From music to wine: Deborah Cox’s new chapter with ‘Kazaisu’

I sat down with the celebrated performer to talk music, family, and her inspiring new journey into the world of wine.

Deborah Cox’s self-titled album was one of the very first cassette tapes I had ever bought. She rocked the R&B scene in the 90s with her hit song Who Do You Love? and has continued to keep a steady foothold in the music industry for an impressive three-decade span.

When I was given the opportunity to see Deborah in concert this past summer at Casa Loma with Liberty Entertainment, it was far beyond just a “work perk” opportunity, and more so an experience that fulfilled a connection to my younger self.

Shortly after the concert, I sat with Deborah and discussed the launch of her new wine brand, Kazaisu, but not before sharing an emotional reflection together on a full-circle moment for the both of us.

Kazaisu is an expressive, certified organic rosé crafted by Deborah Cox with Chateau Margilliére from the Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation. It rings purity and a mineral driven depth derived from its counterparts – grenache and cinsault, with a dash of mourvèdre and cabernet sauvignon, that are all grown on old vines upon clay and limestone soils.

The wine boasts rosehip, cranberry and ruby grapefruit aromas that continue to a dry, elegant palate with refreshingly bright acidity and a luxuriously long finish. This bottle is a must-try for any rosé wine lover.

Speaking with Deborah only reaffirmed everything that I already knew – the wine world is better with someone like her in it. Someone who voices equality and kindness, not to mention has a great palate! And just like Deborah, her Kazaisu Rosé exudes an easy elegance and charm.

Leah Spooner – Kazaisu has such an interesting name that I know has a personal connection for you. Can you explain how you came to name your Rosé?

Deborah Cox – I wanted something very personal, something that represented the feeling that I have whenever I want to enjoy a glass of wine. We were on vacation one time with the whole family, this was actually during COVID, and I had missed the idea of meeting up with family or meeting up with friends and just having an occasional glass of wine.

As we’re thinking about names, we wanted it to reflect that. So, we thought about all these different types of names and finally, it was just like, let’s just combine the children’s names and see what we come up with. So, we had all these different versions of their names. The kids collectively decided that Kazaisu was the best combination.

LS – I love that you named it after your children, and I didn’t know that they were part of picking the name as well.

DC – I don’t get a chance to really tell that story. I wanted to start a legacy brand. I wanted a brand that represented family, fun and gatherings. (She pauses.) How I enjoy life and how I enjoy wine…the experience!

LS – How did you come to pick Provence as the region to make your first wine from? How did that partnership start?

DC – Provence is an area of France that is probably my favourite. When I thought about what to bring to market, red was obviously the first choice. But red is also a little tough on my cords. So, I wanted something that I could enjoy without having to worry about that. I could have it before or after a show. But I do love a good full and fruity red (which is also coming, by the way).

But not to get off topic, rosé was the first choice when I thought about the region and what I wanted the wine to reflect. I wanted something that was organic and I wanted something that was full, fruity, and had all the attributes that I feel represents our core value – organic being the absolute first.

So, Chateau Margilliere was right on board. We partnered with them and found the right blend and the right juice to put in the bottles. Then we just started to explore. I wanted a bottle that was sexy, that was elegant, something that could be reused for water or flowers. The process was fun – not tedious. It was just something that I actually enjoyed doing and helping to put together.

LS – Was the winery you were working with already certified organic prior to the partnership?

DC – Yes, and it’s such a process! It would have been easier to just bottle something that didn’t have to go through all the accreditation, but it was something that I stand on. Moving forward, if we want to take care of our planet and think about the future, think about the way people drink and the way people enjoy wine, we want to give them a healthier selection. That’s worth it for me.

LS – I know that you were also part of the blending process and I was curious if when you were making up that blend, were you making a wine that was solely based on your personal preference or were you thinking about what the consumer was going to enjoy?

DC – For me, I always think about my taste first. I think over the years, I’ve developed a bit of a palate in the sense that I know a really good wine. I can tell when something is… processed. I wanted to make sure that it was something that I could absolutely stand by and could be authentic, and I wanted to make sure that I enjoyed it. I really am so adamant about making sure that the taste really reflects what my palate likes.

