Curious about Snoop Dogg’s venture into the bubbly business? You’re not alone. The rap icon’s 19 Crimes Cali Gold has generated serious buzz since its release. But beyond the flashy gold label and celebrity name, is this sparkling wine actually worth your money? Let’s pop the cork and discover what’s really inside this golden bottle.
19 Crimes Cali Gold is a California sparkling wine that has successfully positioned itself as a culturally resonant, accessible option leveraging Snoop Dogg’s brand to merge entertainment, affordability, and casual luxury for a broad audience. This collaboration between hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and Australian wine brand 19 Crimes launched in 2022, expanding their successful partnership that began in 2020 with Cali Red.
Despite often being searched as “Snoop Dogg champagne,” Cali Gold is technically a California sparkling wine, not true champagne which comes exclusively from France’s Champagne region. The wine features a fruit-forward flavor profile with notes of baked apple, peach, tropical fruits, and vanilla cream, designed to be approachable for casual wine drinkers with its semi-dry style.
What truly sets Cali Gold apart is its innovative presentation – a striking black and gold bottle with an augmented reality label that brings Snoop Dogg to life through a smartphone app. This technology has generated over 2.5 million activations since its introduction, adding genuine entertainment value beyond just the beverage itself.
Priced affordably between $17-20, Cali Gold offers good value compared to both traditional French champagnes (starting at $40-50) and other celebrity wine offerings. Wine Enthusiast awarded it a respectable 87 points, while consumer reviews consistently praise its approachability and unique packaging.
As we dive deeper into the Cali Gold experience, we’ll explore everything from its taste profile to how it compares with traditional champagne, helping you decide if this celebrity-backed bubbly deserves a spot in your celebration.
What Exactly is “Snoop Dogg Champagne”? Introducing 19 Crimes Cali Gold
When searching for “Snoop Dogg champagne,” what you’re actually looking for is Cali Gold – the sparkling wine collaboration between the hip-hop legend and Australian wine brand 19 Crimes. Released in 2022, this California sparkling wine joined Snoop’s growing beverage empire alongside his popular Cali Red and INDOGGO Gin.
It’s Sparkling Wine, Not Champagne: Understanding the Key Difference
Let’s clear something up: 19 Crimes Cali Gold is technically not champagne. True champagne comes exclusively from the Champagne region of France and follows strict production methods established over centuries. What Snoop has created is properly classified as California sparkling wine.
This distinction matters beyond terminology. French champagne typically commands higher prices and features specific taste profiles developed through traditional methods. Cali Gold represents California’s more accessible, often fruitier approach to sparkling wine production – making it approachable for both casual drinkers and wine enthusiasts.
The Story Behind the Bottle: The Snoop Dogg x 19 Crimes Partnership
The collaboration between Snoop Dogg and 19 Crimes began in 2020 with Cali Red, which quickly became the brand’s #1 selling wine. The 19 Crimes brand built its identity around celebrating “rule breakers” – historical figures banished to Australia for committing one of 19 different crimes – a rebellious spirit that aligns perfectly with Snoop’s boundary-pushing persona.
Cali Gold marks their first venture into sparkling territory, expanding beyond the still reds and rosés that initially put the collaboration on the map. This addition demonstrates both the success of the partnership and Snoop’s savvy in diversifying his alcohol brand portfolio.
Decoding the Snoop Cali Gold Experience: Taste, Look, and Tech
What can you actually expect when popping open a bottle? Let’s break down the complete Cali Gold experience – from the flavor profile to the innovative tech features that set this bottle apart.
What Does Snoop Cali Gold Taste Like?
Cali Gold is crafted as an accessible, crowd-pleasing sparkling wine balancing sweetness with acidity. Official tasting notes describe it as fruit-forward with pronounced aromas of baked apple, peach, and tropical fruits. On the palate, expect hints of vanilla cream, caramel, and a touch of baking spice complementing the gentle effervescence.
With moderate acidity and a semi-dry profile, this isn’t a bone-dry brut champagne that wine connoisseurs might expect. Instead, it offers a slightly sweeter, more approachable taste designed to appeal to casual wine drinkers and fans of Snoop’s other wine offerings. The finish is clean with lingering notes of stone fruit and cream – refreshing for warm weather yet substantial enough to pair with food.
Beyond the Bubbles: Bottle Design and AR Label
Where Cali Gold truly distinguishes itself is through its striking presentation and innovative technology. The bottle features a bold black and gold design that reflects both luxury and Snoop’s signature style, with the metallic gold label creating immediate shelf appeal.
The integrated augmented reality (AR) feature elevates the entire experience. By downloading the 19 Crimes app and scanning the label, consumers can watch Snoop Dogg himself come to life on the bottle through their smartphone. This interactive element delivers a personal message from Snoop, adding genuine entertainment value beyond just the beverage itself.
How Does Cali Gold Stack Up? Comparisons and Value
To determine if Cali Gold is worth your money, we need to place it in context – comparing it to both traditional champagnes and other celebrity wine offerings in the market.
Snoop Cali Gold vs. True Champagne: Key Differences
When comparing Cali Gold to authentic French champagne, several distinctions become apparent. True champagne undergoes a more rigorous production process, including secondary fermentation in the bottle and extended aging – often resulting in more complex flavor profiles with notes of toast, brioche, and minerality.
