— -- Hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Jay Z just acquired a stake in the Armand de Brignac champagne brand, known for its giant "Midas" bottles of champagne for the rich and famous.
New York-based Sovereign Brands Wednesday announced the sale of its stake in the brand, known as "Ace of Spades,” for an undisclosed sum.
The champagne is recognized by its pewter insignias on paperless bottles, which start at around $250. Celebrities apparently like to take photos next to the 30-liter "Midas" bottles, which cost six figures.
The "Midas" bottles can be opened as you would any other bottle of champagne, said Justin Lorenz, wine and beverage director at the New York Palace Hotel. The bigger bottles create no more pressure that smaller ones, he said, although you would likely use your whole hand to twist the cork. And you might need another person to hold and twist the bottle, he added.
Sadly, you cannot saber the Armand de Brignac "Midas" bottle with a knife because the bottle is made from metal. When you saber a normal-sized bottle, not only are you removing the cork with the knife, but you’re also cutting off the top of the bottle, which is impractical with a metal bottle.
"We are proud to announce that Sovereign Brands, a New York-based wine and spirits company owned by the Berish family, has sold its interest in the Armand de Brignac Champagne brand to a new company led by the globally-renowned Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter," a statement from Sovereign Brands read.
A staff of only eight people crafts each bottle by hand at the Cattier family house, established in 1763 in Chigny-les-Roses, France, Sovereign said.
No word on whether Jay Z, 44, will oversee that tradition.
Armand de Brignac sells various sizes of its champagne.
The brand sells varieties that include Armand de Brignac Rose, in a pink bottle.
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