News

Grammy-winning Ariana Grande bewitched by Barolo

22 November 2024 By Sarah Neish

As Wicked looks set to become the highest grossing musical of all time during its opening weekend, star Ariana Grande is revealed to be a fan of Barolo, having binged on the wine with pals in Beverly Hills.

Ariana Grande is currently lighting up the big screen as ‘good’ witch Glinda in Hollywood film Wicked, having previously completed a Broadway/West End run playing the same role.

The two-time Grammy winner, who has 376 million followers on Instagram, stars alongside Cynthia Erivo, who plays “bad” witch Elphaba, in the movie.

Wicked, which hits US cinemas today (22 November) is poised to pull in US$100-$110 million during its opening weekend, and Grande may well toast the film’s box office success with a glass of Barolo after friend Piers Morgan revealed she is partial to the Italian wine.

Fabulously expensive

The former editor of The Mirror revealed he had once spent an evening quaffing “fabulously expensive” Barolo with Grande after she joined Morgan and his late manager in Beverly Hills restaurant Ocean Prime.

“Long story short, she came to my table with me and my manager and we sat for three hours… she kept buying fabulously expensive bottles of red wine… I’m a very easily bought man,” Morgan said in a previous interview.

“She was great fun – very intelligent, thoughtful and amusing,” said Morgan of his drinking buddy.

This week, as Wicked landed in US picture houses, he recalled the night, sharing a series of photographs – “pix she [Grande] took on my phone as the Barolo flowed”, he posted on Instagram (below).

Ocean Prime is known for its fine wine list, with the restaurant recently hosting a celebration evening in honour of the 50th anniversary of Napa’s Caymus Vineyards. “Enjoy exclusive pours of Caymus Vineyards’ 40th and 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon”, the establishment told diners. It also features bottles from Pomerol, St Emilion and Tuscany on its list.

$36 per glass Barolo

Among its Barolo offering is the 2019 Barolo DOCG Marcenasco, Nebbiolo from producer Renato Ratti in Piedmont. This is served at US$36 per large (6oz) glass, and is likely to be the wine that Grande bought for herself and Morgan.

The restaurant uses a Coravin to offer a range of fine wines by the glass including Far Niente Chardonnay 2022 and Ruinart Blanc de Blanc.

Following the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller in 2018 from an accidental drug overdose, Grande claimed she was “60% pink Veuve Clicquot”, telling Billboard: “I don’t think I’ve ever consumed more alcohol than I have in the past month. I am Champagne.”

Barolo en primeur 2023: 'wine solidarity knows no boundaries'

Barolo 'visionary' Ratti - a study of change and continuity