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Basketball Royalty Ventures into Wine Industry with Support from Renowned Winery
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The connection between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and wine continues to solidify today with the official launch of a new wine from VII(N) The Seventh Estate, a wine brand founded in 2022 by Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann. Today they announce their collaboration with Robert Mondavi Winery, a leader in the wine industry since they were founded in 1966. Along with RMW chief winemaker Geneviève Janssens, the first collaboration release with Robert Mondavi Winery hits the market today.
A multi-year collaboration between the two entities, kicking off with as its first offering, has at its core the shared commitment to winemaking excellence and category modernization, blending the legacy and winemaking prowess of Robert Mondavi Winery with the mission of VII(N) The Seventh Estate. Robert Mondavi Winery is revered for a decades-long, rich heritage and acclaim for crafting exceptional wines that represent both innovation and uncompromising quality. VII(N) The Seventh Estate is driven by a mission to bring new voices into the world of wine, offering premium wines while connecting perspectives and individuals from all walks of life.
Ode to Soul is a proprietary red wine that embodies the essence of true collaboration between three dynamic connoisseurs with diverse perspectives on wine. Crafted by Robert Mondavi Winery’s Chief Winemaker Geneviève Janssens in partnership with Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann, Ode to Soul is the culmination of each contributor’s unique experiences, distinct palate and creative processes. Drawing from the world-renowned To Kalon Vineyard in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA, Ode to Soul showcases a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Petit Verdot. A harmonious blend of rich heritage and future-focused innovation, the 2021 vintage offers a wine experience that is both exhilarating and powerful, yet elegant and classic.
“We are proud to introduce a partnership with Robert Mondavi Winery aimed to produce incredible wines, prioritize innovation in the industry and foster a community,” said Carmelo Anthony, co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate. “The seamless partnership between VII(N) The Seventh Estate and Robert Mondavi Winery is reflected in our inaugural wine, ‘Ode to Soul,’ and is a testament to both the power of collaboration and our commitment to expanding horizons in the wine space.”
Asani Swann, co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate, adds “This is a pivotal moment for the wine category, and we are proud to be at the forefront, creating top quality wines and helping to build a more inclusive industry.”
(SRP: $275)
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All About Kylie Jenner’s New Vodka Soda Brand, Sprinter: Where You Can Buy it Online
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Kylie Jenner wants you to crack open some refreshing (spiked) soda this summer with the debut of her canned sparkling vodka drink, Sprinter. The beverage marks The Kardashians star and entrepreneur’s move into the alcohol space, sparking debate on whether her drinks will create competition between her and her sister Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand, 818 (though Kylie told Rolling Stone her brand is more like the “bubbly, juicy, and playful little sister”).
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Expect perfect, pre-mixed flavors from the first sip of Sprinter — no cocktail books required. The beverage comes in a pack of eight with four different flavors to choose from, including grapefruit, lime, peach and black cherry. After launching in April, you can now buy Sprinter online from Total Wine, GoPuff, Kroger and Instacart — just in time for summer.
Keep reading to pick up your own pack of Sprinter to drink (responsibly) at home.
$19.99
$19.99
$19.49 $23.99 19% off
Each can of Sprinter is made from real fruit juice infused with vodka landing it at 4.5% ABV. You’ll receive eight, 12-ounce cans in a variety of flavors. All of the above sites let you order Kylie Jenner’s Sprinter vodka soda online, with shipping and delivery to your door.
The TV personality joins the growing list of Hollywood and musician-owned alcohol brands including Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Blanco Tequila, Luke Bryan’s Two Lane Lagers and Cardi B’s Whipshots.
Just like her skincare brand , Jenner says she worked closely through the development and creation of the product to ensure it would be something she drinks in her daily life.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best tequila brands, musician-owned wines and porthole drink infuser.
Introducing Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane Rum’s Limited-Edition Hackney Diamonds Bottle
The limited edition gift box from The Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane Rum includes both a Hackney Diamonds tour bottle and a regular bottle of their rum.
The Rolling Stones once sang, “You can’t always get what you want,” but if you are a fan of theirs, you can lay your hands on a unique slice of Stone’s memorabilia. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers announced they are releasing a limited edition bottle of their Crossfire Hurricane Rum to commemorate its Hackney Diamonds tour that kicked off April 28 in Houston.
