Top News

Music legend Roger Taylor says 'I've drunk a lot of it' as he launches new wine
Reach Daily Express | May 9, 2026 9:40 PM CST

Legendary Queen drummer Roger Taylor has confessed he is not a wine specialist despite launching a new rosé bearing the band's name and logo. The premium rosé, branded Cuvée Rock n' Roll, was developed in collaboration with Côte de Provence experts. Although it bears the band's name, guitarist Brian May was not involved in the creation, and this is very much Roger's project. At an exclusive launch party in London's Savoy hotel on April 22, Roger joked: "I wouldn't claim to be an expert about wine, but I would claim to be a lifelong lover, having consumed quite a lot."

The 76-year-old rock icon took part in a Q&A hosted by His friend, comedian Paul Whitehouse, ahead of letting guests taste the tipple, and he admitted the idea to create the drink wasn't even his but rather that of his friend Rupert Clevely, who spent 20 years working as managing director of Veuve Clicquot. "I thought it was a nice thing to be involved with," Roger said.

Probing Roger's involvement in the actual winemaking process Paul joked: "I mean, you didn't take your shoes off [and stamp the grapes]? I hope not. I imagine it's done by sort of wood nymphs, not old rock stars."

Laughing, Roger said: "I oversaw the whole process on it, and it's a wonderful thing. And I think I know a good one from a bad one, and I think this is a good one."

As if to prove his lack of knowledge, he refused to describe the "character" of the wine, which is a 70% Grenache and 30% Cinsault blend, featuring notes of wild strawberry and red berries.

"You're asking the wrong person. I'm not gonna come out with the notes and the balance of this and that. I just think it doesn't offend me in any way, and it's delicious.

"I just wanted it to be a good thing, and hopefully obviously a successful thing...Having drunk an awful lot of it in my life, and having some right old headaches at times, you know the vague parameters you want," he said. "You want a really delicious cold rosé on a summer's day."

Explaining what he was looking for in the finished product, he said: "I always thought rosé in particular should be pale, it shouldn't be too dark. It should taste really nice. It should be very cold.

"There are some wonderful wine makers in Provence that came up with this. I think it's really nice. The bottle is beautiful. I would use it as a water bottle afterwards. [It has] a nice glass topper, It's a beautiful thing," he reflected on the packaging.

"We were tasting it in the vineyards, etc, but really seeing the finished product in this beautiful bottle, and I guess that's the most rewarding bit so far," Roger reflected.

Queen Rosé is available now in Waitrose and Sainsbury's for £18.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK