Monthly Archives: February 2008

Newman’s Wine Bottles Revealed

Last fall I mentioned that Paul Newman was entering the wine business with the launch of Newman’s Own 2006 California Chardonnay and 2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon. Now we’ve got pictures.

To create the wines Newman worked with Rebel Wine Company and the wines are made from grapes in California’s coastal vineyards, including ones in the Napa, Sonoma and San Luis Obispo counties. The labels feature Newman’s face as well as drawings of two hats that Newman wore as Butch in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” A cowboy hat is on the Chardonnay label and there is a bowler hat on the Cabernet label.

Newman does many great things, money generated from the products has allowed the Newman’s Own Foundation to donate more than 200 million dollars to thousands of charities, but I still question whether or no the $16 retail is too high for these wines. I guess the proof will be either in the taste or in the power of Newman’s fan base.

By Deidre Woollard. Source: www.luxist.com

Ask Mike Carter! Why is there a bottle shortage to the wine industry?

Owen Marsh asks why is there a bottle shortage to the wine industry, will it affect wine production, and what is being done to alleviate the problem?

Glass packaging is in tight supply globally. And according to an recent AT Kearney report the global glass industry is experiencing an intense shift in the balance of power between glass producers and customers. The food and beverages sector has been the hardest hit and is paying the highest price and it is unlikely this industry will ever again be a “buyer’s bonanza”. This means companies that require glass packaging must change their priorities and strategies.

The good news is that in South Africa the glass shortage is something of the past. Consol Glass which supplies about 75% of glass bottles to the wine industry have ramped up capacity in the Western Cape by 60,000 tons and a further 90,000 in Gauteng. But this is only half the story.

The South African Wine Industry as a whole have historically been very poor at providing local glass producers with meaningful forecasts to adequately plan available production capacity. Over the years forecast accuracy has ranged from a dismal 48% to between 60 – 70% recently. For example, in January the wine industry off-take for bottles was 8 million less than forecast. So careful management of the supply chain from the customer who buys the wine to the glass producer who makes the bottles will be critical to prevent shortages in the future.

Read the full AT Kearney report: Put on your glasses: Avoiding myopia in the global glass industry.

Latest Chateau Mouton-Rothschild Label

Every year since 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild has had its labels designed and illustrated by different contemporary artists, including many famous names — Prince Charles did the honors last year (yes, he apparently dabbles in watercolor).

This year is no exception, and so for the much anticipated 2005 vintage Italian artist Guiseppe Penone has created this design, which represents the growth of the vine leaf and an open hand coming in to grasp a glass of Mouton.

Although it’s considered quite an honour to have the opportunity to create a label, no payment is made to the artists — instead they’re given cases of Mouton, including (of course) bottles from the year in which their label was used (a value of $170-$800/bottle).

Gallery: Chateau Mouton Rothschild Labels

By Rigel Gregg. Source: www.luxist.com


Featured Wine Label Design: Creation

Creation Wines packaging designer Patrick Humphreys shares with us his thoughts around the concept of the Creation Wines label.

“The idea of naming a wine range Creation was a challenge in itself.
After considering different routes, we decided to go with a
typographical concept in deference to the diverse interpretation of
the name”.

“The target market is young conservatives, so a minimalist
san serif approach was used on a ‘wraparound’ label, keeping the
central area clear to allow  the Creation logotype to ‘float’ in
empty space”.

“The range is currently enjoying good acceptance and
healthy sales in Europe and South Africa”.


23 Carat Gold-Cuvee Champagne

Gold-Cuvee Sekt mit Blattgold is a Gold-Cuvee Champagne with flakes of real 23 Carat Gold.

Imagine the aesthetic appeal of a glass of glittering alcohol, the golden bits shimmering as they’re swirled around by the natural rising of the bubbles.

The bubbly, which is brewed in a cellar on the Rhein River in Germany, can be bought at Design 3000 for only 14,50 € or about $21.50 US.

A unique way to celebrate upcoming Valentines Day!

Source:Trendhunter

January 2008′s 5 Most Popular Articles

For your reading pleasure, here’s January 2008′s 5 most popular articles:

A Huge Collection of Wine Labels

Over a thousand different wine labels conveniently sorted into around a hundred different categories.

Wine Trends 2008

Sustainability, building trust, consolidation and better efficiencies. Mike Carter predicts some wine trends for 2008.

Unique Packaging for Revelry Wines

Wine packaging that bridges the design gap between bottle and box. And it’s also 100% recyclable!

Global Top 10 Wine Blogs

Ranking the top global wine blogs.

New Online Wine Marketing Ideas from the Old World

How a French wine company is using viral marketing to build their email list and promote their wine-a-day program.