Blues legend B.B. King launches wine

Legendary blues artist B.B. King has followed in the footsteps of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie by launching his own line of wines.

Blues Power: B.B. King

87-year-old musician has collaborated with Bodega Santa Cruz in Almansa in southeastern Spain to release a pair of wines in the US market.

B.B. King Signature Collection Red 2010 is a Crianza made from Garnacha, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, while B.B. King Signature Collection White 2011 is made from 100% Verdejo.

Both are being distributed in the US by Connecticut-based importer Votto Vines, with the wines making their debut in Memphis and Nashville this week.

The B.B. King Signature Collection

Bodega Santa Cruz has been producing wine for over 60 years in Almansa, a sub-region within Castilla La Mancha, known for its red-fleshed Garnacha Tintorera grape, known as Alicante Bouschet outside Spain.

The wines are due to be rolled out at B.B. King’s Blues Clubs and in shops, wine bars and music venues throughout the States with an RRP of US$13.99.

With a career spanning over half a century, B.B. King (born Riley B. King), has won over 15 Grammy awards and still frequently tours the globe.

Despite his advancing years, King plays an average of 250 concerts a year around the world.

He was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.