LS – I think that translates in Kazaisu. It’s a high-quality product, but at the same time, wine experts and casual wine drinkers alike are going to love it.

DC – Yes, and that’s important. I wanted a wine that was going to be appreciated by Somms who have such a sophisticated palate. It’s like music. It’s a matter of personal taste, but you also want something that everyone is going to be able to enjoy too.

LS – Did anything, if anything, surprise you about the wine world once you got into it on the business side?

DC – I think because my standards are very high, I came into it with the expectations of having to really be authentic and really standing by something of quality. That is a very expensive venture.

Also, there’s a lot of different steps as far as the certification process, but once you have those things in place, it can be a really fruitful business, and it can be really rewarding.

LS – Do you feel like there are parallels between your music career and the wine business? And how has your music career experience helped you with the launch of Kazaisu?

DC – Musically, I’ve always felt like being someone that can transcend and have longevity, that’s always been most important to me and I have that same mindset in the wine world as well. I also feel like it’s never been an easy road for me. As much as I sort of make it look easy, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.

LS – I know that promoting inclusion initiatives has always been an important philosophy for you in your career. Will any of these be worked into the Kazaisu brand?

DC – Just before Pride in Toronto, we had an event with the LCBO “Love pairs with everything”. I want this brand to really reflect that. You can have a glass of Kazaisu any time of year, in any setting. It can be, with popcorn and chips to a salmon or great steak. I really feel that rose shouldn’t just be exclusive to one season. So, I’m trying to find ways to dispel that myth.

We will absolutely continue our philanthropic work as well. That’s part of my soul mission, to help people no matter what the situation is, and we’ll continue doing that with the brand and find ways to give back.

LS – Let’s talk about your certification with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Can you tell me how important that was for you to have your brand certified?

DC – When you dive in and look at what’s out there, the wine industry has really been such a male-dominated space. I didn’t realize, or, I didn’t really think about that when I came into it. I knew what types of wines I wanted to produce. And then after a while, I was like, what, I should really be certified and acknowledge that because it’s a big deal. I’m really proud of it. I want to continue to meet other women vintners and just like continue to network with other women as well and find ways to help in whatever way that I can. It’s a good camaraderie, when you find other like-minded people in a space that are in the minority part of it.

Women are huge supporters! When we find something that we like, that’s it, and we really help uplift each other. I’m leaning in on that and partnering with other female brand owners when the opportunity presents itself.

LS – Do you have any advice for anybody in the wine industry that may not feel as included?

DC – It’s funny, I’ve been saying this quite a bit, participate, participate, participate! It’s important sometimes for you to take the initiative and get out there so that people know that you’re willing to be a part of what’s going on. It’s about taking action. It’s as simple as that. What I’ve done is I’ve just taken action and just moved into this space fearlessly and relentlessly.

LS – Moving back to Kazaisu, you have a red and a white as well. What can you tell me about them, and when we can expect them on the market?

DC – Our white is 90 percent vermentino. It’s delicious. It’s hands down the best white wine and I challenge anybody! (She laughs.) It’s just got so much body and I was very, very impressed with that blend.

The red is from the Bandol region of France. I was really tickled that we actually have our red from there because it just happened to be a preference. I’m leaning in on my own inner song, as we come up with different wines. We’ll be bringing that to market really soon.

LS – How does it feel after three decades of a successful music career, you’ve been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, you recently got your star on the Canada Walk of Fame, and now you’re doing this wine launch? It’s been such an amazing time for you in these last few years – how does that feel at this point?

DC – Wow. It’s really exciting. It’s invigorating. Really validating to be included in the conversation in these spaces and this moment, knowing that I’ve made such an impact musically, artistically, in the world, in the culture. It’s very humbling too. But I feel like I’ve really earned it. I’ve worked so hard and I’ve only known of having a very good work ethic and being professional and being kind… and that serves you. It served me. It’s been a really wonderful journey and I’m excited about all the new things that are about to come as well.