Priced at a MSRP of $125, the limited-edition collection features a deluxe box set including the Hackney Diamonds bottle—a sleek black gloss glass container with a unique gold top—adorned with the iconic Rolling Stones tongue logo, and a flagship bottle of Crossfire Hurricane Rum; all encased in a keepsake box. The brand is also hosting concert post-show parties in select cities and offering a sweepstakes for fans the chance to win two VIP tickets to The Rolling Stones show in Santa Clara, California on July 17, 2024.
Launched in November 2023, the rum is the first product owned by The Rolling Stones in their seven decades. Born from a partnership with Universal Music Group and Socio Ventures, Crossfire Hurricane Rum takes its name from the first line of their hit Jumping Jack Flash. According to the brand, it is a testament to the band’s lifelong love of rum, which began in the 1970s and continues today.
It’s also a smart move into a rum market that is booming these days. According to a recent report from Market Data Forecast the global rum market recently hit $16.5 billion with forecasts showing it hitting $22.54 billion. As the second most popular spirit on the market drinkers are continually looking for interesting new products.
“I’ve visited loads of rum distilleries in the Caribbean – I’ve been to the most rundown and the most ancient ones in Barbados and Jamaica that are remarkably still running on Victorian equipment,” says Mick Jagger, the frontman of The Rolling Stones. “Very interesting to discover how rum is made and how it’s blended.”
The birth of Crossfire Hurricane Rum coincided with another big announcement from The Stones. That they were releasing their first album of new material in almost two decades, Hackney Diamonds. The album took the charts by storm, building a buzz for all things Rolling Stones. That energy flowed towards their rum, leading to record-setting sales in online sales and the brand signing a deal to roll it out in retail across the United States with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
The limited-edition Hackney Diamonds edition from Crossfire Hurricane Rum from The Rolling Stones.
By releasing a limited-edition bottle, Crossfire Hurricane Rum hopes to build on the momentum of the Stones’ sixteen-city summer North American tour. In a crowded marketplace, the brand hopes that having The Rolling Stones’ distinctive tongue and lips logo emblazoned on the label will make the product stand out on the shelf.
“This commemorative box set of Crossfire Hurricane Rum is not just a celebration of our US tour, but a toast to the incredible journey we’ve shared with our fans,” said The Rolling Stones.
The celebratory box set will be available at select retailers across the country and will be introduced in markets to coincide with the bands stops during their tour. Additionally, concertgoers in the United States can purchase the gift set via in-stadium digital billboards and have it delivered directly to their homes vis ReserveBar.
Made from a blend of rums from Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic, it exhibits flavors of pineapple, caramelized bananas, and mellow oak with a slight hint of the funkiness anyone would expect from The Stones. It has been aged for up to five years in charred oak barrels before being blended abroad and bottled in the United States at The Point Distillery. The rum regularly retails for $37 and is available for purchase at CrossfireHurricane.com.
Wine Press: Introduction to 6 Randomly Selected Red Wines with Great Taste
Most weeks, this wine column highlights specific wines that have something particular in common.
Affordable white wines from France’s Rhone region.
Nero D’Avola wines from Sicily for under $25 a bottle.
This week, the focus is a bit broader.
Yes, they all have one thing in common. They’re all red wines.
But beyond that, they cover a wide range from around the world – a cabernet sauvignon from Argentina, pinot noirs from Oregon and Chile.
But all these wines do have one more thing in common – they’re all fantastic. And they all taste great now.
Timing is everything when it comes to wine, music, sports or even comedy. If you’re a split second too late, the song doesn’t sound quite right, your team just missed the game-winning shot or perhaps no one’s laughing at your joke.
The timing isn’t anywhere near that fast when it comes to opening a wine. Instead of matter of a seconds, we’re usually talking about months or years.
Many times, certain red wines get better with age. But if you wait too long – or not long enough – some red wines just don’t taste right.
In most cases, wines that should have been opened months or years earlier taste flat, dull or sometimes (worst case scenario) even vinegar like.
These six red wines recommended this week taste perfect right now.
Hope you enjoy.
