I hate to say that my first thought in the morning is about wine, it makes me seem like such a lush. Normally, my first thought of the morning is about coffee. However, this morning I woke up thinking about a few wine labels that I have seen recently and wondering to myself if trends are changing. When I first started selling wine here in Tampa Bay it seemed like wine producers almost had to trick consumers into purchasing wine with clever names, or cute animal pictures, or both.
Recently, I have seen labels that seem to focus more on the experience of wine. Drawing attention to food pairing, the way the wine develops in the glass, and the terroir (or that certain sense of place).
Recently, I have seen labels that seem to focus more on the experience of wine. Drawing attention to food pairing, the way the wine develops in the glass, and the terroir (or that certain sense of place).
Entwine is a joint project between Food Network and Wente Vineyards. In my opinion it makes perfect sense for Food Network to get involved in the wine pairing business in some sense. Let's face it, whether you like or hate Rachel Ray, Food Network has managed to get more people into the kitchen and changed many palates, for the better, over the past few years. If they can spark the same interest in consumers to get wine on their tables, that has to be good news for all wine producers.
This came to my attention, as I am sure is the case with many people, through the popular television show, The Bachelor. I want to take a moment to clearly state that I do not watch The Bachelor, or The Bachelorette. All my reality television comes in the format of competitive cooking. All of that aside, I love the name. It implies that good things come to those who wait. It strikes a chord that gives me hope that continues swirling in the glass and volatizing the esters of the wine will yield great rewards.
I picked up a bottle of Cercius over the holidays. So labeled in tribute to the "legendary mistral winds of Provence that sweep over the vines and out to the Mediterranean sea." The moniker is a clear tribute to one of the features that makes the Costieres de Nime region completely unique. I personally love it when I can learn something about a wine region from the label. I think this is a great way to educate consumers without being overbearing or snobby.
There are still plenty of cute animals, catchy names, and other gimmicky wine labels out there. I am guilty of buying them and loving them. But I am hopeful that these new labels are part of a trend to give people a deeper connection and better understanding of wine.
Have you seen any interesting labels lately? Please share.
Cheers!
Have you seen any interesting labels lately? Please share.
Cheers!
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