Who knew there were so many good country songs about wine? “Strawberry Wine” is one of Deana Carter’s signature songs, but this list has plenty more good country songs about wine from both classic artists and modern country singers. “Wine Colored Roses” by George Jones is a song about a man who is stills suffering from alcoholism, but Jones himself eventually kicked the habit later in his life. This list even includes a country song about sangria, although we’re pretty sure you already know who sings that one.
Do you have a favorite country song about drinking wine? Every one of these songs has wine in the title, so we may have missed a few country songs that describe wine in the lyrics. Let us know in the comments if we left one of your favorites off the list- who knows, we might just add your suggestion to this page!
1. Deana Carter- Strawberry Wine
One of Deana Carter’s signature songs, “Strawberry Wine” was written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, and recorded by Deana for her 1996 debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This? The song tells the story of girl’s innocence, and the changes that come later in life when you get older and become a bit wiser about relationships and everything else in life- “Like strawberry wine and seventeen / The hot July moon saw everything / My first taste of love, oh bittersweet / The green on the vine / Like strawberry wine.”
2. Emmylou Harris- Two More Bottles of Wine
I believe it was Homer Simpsons who once said something along the lines of “alcohol can solve all of life’s problems.” The narrator of Emmylou Harris’ “Two More Bottles of Wine” can verify this is true, since she drinks her troubles away. In the song, the narrator moves to Los Angeles to find success with her lover, only for him to leave her soon after they get there. Although she works a crappy job sweeping a warehouse for money, she never worries, because she’s always got two more bottles of wine left. You can find the song on her 1978 album Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town.
3. George Jones- Wine Colored Roses
Written by A.L Owens and Dennis Knutson, Wine Colored Roses was recorded by George Jones for his 1986 album of the same name. The narrator of “Wine Colored Roses” receives a letter from his ex-lover, asking him if he still has a drinking problem. Overcome with emotion and unable to articulate himself, the narrator sends the woman wine colored roses to subtly let her know that he indeed is still drinking. During his live performances, audiences would often cheer after George delivered the line, “She asked if I had quit drinkin'” to celebrate the achievement of Jones’ real life sobriety.
4. Loretta Lynn - Wine, Women, and Song
Although today a phrase like “drug, sex and rock & roll” would be more appropriate, “wine, women and song” was the historical equivalent that basically meant the same thing. Loretta Lynn recorded this song and released it as a single in 1964, and it was also featured on her second studio album, Before I’m Over You. The narrator of the song is sick of her man stepping out on her while she’s working hard around the house- “Well I’m at home a workin’ and a slavin’ this way / You’re out of misbehavin’ spendin’ all of your pay on wine women and song.”
5.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers- Thunderbird Wine
Originally recorded by Billy Joe Shaver in 1981, Jason Boland and his band covered the song for their 2004 album Somewhere in the Middle, which is actually dedicated to Shaver himself. The song tells the story of man living with regrets, particularly about losing a girl he used to love.
6. George Jones and Merle Haggard- Yesterday’s Wine
When two legends like Jones and Haggard get together on a track, you know it’s going to be incredible. “Yesterday’s Wine” was recorded in 1982 for Jones’ album A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine, making it the title track of the album. “Yesterday’s Wine” is actually a Willie Nelson original, but since it later became a #1 duet for Jones and Haggard, we couldn’t help but put their version on our list of country songs about wine instead.
7. Carrie Underwood- Wine After Whiskey
From her 2012 album Blown Away, “Wine After Whiskey” is a fantastic Carrie Underwood song about comparing your current lovers to someone even greater that you used to have- “Now everything after you is like having wine after whiskey / It went from do anything for you babe to you don’t even miss me / Once you’ve tasted a love that strong you can’t go back / And you can’t settle on anything less / And that’s what gets me / It’s like having wine after whiskey.”
8. Conway Twitty- That’s Asking Too Much of the Wine
There are hundreds of country songs about drowning your sorrows with alcohol, but on this rare Conway Twitty song, even he admits that alcohol just won’t be enough to forget about his troubles- “The drinks they keep comin’ my brain they’re not numbin’ / It’s failing to comfort my mind / To think that a glass could erase all my past / That’s asking too much of the wine.” The recording on this one can get a little rough during the chorus, so make sure your speakers aren’t turned up too loud!
9. Blake Shelton- Sangria
From his 2014 album Bringing Back the Sunshine, this suggestive song by Blake Shelton eventually released Platinum Status in the U.S. The narrator of the song is drinking with a woman that he’s into, and can’t help but notice that her lips taste like sangria- “We’re buzzing like that no vacancy sign out front / Your skin is begging to be kissed by a little more than the sun.”
10. Merle Haggard- Heaven Was a Drink of Wine
Of all the legendary country artists that we love, Merle Haggard just might have the record for having the most country songs about wine. “Heaven Was a Drink of Wine” was released on his 1979 album Serving 190 Proof, Haggard sings about how a glass of wine is the only thing that makes him feel good after his woman left him- “I never took the drinking long, long as she was mine / But when she left me I went to hell / Heaven was a drink of wine.”