If there’s one thing I’ve always known to be true, it’s that Dolly Parton can do no wrong.
She’s an incredibly talented singer-songwriter, she plays guitar, she’s got acting chops, she’s co-written a novel with James Patterson (and has also penned memoir and cookbook), she has her own theme park, she started a philanthropic foundation, she helps children get into reading, and was an uncredited producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
More recently the 78-year-old from Tennessee launched a cookware range, a pet line (Doggy Parton), and a dazzling cosmetics business. Honestly, is there anything she can’t do?
If you were thinking she doesn’t sell wine, you might want to think again, as the Queen of country music has just launched a new alcohol range known as Dolly Wines.
There are four wines in the collection, but only two bottles are currently available in the UK: a French Rosé and a bottle of Prosecco.
Those keen to get their hands on the booze can do so at Asda, where they cost £9.50 and £11 respectively.
The prosecco is described as being a ‘deliciously fresh and zingy sparkling wine’ with aromas of peach and apricot and flavours of apple and pears. While the rosé is said to be ‘delicate and romantic’ with a ‘soft, round palate featuring strawberry, citrus, a touch of dried sage and underscored by a subtle salinecharacter, finishing with a gentle acid line and lingering white strawberry flavours’ — that’s certainly quite a mouthful!
As a Dolly fan and a pink wine drinker, I knew I had to get my hands on these bottles, and I successfully managed to nab one of each to try. So after working 9-5, I stumbled into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of Dolly’s ambition.
Now, I’m not a wine expert by any means, I’m also not a wine snob — I’ll drink a glass of chicken wine just as happily as I would a glass of Whispering Angel.
I enjoy Kylie wine, and I also like a bit of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Miraval, so it’s safe to say that I’ve got nothing against a celebrity wine, and I reeeeeaaaaaalllly wanted to love Dolly’s drinks.
But when I said Dolly could do no wrong, it turns out I was wrong. There is one exception to this rule, and it’s making wine.
These drinks are marketed as ’embodying Dolly’s joyful essence in every sip’, but I couldn’t taste the joy.
Dolly is vibrant, sparkly, caring, and glamorous. She’s sunshine in human form and that’s something that’s downright impossible to bottle — so it’s unsurprising that these wines fall a little short of their lofty aspirations.
The rosé was the nicer of the two products, and while it wasn’t bad per se, it wasn’t very exciting to drink. It reminded me a little of wine after ice cubes have been left to melt in it.
If I were to have it again I’d try jazzing it up by mixing in some lemonade or pink soda to sweeten it up.
The prosecco, unfortunately, was an instant no for me as it was far too dry for my tastes. I couldn’t manage more than a few sips.
But as I said, I’m no wine expert.
Rob Buckhaven, Metro’s drinks editor is though, and he also wasn’t particularly bowled over by the beverages. Here’s his verdict…
‘“Hi y’all”, says it all, really. Dolly’s new range of a Kylie-style prosecco from northern Italy and rosé from the Pays D’OC are well-meaning, appealingly packaged wines with glimmers of the easygoing charm of the songstress herself. Accolade Wines are the company behind them, who produce some big-named, commercial wines from Australia.
‘Are Dolly’s drinks world-beating wines that are shifting the dial on quality? Heck no. But then, they’re not meant to be. Dolly Prosecco is light and frothy with clean apple and pear flavours and an appealing lick of zestiness. Dolly Rosé is light coral-coloured, dry and simple with some teasing notes of tangerine and satsuma. Unlike Dolly though, they’re not changing the world anytime soon, or ever.
‘Are they Kylie-standard? No, again. Kylie’s team selects some pretty reputable houses to produce her wines, like ZONIN 1871 for her super popular Prosecco.
‘Dolly Wine is the wine collab we didn’t know we needed, and still don’t, but possibly might in time…’
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