WINES TASTING NOTES
2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) ($9.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
Region – Mendoza, Argentina
Grape – 100% cabernet sauvignon
Tasting Notes – What makes this wine so great right now is how fresh and lively its light, bright fruit flavors taste right now. Sure, you could wait a few months to drink this wine. But the beauty of this wine made with organic grapes is its youthful energy and flavors, which include hints of fresh raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant.
2019 Ritual Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir ($20 Suggested Retail Price)
Region – Casablanca Valley, Chile
Grape – 100% pinot noir
Tasting Notes – Like the Argentinian cabernet sauvignon recommended above, what I love about this pinot noir from neighboring Chile is its light, bright character. Instead of trying to bowl us over with powerful, intense flavors, this delightful wine has a delicate, lighter-than-air finish with floral hints and raspberry-like flavors and aromas.
2021 Esporao Riserva Red Wine ($23 SRP)
Region – Alentejo, Portugal
Grape – 25% Alicante bouschet, 25% trincadeira, 20% touriga nacional, 15% aragonez, 15% cabernet sauvignon
Tasting Notes – This rich, elegant wine from Portugal’s Alentejo region in the southern central part of the country hits all the right notes – it’s delicate but not too light, fresh but not too fruity. Flavorwise, this understated red wine has hints of wild blackberries and pepper mixed with hints of toasted almonds and black licorice.
2021 Tapestry Red Blend ($25 SRP)
Region – Paso Robles, California
Grape – 72% cabernet, 16% syrah, and 12% petite sirah
Tasting Notes – Napa and Sonoma Valley often steal the spotlight when to comes to great wine regions in California. But if you look further afield, you can often find great, affordable wines like this one from Paso Robles, which is located further south roughly halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles. This charming wine has many delightful flavors, including subtle hints of cedar, dark chocolate, blackberry and black pepper.
2020 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva ($30 SRP)
Region – Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Grape – 90% sangiovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon
Tasting Notes – This luxurious red wine from Italy’s Chianti region illustrates why so many of us love red wines from this part of Tuscany. Many great Italian red wines can cost a fair amount of money. That’s what makes many Chianti Classico wines such a great deal. In many cases, you can find rich, voluptuous wines like this one that don’t cost a fortune. In this particular case, the wine’s flavors are soft and vibrant with hints of cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate.
2019 Appassionata Allegro Pinot Noir ($95 SRP)
Region – Williamette Valley, Oregon
Grape – 100% pinot noir
Tasting Notes – In music, the word “allegro” refers to a piece that’s “bright and lively.” The same description could easily apply to this entertaining pinot noir from Oregon’s outstanding Willamette Valley, which is famous for producing outstanding pinot noirs like this particular gem. Here, the flavors are earthy yet elegant, with hints of cherry, blackberry and plum that last at least half a minute after each sip.
UPCOMING WINE EVENTS
Pairing Perfectly – Table & Vine will host a wine tasting focusing on pairing wines with different foods. The free event will be held Saturday, May 11 from noon to 2 pm at Table & Vine, 1119 Riverdale Street, West Springfield. To register for the event or for more information, please visit Table & Vine’s website.
Rose Wine Open House – Provisions Mill District location is hosting a complimentary wine tasting with emphasis on rose wines taking place on Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 4 pm at 65 Cowls Road, Amherst location. Entry tickets cost $25 per person. Further details about the event are available on the Provision’s website.
Enjoy your drink!
Wine Press by Ken Ross is featured on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section each Thursday.
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Warning for British Fans: The Strength of German Beer
STORY: The British government is warning its
soccer fans against ‘stronger’ German beer
ahead of the Euro 2024 championship in Germany
Location: Munich, Germany
Sonny, a British football fan, opines,
“I would say if you’re going to drink German beer it has to be in this glass, (shows stein) it has to be double the size… it just gets you drunk quicker. It’s fantastic. It’s crisp. It’s definitely a bit stronger.”
German beer is served in steins, which are almost twice the size of British pints.
Source: Drinkaware
Average beer strength in Germany is also between
4.7% and 5.4%, while British beer is closer to 4.4%
(Kean, British football fan)
“I mean, I think it’s pretty strong, the German beer. But you still got a few a few percentage like craft ones in London. I mean it’s larger, the steins, obviously are larger, aren’t they? So, drink responsibly, as they say.”
Euro 2024 will take place across
Germany from June 14 to July 14