Rock'n'roll has been a hard liquor game from the very start, but perhaps the tides are changing. As bands continue to explore the world of unconventional merch, they're dipping their toes into… a big barrel of grapes?

From classic rockers like the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead to gnarlier acts like Motorhead and AC/DC and plenty of hair metal, branded wines are all the rage. With their album-art branding, there's no doubt these wines -- many from the Wines that Rock line -- are aimed at the fans. But are they any good? We put together a tasting at New York's City Winery and invited a panel of experts - three winos and Billboard's own editorial director, who puts it all in musical perspective -- to sound off on 12 artist-branded wines. Watch videos and read our ratings to see which wine rocked the most, and check out behind the scenes photos from our tasting.

PHOTOS: The Wines** l Behind the Scenes at Our Tasting** **

The Panel

Michael Dorf, owner of City Winery & founder of the Knitting Factory

Robert Haynes-Peterson, wine & spirits journalist (Beverage Media, Vegas Magazine, etc.)

Matt Weiss , professional sommelier (formerly of BLT Prime)

Bill Werde, Billboard's editorial director

The Wines

The Rolling Stones "Forty Licks" Merlot

Train "Drops of Jupiter" Petite Sirah

The Police "Synchronicity" Red Blend

Warrant "Cherry Pie" Red Blend

Motorhead Shiraz

Pink Floyd "Dark Side Of The Moon" Cabernet Sauvignon

Ratt "Body Talk" Chardonnay

Grateful Dead "Steal Your Face" Red Blend

AC/DC "Back In Black" Shiraz

AC/DC "You Shook Me All Night Long" Moscato

Whitesnake Zinfandel

Santana DVX Sparkling

NEXT: Rolling Stones Merlot

The Rolling Stones "Forty Licks" Merlot

Tasting Panel Says: "If you're a merlot fan, you will not be disappointed by this wine."
Rating: A Merlot as classic as the lick in "Start Me Up"

NEXT: Train Petite Sirah

Train "Drops of Jupiter" Petite Sirah

Tasting Panel Says: "This is actually really good, and it reflects a seriousness. This is a wine you probably want to have with a steak." A panel favorite.
Rating: More addicting than "Hey, Soul Sister"

NEXT: The Police Red Blend

The Police "Synchronicity" Red Blend

Tasting Panel Says: "A balanced wine… there's a softness but it's got a little Sting to it."
Rating: The "Message" in this bottle is too understated.

NEXT: Warrant Red Blend

Warrant "Cherry Pie" Red Blend

Tasting Panel Says: "Would guess this is a Cab-Merlot blend, more Merlot than Cab - it's giving it that cherry high. Voluptuous, like the woman in the 'Cherry Pie' video."
Rating: Cherry pie > this wine

NEXT: Motorhead Shiraz

Motorhead Shiraz

Tasting Panel Says: "I'm surprised Motorhead puts out a wine, but it's probably more of a merch item. A fairly grown-up wine - can taste a fruitiness." A panel favorite.
Rating: A red wine that's "Aces"

NEXT: Pink Floyd Cabernet Sauvignon

Pink Floyd "Dark Side Of The Moon" Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Panel Says: "The person who's going to go buy this, who liked Pink Floyd 30 years ago, feels very comfortable with a Cabernet… But it's a simple Cabernet, which is the exact opposite of what the brand of Pink Floyd came to represent."
Rating: Might not be worth your "Money"

NEXT: Ratt Chardonnay

Ratt "Body Talk" Chardonnay

Tasting Panel Says: "Very acidic… it's bold and it's powerful, kind of like the song 'Body Talk.' But I could see Ratt going more with Boone's Farm, or maybe Mad Dog 20/20."
Rating: We'd give it three out of five groupies.

NEXT: Grateful Dead Red Blend

Grateful Dead "Steal Your Face" Red Blend

Tasting Panel Says: "As soon as you stick your nose in the glass, you definitely get a note that this is a serious wine." A panel favorite.
Rating: Definitely not just for your Deadhead uncle

NEXT: AC/DC Shiraz

AC/DC "Back In Black" Shiraz

Tasting Panel Says: "The big bass sound and Shiraz: they really work well together. The most appropriate music and wine pairing we've tasted."
Rating: If you're not badass enough to head-bang to "Back and Black," don't even bother with this sharp (albeit one-note) wine.

NEXT: AC/DC Moscato

AC/DC "You Shook Me All Night Long" Moscato

Tasting Panel Says: "This is for the guy who wants to blast AC/DC at home and his wife gets annoyed, so he gives her this and says, 'Oh, look who makes this! Let's blast the song!'"
Rating: A totally solid -- not shaky -- Moscato

NEXT: Whitesnake Zinfandel

Whitesnake Zinfandel

Tasting Panel Says: "I'd like to see a little more acid on this… need something that bites you a little more. A short finish and it dies quickly - which doesn't match the song 'Here I Go Again.'"
Rating: Tawny Kitaen dancing on the hood of a car > this wine

NEXT: Santana DVX Sparkling

Santana DVX Sparkling

Tasting Panel Says: "It lacks something in the back, in terms of acidity."
Rating: The wine equivalent of modern-day Santana: kind of boring

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