Etichetta del Vino

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Choosing a good wine can be a very complex undertaking. You must consider the Varietal, the Vintage, the Region or Terrior and then consider Price and Food pairing .... Or you can just do what I do and GO FOR THE BEST LABEL!

Wine Labelology

You won’t find this in any Sommelier handbook.  But here are a few tips picking the perfect wine label for the occasion.  It seems the new “genre” of wine labels fall into the  following categories, you decide what category your friendly gathering  falls.

1.  Rude Animal References
2.  Play on Wine Words
3.  Celeb/Movie Reference
4.  Personality Type

Rude Animal Reference

Pairing wine with meat is a standard practice, so it only makes sense that Wine Labels should reference animals as well.  Hmmmm .. i think dog testicles would go nicely with a bold cabernet.

The Dogs Bollocks

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Dogs Bollocks is slang for Excellent – the absolute apex. While I have never tasted this wine, I think based on the label alone it is worth a lick.

Frog's Piss

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Frogs Piss – AKA bad french wine, is surprisingly good and dirt cheap. Kiss enough of this froggy wine and you may find yourself a prince. But more likely wake up with something less than princely.

Play on Wine Words

Funny thing about us humans .. we like to phoeniticate words and phrases.  Is that a word?

Goats Do Roam

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A play on Cote’s Du Rhones a winemaking appellation in the Rhones region of Frande – Respected South African winery Fairview owner/vintner Charles Back has built what started as a single red blend named Goats do Roam into a full-fledged wine company.

Bored Doe

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Madame Chevre, an udderley gorgeous doe, bored but mischievous, serenely looks out over her neatly manicured vineyards. She reluctantly conforms to legislation and tradition, and only utilizes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot in her seductive blend. This she does vintage after vintage. Bored with tradition and legislation, she now uses her charm and seductive wines to add spice to her life. Beware, you are about to become her latest conquest! – Pairs well with Venison.

Celeb/Movie Reference

Wine and Movies go together like … well, actually they don’t go together that well, but crack open one of these bottles next time you slide in the ole DVD.

Marilyn Merlot

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This could fall into the play on words category as well. I would describe this wine like wind up a skirt. Ok being a guy i have never had wind up my skirt, but I … nevermind just drink this stuff.

The Italian Job

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I had no idea this was a remake .. The plan was flawless… the job was executed perfectly… the escape was clean. Wait thats the movie .. as for the wine not so clean, but i will drink most any swill.

The Full Monte

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A full bodied red .. you can see and taste everything about this wine. I suggest drinking this wine Full Monte

 

Personality Type

Be careful not offend your guests with these labels … or better yet use it as a subtle hint or not so subtle … Hey uncle Fred do you want some wine, Fat Bastard.

Fat Bastard

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Fat Bastard is probably the original “Fun Label” introduced in 1996. Thierry Boudinaud, a renowned winemaker who had crafted wines from California to France, from Chile to South Africa was sitting in a cold damp wine cellar one winter day when the door burst open. It was Guy Anderson his dear friend from London who had just arrived to sample the recent vintage. “It’s cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey” Guy bellowed with a big smile on his face. “Now Thierry let’s find out what gems we have this year.” The next day after sleeping in past noon due to the late night before, Thierry thought he would have Guy try an experimental wine . “Sure Thierry, you know how hard it is to get me to try a new wine.” Both friends had no idea that leaving the wine in barrel on the lees (yeast cells) would result is such a dramatic difference from the wine they tried the day before. It had a wonderful color and rich, round palate. Both men stood and stared at each other for what seemed like five minutes until Thierry exclaimed “now zat iz what you call eh phet bast-ard” Guy laughed with a belly laugh you could clearly hear in the neighboring town. He had used the expression Fat bastard often to describe things that were great but hearing it in a French accent made it so much funnier.

Utter Bastard

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Same producer as above, just a bit more of a Bastard of a wine!

Bitch

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This ain’t your Daddy’s Grenache. This is a wine about pleasure. Subversive pleasure. Not everyone needs to approve in order for YOU to have pleasure. Winemakers will tell you that Grenache is a bitch to grow. And, it’s a bitch to make. This makes a great gift for that special you know who in your life!

Mad Housewife

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The label speaks for itself

White Trash White

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Even the White Trash have upgraded from Moonshine and Boones Farm (admit it you drank it and got sick) to Chardonnay.

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I like the label, but its gonna be a hard sell to move from Bud to this Cab. Not to mention when you say cab they are thinking yellow car. But I say “Git R Done”!

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Who isn’t happy drinking cheap wine!

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Discussions

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This is great Phil – tell us more! I usually choose my wine by looking to see if its called “whiskey” and comes from the magical land of Ireland.

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I’m going to start giving Fat Bastard to people and in my head say what you said to your uncle Fred.

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Excuse me, do you happen to have any Frog’s Piss in house?

About The Author

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philharding Rss 

Evergreen
I am an aspiring writer (ok not really), but felt the need to engage my left brain as it does not work well, hope you enjoy my guides anyway!