Author Archive
See Spot Run
Just when we were getting used to "critter labels," now there are "foodie labels" designed to take the mystery out of food and wine pairings. The wine labels have illustrations that make clear to the consumer which wine pairs best with certain types of meat. A rooster on the Chardonnay, a pig on the Merlot and a cow on the Cabernet Sauvignon (each label has a diagram of the different cuts of meat). "Foodies" will be launched nationally by Cost Plus Food Market in early March 2008 and will retail for $7.99 per bottle. Cost Plus believes this product is appropriate for food and wine enthusiasts of all levels, but the rather basic information (some might say patronizing) says something else. Hopefully, we won't see Spot on the label, but you get the message.
Rose-Colored Wine-Glasses
No Comments »
Written on May 18th, 2009 by admin
Categories: Champagne, Moet and Chandon, Wine Price and Sales
Categories: Champagne, Moet and Chandon, Wine Price and Sales
Recently, the French court fined Moet and Chandon 30,000 Euros for its "La Nuit est Rose" campaign which shows a bottle of rose Champagne on a black background surrounded by pink petals. The court ruled that the ad created an association between drinking rose Champagne and leading a wonderful life ( a reference to the iconic Edith Piaf song La Vie en Rose). This ruling is the result of the 1991 Evin Law which states that all publicity for alcohol must consist of objective information only. It is also considered by French winemakers to be a major factor in the decline of domestic wine sales. French wine consumption dropped by 20 percent in the 1990s making exports extremely important to winemakers. However, the Australians seem to have beaten them to the party.
A Toast to Peace
 |
Red, Hot and Flabby
Wine is hotter than ever, in more ways than one. Sales are at an all time high, but at the same time alcohol levels are rising. Hot is winespeak for wine that is too high in alcohol and leaves a burning sensation in the back of the throat when swallowed. Back In the 1970s, red wines under 12 percent alcohol by volume were common. Today, Zinfandels higher than 16 percent are not unusual. Consumers seem to accept, even expect high-alcohol wines (many also believe this is due to the influence of wine critic Robert Parker). Is this a problem? Besides the effects of consuming more alcohol and calories in one serving, another consequence of high alcohol wine is often low acidity and a lack of structure, or in winespeak a flabby wine.
Click here for more information on the high-alcohol wine trend and its effect on wine balance.
Nothing Says Trash Like Paris Hilton’s Champagne in a Can
Well, actually it's Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine. Last year, Paris helped launch Rich Prosecco at a "mega-party" in the Austrian Alps, and now she's featured in its advertising campaign wearing nothing but a coat of gold paint (no golden shower jokes please people). Italian winemakers certainly are not amused, much like France and Champagne, Italians claim the right to the name Prosecco. To add insult to injury, Rich Prosecco will be packaged in a can and mixed with fruit juice. What about the young, hip crowd the company is marketing to? A poll conducted at popsugar.com shows that out of almost 3,000 people, 77 percent think Prosecco in a can is about as tacky as Paris herself.
Tiny Bubbles… In My Wine…
 |
Wine Wisdom for the Holidays
The following words are attributed to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine in one of 4th century poet Eubulus' works:
"Three kraters (shallow bowls used as wine cups) do I mix for the temperate: one to health, which they empty first, the second to love and pleasure, the third to sleep. When this bowl is drunk up, wise guests go home. The fourth bowl is ours no longer, but belongs to hubris, the fifth to uproar, the sixth to prancing about, the seventh to black eyes, the eighth brings the police, the ninth belongs to vomiting, and the tenth to insanity and the hurling of furniture."
Have a Safe and Happy Christmas!
Mighty Madiran
 |
Inflated Bubbly
 |
Loons, Penguins and Hippopotami, Oh My!
 |