Famous people like to diversify. They have clothing lines, workout tapes, custom perfumes and reality TV shows. A few of them even like to dabble in wine. Whether they are merely financial backers or vineyard owners, big names like Greg Norman, Bob Dylan, Olivia Newton John, Joe Montana, Gerard Depardieu and “The Godfather of Wine” Francis Ford Coppola are all over the shelves.
Does their fame and fortune make them capable of producing fantastic vintages? Who knows. Does it give them the resources to hire people who can? Definitely.
We are naturally skeptical of “wine as a hobby” production, but were pleasantly surprised when we tried FFC’s 2005 Claret. It runs for around $20 in the grocery store and has a very elegant look on the shelf. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.
The real indicator of technique is taste, not flash, so we’ll get into the nitty gritty details. The blend is made up of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, which creates a lush, rich wine that is neither too light nor too heavy. There are pleasant berry notes and a hint of anise on the finish. It went well with the lamb shoulder we ate that night that was seasoned with thyme. Conclusion: not necessarily a home run, but it scored a RBI for the win.
As for the other celebrities? Consider them on our sip list.
