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Wine and alcohol are some of the most profitable products on the market. They can be even more profitable when owned or endorsed by a celebrity with a focus on wine marketing.
However, not all celebrity wine and celebrity alcohol brands are created equal. There are low calorie wine options, cheap liquor, cooking wine, some that are great for a lamb wine pairing, and more. The most important thing is to find the right quality for the right price. Even the wine alcohol content doesn't matter that much. Read on to see our top picks for the best celebrity wines and best celebrity alcohol brands.
Best Celebrity Wines
With so many types of wine on the market, it's no wonder that celebrities want to be involved. In fact, there are so many varietals that you may need a types of wine chart to keep it straight-especially for Valentine’s day promotion ideas for restaurants.
Before we get to the list, it's important to note that many of these wine brands are owned or invested in by celebrities, but they have limited actual control over the wine. This is mostly a positive thing as expert vintners and sommeliers will be the ones making the decision.
With that in mind, here are the five best celebrity wines:
1. Francis Ford Coppola Wines
Unsurprisingly, this wine brand is owned and operated by noted filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. What sets this apart from other wines, and why it's our top pick, is the quality of the wine. From his winery in Sonoma, Coppola sells a range of red wine types, types of white wine, and even rosé. Though the most recent vintages are only around $40 a bottle, he also offers vintages through his Inglenook wine brand worth more than $200. This aged wine is impressive to even the most discerning connoisseur.
2. Sam Neills' Two Paddocks
Best known for his role as Dr. Grant in the Jurassic Park films, actor Sam Neill owns and operates his own winery in Australia. Two Paddocks wines consistently rank high with reviewers. His 2017 Pinot Noir in particular has impressed many critics with its rich flavors and deep coloration thanks to the tannins in wine. Even without his celebrity, Two Paddocks wine is a brand Sam Neill can be proud of. Anyone taking sommelier classes would certainly enjoy these Aussie treats.
3. Jay-Z's Armand de Brignac
One of the most luxury celebrity wines on the market, Armand de Brignac is a critically acclaimed sparkling wine from France. At $300 a bottle, this wine gives you every penny's worth with a vibrant fruity aroma and layers of complex flavors. Even better, you can further age the wine yourself and get some usage out of your wine storage. This is also a great choice for wine pairing at high-end events.
4. Yao Family Wines
Former NBA superstar and living giant, Yao Ming, is the founder of Yao Family Wines in the Napa Valley. There, he produces a wide range of red, white, and sparkling wines at a very affordable price point. However, this doesn't mean a lower quality. His 2018 Sauvignon Blanc was very popular among critics for its delicate balance between the acid in wine and sugar in wine. It's truly a smooth and enjoyable wine for any fan of white wine.
5. Kyle Maclachlan's Pursued by Bear
Kyle Maclachlan, best known for his roles in David Lynch's Dune and Twin Peaks, launched his own Walla Walla Washington winery in 2005. Over the past 16 years, this winery has put out a number of well-reviewed wines including some rich and flavorful red wines. In particular, their 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon impressed with its delicious and smooth coffee and black licorice taste. This wine is so tasty, you may want to look up the calories in red wine before you finish off the bottle yourself.
Best Celebrity Alcohol Brands
Different types of liquor and brands are even more diverse than wine brands, so there's also more variety among the spirits and quality of the celebrity alcohol brands. Not to mention the different liquor bottle sizes available.
Here are the five best celebrity alcohol brands:
1. Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin
There are many celebrity alcohol brands with both supporters and opponents, but Aviation Gin is one of the few that's nearly universally applauded. Aviation Gin has been on shelves since 2006, but Reynold's bought a stake in 2018. Since then, there has been a surge in the popularity of the gin as Reynold's hands-on approach has paid dividends. It also helps that the gin is of a very high quality and makes a great option for call drinks and all the drinks every bartender should know.
2. Dwayne Johnsons' Teremana Tequila
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is the biggest film actor in the world, both in terms of pay and name recognition. He's also the founder of Teremana Tequila. This small-batch tequila company has made many skeptics change their minds thanks to the smooth taste and smoky finish. It's also a very popular cocktail ingredient, so feel free to add it to your summer cocktails to take them to the next level.
3. Diddy's Ciroc Vodka
One of the most well-known partnerships, famous rapper Diddy (AKA Puff Daddy or P. Diddy) helped rescue the flagging vodka company in the 2000s. With his marketing prowess, Diddy took the company from struggling to sell 40,000 cases a year to being one of the most sought-after vodkas in the world. As for taste, Ciroc is an above-average vodka with a fruity taste. This means it's a good mixer to use in spring cocktails or drink by the shot.
4. George Clooney's Casamigos Tequila
Another premium tequila, George Clooney and his partners launched Casamigos Tequila in 2013. What sets it apart is that it wasn't created to be a huge success on Clooney's name. It was created so that they could create a tequila that matched what they wanted to drink. Turns out, it's also what millions of others wanted to drink. It's a favorite in Hollywood and is a smooth, natural drink that many critics have praised. If you're stocking a bar and looking for a premium tequila, this is a great option.
5. Danny DeVito's Premium Limoncello
It might feel odd picturing Danny DeVito as the owner of a limoncello brand, but it's actually one of the best on the market. It came about after an incident in 2006 when he appeared on The View and claimed he was still a little drunk on limoncello. The very next year he introduced the world to his limoncello and turned a negative into a positive. Even better, this limoncello is delightfully smooth with a soft lemon taste.
That's the (Endorsement) Deal
Celebrity ownership can help take a mid-range brand to the top, thanks to the name recognition. But many of these brands are actually good on the merits of their contents. Give the wine and alcohol listed above a try and feel free to explore other options.
We also recommend checking out some of the best wine aerators, best wine pourers, or best wine decanters. These tools add just the right amount of air into wine, drawing out more complex flavors and ensuring you get the most out of your drink. You can also check out some wine movies or a sommelier documentary to see more of Hollywood's love affair with wine.