It's official: Gin and juice is out, red wine is in.
At least according to Snoop Dogg.
The rapper's new collaboration with wine brand 19 Crimes hit B.C. shelves recently, and to celebrate, a massive seven-foot tribute to Snoop created by local artist Carson Ting and his award-winning studio Chairman Ting is being installed Friday at a Vancouver BC Liquor Store.
The 3D gold sculpture commissioned for the wine's B.C. launch features the Long Beach, Calif. legend standing atop a massive wine cork, as well as custom hand-painted illustrations Ting created using paint mixed with the Cali Red wine. The larger-than-life creation, titled "Snoop Uncorked," will only be on display for a limited time at the BC Liquor Store's 5555 Cambie Street location.
Cali Red is the product of a multi-year partnership between Snoop Dogg and the Australian wine brand, whose original wines were inspired by the convicts-turned-colonists that built the land down under.
The red blend - the brand's first-ever California wine - is comprised of 65 per cent Petite Syrah, 30 per cent Zinfandel and 5 per cent Merlot. It's been aged in American oak, and is said to feature vanilla and chocolate notes, as well as "hints of smoke." (Snoop Dogg was involved in its creation, after all.)
In a release, the brand said Vancouver artist Ting "was hand-selected for this commission for his bold and culture-creating work, which matches the personality of both the wine and the subject of the installation."
The rapper, meanwhile, is “an entertainment and California icon," and "the perfect partner for 19 Crimes Cali Red,” added John Wardley, a spokesperson for the wine brand, in a release last month.
“He embodies the true spirit of 19 Crimes: rule breaking, culture-creating and overcoming adversity. We are incredibly excited to partner with Snoop, and to be bringing this latest addition to the 19 Crimes family to Canada.”
Don't fret if you're not able to stop by 39th & Cambie to snap a "selfie with Snoop" before the art installation is gone. While 19 Crimes is known for its use of augmented reality technology - you can download an app to hear what the figure on your wine's label has to say - Cali Red will be no different. "A virtual Snoop experience is available with every bottle," according to the release.
