Over the years, rap music has become synonymous with a number of topics, including alcohol. So much so, that even the most unschooled among us are likely to be able to rattle off the names of several high-profile drinks mentioned in chart-topping songs. It seems only natural then, that many artists have gone on to launch their own boozy brands, from Diddy’s Ciroc vodka to Jay Z’s Armand de Brignac champagne and Myx Moscato, the flavoured liqueur partly owned and often. rapped about by Nicki Minaj. But, the latest celebrity to join this roster of musicians investing their time and money into the alcohol industry might surprise you. Post Malone, the rapper best known for his face tattoos and writing songs about feeling sad, has launched his very own rosé wine. While many wouldn’t expect rosé to be the singer's drink of choice, it turns out he’s quite the wine connoisseur. Named Maison No.9 – after his favourite tarot card, the Nine of Swords, which symbolises overcoming challenges – the wine was born from Post Malone’s love of the Mediterranean lifestyle and created in collaboration with his long-time manager Dre London and friend James Morrissey. “Rosé is for when you want to get a little fancy,” Post Malone said about his new offering. “It’s a nice switch up.” It would be easy to dismiss the rapper’s endeavour but he has gone to surprising lengths to ensure his tipple ticks all the right boxes, with the trio tasting over 50 blends of rosé and regularly visiting their chosen winery, located near Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera, before settling on the right one. They even worked closely with famous winemaker Alexis Cornu, winner of 15 gold medals and seven 90+ point rosé wines. The artist initially launched his drink in the US earlier this year, and it has already proved hugely popular, selling out of the 50,000 bottles reserved for its May 2020 pre-sale in just 48 hours and crashing the world’s largest online wine retailer Vivino’s website. Plus stars like Kylie Jenner and Justin Bieber are already big lovers of it, having shared photos of themselves posing with the wine on social media. Maison No.9 Now, after months of waiting, UK fans of Post Malone can finally get their hands on his rosé, with a limited online release launching just in time for Christmas on 17 December, before it rolls out nationwide in the UK in 2021. But, what does its taste like and is it really worth the hype? We loved everything about our first experience with Maison No.9, including the bottle. The pale salmon pink drink is housed in a tall, slender glass vessel that comes etched with the brand’s name in a brilliant white gothic font. In place of a cork, the rapper has also designed a luxurious yet sustainable glass stopper cap with raised edges, meant to mirror the shape of a castle located near the vineyard where the grapes were grown, and intended to encourage people to reuse the bottle. But, there’s more to this wine than its good looks. Unlike the overly sweet mass-produced versions that have given rosé a bad name over this years, Maison No.9 is fresh and appealing, with notes of citrus fruit, pineapple and strawberry, which Post Malone likens to a French dessert. And, while most rosé’s are best enjoyed as you soak up the sun, we think this version would pair just as well with richer, wintery dishes. Sure, summer may be long-gone, but that’s no reason not to enjoy a wine as smooth as this. Maison No.9 If you love the look of Post Malone’s Maison No.9, the good news is that it’s available in three sizes 750ml (£16.99), 1.5l (£40) and 3l (£99), but you’re going to have to act quick as the limited release is expected to sell out quickly. If you fancy putting it to the test against other rosé’s or want to stock up on a variety ahead of Christmas, here are some of the best wines that have made it into our recent round-ups. You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Lalomba de Ramón Bilbao rosado 2018, 75cl, 13%: £30, Amazon

LaLomba This option was picked as the best buy in our round-up of the best rosé wines, with the reviewer praising its “elegant acidity” and describing it as a wine that’s “as perfect as a sunny Spanish evening”. It features Orchard and red fruit flavours which are tempered by mineral notes and is made from only perfect, hand-picked berries found in the Rioja Alta region of Spain. Buy now

Château de Berne selection ultimate Provence 2018, 13%: £17.92, Vivino

Chateau de Berne Housed in a bottle that could give Post Malone’s offering a run for its money, our reviewer of the best Côtes de Provence rosé wines was right when they said this wine “impresses before you’ve even got the cork out”. A subtle, blushing pink in colour, it is made with a blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah and rolle, and features notes of redcurrant, red berry and orange peel. We recommend enjoying it with lightly spiced French or Italian dishes. Buy now

Beronia Rosado, 13%: £9.35, The Drink Shop

Beronia Drinking wine can be an expensive so we put a number of wines to the test to see if it was possible to pick up a great-tasting bottle for under £10. Our reviewer highlighted this rosé from Beronia which, despite its strawberry pink hue, is smooth to taste. “Elegant rose petals are present on the nose, followed by sun-kissed strawberries and a touch of peach on the palate. A great summer wine you’ll find yourself drinking with everything from salads and tapas dishes, through to creamy goats’ cheese,” they said. Buy now

AOP Beaujolais rose Carremont, France, 3l: £35, MoreWine

AOP Bag-in-box (BIB) wines have been tainted with an unsophisticated reputation in recent years but, thanks to a new generation that boast more eco-friendly credentials, they’re making a comeback. In our roundup of the best boxed wines, this rosé was selected for its combination of fruity flavours that make it “dangerously easy” to drink. Even better, when you’ve finished your box, you can put the cardboard in with your recycling and send back any plastic back to MoreWine who work with recycling company TerraCycle to ensure nothing ends up in landfill. Buy now

Mirabeau étoile Provence rosé 2019, 13%: £15, Sainsburys

Mirabeau An award-winning gastronomic rosé, this bottle of wine is the product of an English couple, Stephen and Jeany Cronk, who moved to Provence in the Noughties, to set up their own winery. In our round-up of the best Côtes de Provence wines, it was hailed for its blend of pear, orange and tangerine flavours. Buy now For more inspiration on boozy beverages to stock up on this Christmas, read our round-up of the best champagnes and whiskies from around the world