Label Appeal

Many people, even those who consider themselves wine aficionados, are often drawn to beautiful or unique labels. To be sure, “label appeal” has resulted in the purchase of many a bottle of vino. Wines with interesting labels can be a fun gift this holiday season or even to serve at your own special dinner or party.

It was the Australians, with their playful tweaking of convention, who first put the “fun” into wine labels. These days, you’re hard pressed to find an Australian wine bottle that doesn’t feature eye-catching graphics. 

One memorable standout from Down Under is a simple bright red vertical rectangle with a black slit about three quarters up the red field, representing a mailbox. In rural Australia and Great Britain, the red mailboxes nailed up on pillars were a familiar sight, making the Pillar Box Red label instantly recognizable to them. The owner of the winery, Kim Longbottom, has become well known for creating her distinctive wine labels that reference the Australian postal service and communications. Even the name of the winery, Henry’s Drive (in Padthaway, South Australia), comes from a postal stagecoach route in the late 1800s that ran through what is now the winery’s vineyards. Naturally, the coach was driven by Henry.

The wine is a delightfully smooth blend of Australia’s signature red grape, Shiraz, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (think opulent, ripe, fresh blackberries, along with plum fruit, dark chocolate and licorice).

One of Kim’s latest additions to the Henry’s Drive labels is a perfect example of her wicked sense of humor, coupled with her devotion to the winery’s postal theme. The label of Postmistress Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine features a black lace garter, with what looks like a note tucked into it. According to the clever copy Kim always includes on the back label of her wines, “A woman of unimpeachable rectitude, the Postmistress is trusted to preserve the town’s mail affairs.” The wine itself is fresh and lively with aromas of grapefruit and lime interplaying with delicate floral notes and hints of toasty yeast, all bubbling up in beads as fine as many high-quality champagnes.

Another fun wine to gift during the holidays is Angel’s Secret Merlot or Zinfandel. A mischievous angel graces this label with her finger held to her lips as if she’s trying to keep the secret of the fine California wine in the bottle. The light and fruity Merlot boasts ripe cherries, orange blossoms, berries, cinnamon and spice, while the rich Zinfandel has a palate of red berries and black pepper combined with a brambly characteristic, making this wine enjoyably complex.

The holidays are also a great time to break out the dessert wines, and there might not be a fresher, more delicate wine than the Italian Vino dei Fratelli Moscato d’Asti. The bright yellow label for this fizzy apricot, peach and honey refresher features an ancient Roman gold coin with the heads of the Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux, emblazoned on it. A very appropriate choice, since "Vino dei Fratelli" means “wine of the brothers.” It’s a wonderful gift for anyone who appreciates the delightfully sweet and fragrant Moscato d’Asti at the end of a scrumptious dinner.

Pillar Box Red
Pairs well with: Pork roast with roasted spice apple rings and glazed sweet potatoes. Photography provided by Henry's Drive Winery

Postmistress Blanc de Blanc
Pairs well with: Fresh oysters with mignonette sauce or lightly seared scallops. Photography provided by Henry's Drive Winery

Angel’s Secret Merlot and Zinfandel
Pair well with: Roasted turkey with winter fruit sauce, chestnut stuffing and all the trimmings. Photography provided by Two Angels Winery

Vino dei Fratelli Moscato d’Asti
Pairs well with: Winter fruit compote, apricot, peach or spiced pumpkin pies and gingerbread cookies. Photography provided by Quintessential Wines

RESOURCES:
Quintessential Wines, www.quintessentialwines.com, 707-226-8300