One of rock and roll’s biggest names will make a grand entry into the Ontario wine market next month.
Jon Bon Jovi and his son, Jesse Bongiovi, are partners with renowned French winemaker Gérard Bertrand in a highly rated rosé wine called Hampton Water. It’s been selling around the world for several years, and will make its entry into the Canadian market on Sept. 10, when it will go on sale at Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores.
The three wine amigos gathered at the stylish Toronto Beach Club on Thursday night for a media event, chatting about wine, food and music.
Bongiovi said his family loves rosé, and would often drink it at their place in the Hamptons, the upscale urban retreat on Long Island. They drank so much of it they called it “Hampton Water.”
He talked to his famous dad about his idea of getting into the wine business. Bon Jovi put down his guitar and dialed Bertrand, who was surprised to see a rock and roller’s name pop up on his phone. They talked, and soon formed a partnership.
The wine was introduced in 2017 and quickly made a splash. Wine Spectator named it the best rosé of 2018.
Bongiovi said he likes rosé because it’s fun and accessible.
Singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi and his son Jesse (in the pink ball cap) at a launch party in Toronto for Hampton Water wine. JIM BYERS PHOTO
“It’s a porch-pounder,” he said. “It doesn’t stick around very long.”
His Dad, however, said this isn’t about a famous guy slapping his name on a wine label.
“It’s not a celebrity brand,” Bon Jovi told reporters. “It’s a family business. Gérard is a second generation winemaker. We both have that passion for what we do, and we want to be great at it.”
“The wine is serious,” he continued. “We didn’t want to white label some pink juice from somewhere.”
Asked what songs of his go best with the wine, Bon Jovi smiled. “I’ve got 17 albums, so take your pick.”
Because of its depth, Bongiovi said Hampton Water can match up nicely with all sorts of food, including spicy Indian cuisine, barbeque, and seafood.
A mix of grenache, mourvedre and cinsault grapes, the wine is made in the south of France by Bertrand, known as one of the world’s top biodynamic winemakers. It’s partly aged in French oak, which adds flavour and depth and distinguishes it from rosés aged in stainless steel tanks.
“You can feel the spice,” Bertrand said. “It’s really distinctive.”
Hampton Water wine. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Bongiovi said you could walk into a Canadian liquor store five years ago and find a few bottles of rosé. Now, it’s everywhere.
“Rose is the fastest growing style, and we want to be the fast growing wine in that category.”
Dealing with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario can be “challenging,” Bongiovi said, but they’re expecting the wine to do well. They’re also hoping to expand into other areas of Canada.
He didn’t reveal how many cases are coming to Ontario, but he said it’s a limited run.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone. You’ll have to wait for the next year.”
Bongiovi didn’t rule out the idea of moving into red or white wines in the future. For now, however, it’s all about Hampton Water.
