini. Ideal for a red wine tasting party or an Italian wine tasting one!
It’s a cross-regional mix, pulling grapes from Tuscany and Abruzzo. The blend uses Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Merlot. It’s got depth and freshness.
It has a gorgeous, intense ruby-red colour, offering aromas of fresh red and black fruit, plus a hint of flint, all wrapped up in an approachable texture. This bottle came in at £8.75.
Jonny’s verdict: “Spicy. That’s nice. Better than Gary’s. It’s got more complexity than Gary’s. Much bolder tannins as well, which you’d kind of expect from a Sangiovese. That is a good wine… I’d have no problem in serving that to some guests.”
Snoop Dogg’s Cali Red
And to finish our wine tasting party menu, the “D.O.G.G.” himself presents the Cali Red, a dense California wine blend.
Snoop Dogg’s celebrity wine features Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Tannat, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The label promises strong black and blue fruit, complemented by sweet, slightly candied red fruit and toasted oak. This was also the priciest of the three celebrity wines we tasted, coming in at £11.50.
Jonny’s verdict: “Oh my god, you couldn’t drink a lot of that. Wow. The candied fruit worried me. It is really sweet. It’s a dry wine, but by nature, just somehow… it is crazy, crazy sweet. For £11.50 you can get a lot better. My advice is if you’re going to go for a celebrity endorsed wine… don’t go Snoop Dogg.”
Final Verdict: Which Celebrity Wine is Best?
After the uncorking, sniffing, and necking, the clear champion in this celebrity red wine battle was the Gordon Ramsay Intenso Rosso.
- 🥇 1st Place: Gordon Ramsay Intenso Rosso: A great, bold, and complex red wine that hits all the right notes.
- 🥈 2nd Place: Gary Barlow Malbec: A solid, perfectly drinkable red. A good safe choice.
- 🥉 3rd Place: Snoop Dogg Cali Red: Described as too “sickly” and “crazy, crazy sweet.” A definite pass.
So, if you’re looking for a celebrity wine to impress at your next wine tasting dinner party, the chef knows best!
Celebrity Wine Tasting
Fancy your own celebrity wine-focused private wine tasting? Are you planning a wine tasting dinner party and want to make it memorable? How about an anniversary wine tasting or birthday wine tasting?
Good news! Wine Night In has you covered.
Hire a sommelier for an at-home wine tasting. You get two hours of activities, wine tips, and tasting games. It’s ideal for groups of 4–16, from just £30 per person. There’s no prep, clear-up, or glasses needed. Just enjoy the night!
Book your Wine Night In for an easy and memorable evening with your friends and family.
