Jay-Z buys into ‘Ace of Spades’ champagne

TORONTO — Rap superstar Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has bought a substantial interest in Armand de Brignac Champagne, a high-price sparkling wine dubbed Ace of Spades.

Carter bought the interest held by New York-based Sovereign Brands. A spokesperson declined to divulge the selling price.

Armand de Brignac is made by Champagne Cattier and sold in handmade metallic bottles adorned with a pewter ace of spades insignia. It sells for between $250 and $300 per bottle.

It has become the brand of choice for hip-hop artists, who turned away from Cristal after the brand’s managing director Frederic Rouzaud made negative comments about its association with hip-hop.

In his 2010 book Decoded, Jay-Z wrote: “When people all over started drinking Cristal at clubs — when Cristal became a household name among young consumers — it wasn’t because of anything Cristal had done. It was because of what we’d done. If Cristal had understood this dynamic, they never would’ve been so dismissive.”

Jay Z also has investments in restaurants, clothing and music. Last year, he sold his stake in the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.