Rock and roll has been a hard liquor game from the very start, but perhaps the tides are changing. As bands continue to explore the world of unconventional merch, they’re dipping their toes into… a big barrel of grapes?
PHOTOS: The Wines l Behind the Scenes at Our Tasting
From classic rockers like
Train “Drops of Jupiter” Petite Sirah
The Police “Synchronicity” Red Blend
Warrant “Cherry Pie” Red Blend
Pink Floyd “Dark Side Of The Moon” Cabernet Sauvignon
Grateful Dead “Steal Your Face” Red Blend
AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” Moscato
The Rolling Stones “Forty Licks” Merlot
Tasting Panel Says: “If you’re a merlot fan, you will not be disappointed by this wine.”
Rating: A Merlot as classic as the lick in “Start Me Up”
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Train “Drops of Jupiter” Petite Sirah
Tasting Panel Says: “This is actually really good, and it reflects a seriousness. This is a wine you probably want to have with a steak.” A panel favorite.
Rating: More addictive than “Hey, Soul Sister”
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The Police “Synchronicity” Red Blend
Tasting Panel Says: “A balanced wine… there’s a softness but it’s got a little Sting to it.”
Rating: The “Message” in this bottle is too understated.
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Warrant “Cherry Pie” Red Blend
Tasting Panel Says: “Would guess this is a Cab-Merlot blend, more Merlot than Cab – it’s giving it that cherry high. Voluptuous, like the woman in the ‘Cherry Pie’ video.”
Rating: Cherry pie > this wine
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Motorhead Shiraz
Tasting Panel Says: “I’m surprised Motorhead puts out a wine, but it’s probably more of a merch item. A fairly grown-up wine – can taste a fruitiness.” A panel favorite.
Rating: A red wine that’s “Aces”
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NEXT: Pink Floyd Cabernet Sauvignon
Pink Floyd “Dark Side Of The Moon” Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Panel Says: “The person who’s going to go buy this, who liked Pink Floyd 30 years ago, feels very comfortable with a Cabernet… But it’s a simple Cabernet, which is the exact opposite of what the brand of Pink Floyd came to represent.”
Rating: Might not be worth your “Money”
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Ratt “Body Talk” Chardonnay
Tasting Panel Says: “Very acidic… it’s bold and it’s powerful, kind of like the song ‘Body Talk.’ But I could see Ratt going more with Boone’s Farm, or maybe Mad Dog 20/20.”
Rating: We’d give it three out of five groupies.
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Grateful Dead “Steal Your Face” Red Blend
Tasting Panel Says: “As soon as you stick your nose in the glass, you definitely get a note that this is a serious wine.” A panel favorite.
Rating: Definitely not just for your Deadhead uncle
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AC/DC “Back In Black” Shiraz
Tasting Panel Says: “The big bass sound and Shiraz: they really work well together. The most appropriate music and wine pairing we’ve tasted.”
Rating: If you’re not badass enough to head-bang to “Back and Black,” don’t even bother with this sharp (albeit one-note) wine.
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AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” Moscato
Tasting Panel Says: “This is for the guy who wants to blast AC/DC at home and his wife gets annoyed, so he gives her this and says, ‘Oh, look who makes this! Let’s blast the song!'”
Rating: A totally solid — not shaky — Moscato
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Whitesnake Zinfandel
Tasting Panel Says: “I’d like to see a little more acid on this… need something that bites you a little more. A short finish and it dies quickly – which doesn’t match the song ‘Here I Go Again.'”
Rating: Tawny Kitaen dancing on the hood of a car > this wine
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Santana Brut Sparkling
Tasting Panel Says: “It lacks something in the back, in terms of acidity.”
Rating: The wine equivalent of modern-day Santana: a little boring
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