Cali Gold’s California methods typically create a fruitier, more immediately accessible profile with less yeasty complexity. The price difference is substantial – while Cali Gold retails around $17-20, entry-level French champagnes typically start at $40-50.
These differences don’t make one inherently “better” – just different products for different occasions and palates. Cali Gold offers a casual, approachable sparkling experience at a significantly lower price point than traditional champagne.
Celebrity Wine Comparison and Value Assessment
Within the celebrity wine market, Cali Gold holds its own remarkably well. Compared to other celebrity sparkling offerings that often command premium prices purely on name association, Snoop’s sparkling wine delivers solid quality at a reasonable price point.
What sets Cali Gold apart from many celebrity ventures is the established track record of the 19 Crimes collaboration. Unlike some celebrity brands that prioritize marketing over quality, the 19 Crimes partnership has consistently delivered wines that over-deliver at their price points.
When factoring in the interactive AR experience, distinctive bottle design, and reasonable price, Cali Gold emerges as one of the better values in the celebrity wine space – offering more than just a famous name on the label.
Finding and Buying Snoop Dogg’s Sparkling Wine
Ready to try Snoop Dogg’s sparkling wine yourself? Cali Gold enjoys wide distribution across the United States at major retailers including Total Wine & More, BevMo, Target, Walmart, and many local liquor stores and wine shops.
For online shoppers, options include Drizly, Wine.com, Total Wine’s website, and occasionally Amazon (where legally permitted). The official 19 Crimes website offers a store locator to find physical retailers near you. Pricing typically ranges between $17-20 per bottle, though promotional sales sometimes drop it to around $15.
During holidays, watch for special gift packaging that pairs Cali Gold with branded glassware – making it an accessible gift option for Snoop Dogg fans. For the complete collection, consider purchasing alongside Snoop’s Cali Red and Cali Rosé.
Real Talk: Reviews and Public Perception
Before investing in any wine, it’s helpful to understand how critics and everyday consumers have responded. Has Cali Gold earned genuine praise for its quality, or is it riding solely on Snoop’s celebrity status?
Expert and Consumer Feedback
Professional wine reviewers have generally positioned Cali Gold as a solid entry-level sparkling wine. While it hasn’t received the acclaim of high-end champagnes (nor should it at its price point), critics acknowledge it as an accessible option that delivers reasonable quality for the price. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 87 points – a respectable score indicating “good” quality.
Consumer reviews reveal a consistent pattern: most purchasers express pleasant surprise at the quality, given the celebrity association. Common praise focuses on its easy-drinking nature, attractive packaging, and the AR feature. The most frequent criticism centers on its sweetness level, with some drinkers preferring a drier style.
Across major retailers, Cali Gold typically maintains a 4+ star average rating out of 5, indicating strong consumer satisfaction. It performs particularly well with casual wine drinkers seeking an approachable sparkling option for everyday celebrations.
Quick Answers: Your Snoop Cali Gold Questions
Is Cali Gold sweet or dry? It falls into the “extra dry” category, which is actually slightly sweeter than “brut” in sparkling wine terminology. It offers noticeable fruit sweetness balanced by moderate acidity, making it approachable for casual wine drinkers.
What grape varieties are used? The exact blend isn’t publicly disclosed, but it primarily utilizes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – traditional champagne grapes – grown in California vineyards, alongside smaller percentages of other white varieties.
What foods pair well with it? Cali Gold’s slightly sweeter profile makes it versatile with food. It pairs excellently with spicy dishes, fried appetizers, fruit-based desserts, and salty snacks. For a true Snoop-inspired pairing, try it with seafood or California cuisine.
How does it compare to other 19 Crimes wines? While Cali Red and Cali Rosé focus on bold, fruit-forward still wines, Cali Gold introduces effervescence with a similar accessible approach. All maintain the brand’s commitment to approachable, fruit-driven wines.
Is it worth trying? For casual wine drinkers, Snoop fans, or those seeking an affordable sparkling option for everyday celebrations, Cali Gold offers solid value with its combination of decent quality, unique presentation, and interactive features.
Conclusion
So, is Snoop Dogg’s 19 Crimes Cali Gold worth the hype? For its $17-20 price point, the answer is a qualified yes. You’re getting an enjoyable California sparkling wine with the added entertainment value of the AR experience and Snoop’s cultural significance.
The wine delivers exactly what it promises – an accessible, fruit-forward sparkling experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still maintaining respectable quality. It’s not competing with fine champagne, but rather offers an affordable entry point into the sparkling wine world with distinctive West Coast personality.
If you’re a Snoop Dogg fan, casual wine drinker, or simply curious about celebrity wines that actually deliver on quality, Cali Gold is worth uncorking. As the Doggfather might say – when it comes to accessible sparkling wine with genuine personality, you can’t do much better than this gold-labeled bottle bringing together California vibes and hip-hop royalty in one effervescent package.
Fabiola Tanis is the founder and CEO of SnoopDoggShop.com, the premier online destination for authentic Snoop Dogg merchandise, apparel, footwear, wine, and collectibles. With over 12 years of experience in e-commerce and retail brand management, Fabiola has developed the expertise and vision necessary to create a trusted platform for fans seeking genuine products that celebrate Snoop Dogg’s enduring cultural impact.