FORGET fast cars and designer handbags. If you’re a celebrity, the latest must-have is your own wine label.
This week, Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay launched his debut range of vinos, while last month singer Gary Barlow surprised fans with a new line of organic tipples.
But when it comes to the taste, which famous-name swigs are celeb corkers – and which are more Grape That?
Here, wine expert Helena Nicklin, from TheThreeDrinkers.com, gives her verdicts – and marks out of five.
BANKS BROTHERS, Syrah Mourvédre
(£7 per 250ml can, banksbrothers.co.uk)
MICHELIN-starred TV chef Tommy Banks has teamed up with his brother James to launch a limited-edition range of premium wine in cans.
Tinned vino can be gimmicky, but The Great British Menu host’s offering gets it right and the contents hit the spot.
This spicy South African red is powerful and fragrant, and while admittedly it’s not cheap, it is a proper plonk.
A gorgeously gluggable, high-quality tipple and half the price it would be in a pub.
SCORE: 5/5
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KYLIE, Prosecco Rosé
(£11, asda.com)
WITH its eye-catching glass bottle covered in tiny hearts, could any wine be more Kylie than this pale and pretty pink Prosecco?
The Princess of Pop’s creation is made with the glera grape and a splash of pinot noir, and is a lively fizz with very subtle pear and raspberry notes.
Not so notable that you can’t get it out of your head, though. But this bubbly is perfectly quaffable and a good fun flute.
It would be a great one to pop open at a party.
SCORE: 3/5
IAN BOTHAM, 78 Series Pinot Noir
(£15, winedelivered.co.uk)
CRICKET legend Sir Ian “Beefy” Botham takes his wine seriously and has delivered an awesome autumnal pinot from New Zealand that is sure to bowl you over.
Silky and spicy, packed with morello cherry and plum flavours, this is a fab wine to warm you in the dark and cold.
It does come in at the pricier end of the celeb wines, but for me the upgrade in complexity and nuance justifies it for a decadent bottle of this calibre.
SCORE: 4/5
PHILLIP SCHOFIELD, Nero di Troia
(£7.99, ocado.com)
WINE fan and This Morning sofa favourite Phil has gone quirky on his vino choices with this Italian Nero di Troia – a red made from a lesser known Italian grape, which was chosen by the man himself.
The flat, eco-friendly bottle is also a break from the norm – it has been designed to fit through your letterbox and reduce the carbon footprint.
Earthy with notes of plum and grilled meat, this is best with red meat or cheese to dial down its bitter kick.
SCORE: 2/5
GORDON RAMSAY, Vibrante Bianco
(£10, tesco.com)
CHEF Ramsay has smashed it with his new range of unintimidating food-friendly tipples.
Top global wine consultants have helped him craft his new range of quality plonks, and it shows in the drinking.
This delicious Italian bianco blend has a bit of everything, from fresh pineapple and apricot to white blossom and a lick of citrus.
Crisp, classy and beautifully balanced with a cracking personality. A deeply pleasing, lovely drinking, triumphant all-rounder.
SCORE: 5/5
GRAHAM NORTON’S, Own Rosé Marlborough
(£9.50, tesco.com)
CHAT show star Graham was a pioneer of the celebrity wine trend and his Own Rosé has been a bestseller in stores ever since it was launched.
This 2020 vintage offering from him is a refined, elegant rosé, channelling classic Provence style, but with added fruit soul in the mix from the Marlborough region of New Zealand.
Pale pink with a pop of cherry on the palate, this great pinot noir-based number slips down very easily!
SCORE: 4/5
INVIVO x SJP, Sauvignon Blanc
(£12, winedelivered.co.uk)
IT’S no secret that Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) loves her wine.
In her vineyard collaboration with well-known wine makers Invivo, the actress – best known as Carrie Bradshaw – adds a dollop of sass and sweetness to her New Zealand sauvignon blanc.
On glugging the wine, it is vibrant, zingy and packed with notes of exotic fruit.
Bold and full of tropical flavour, it’s not a white for the faint-hearted. But a glass is still very satisfying. One for sweeter vino lovers.
SCORE: 4/5
GARY BARLOW, Organic White Wine
(£8, morrisons.com)
LIKE the Take That crooner himself, Gary’s organic white is perfectly polite.
This easy-drinking glugger is made with a blend of organic Spanish grapes and the end result is crisp and aromatic with a pop of peach on the palate.
A perfectly decent, inoffensive wine that’s well made – it’s a bonus that it’s organic and well priced, too.
A nice aperitif or “sip it on the sofa” wine, but unlike some of Gary’s biggest chart hits, it’s not terribly memorable.
SCORE: 3/5
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