Monthly Archives: August 2010

The Swartland Revolution

The Swartland Revolution Poster

Over the past 15 years the Swartland region, (Western Cape, South Africa), has grown in stature and complexity and today there are enough contrasting wines to showcase this diversity over a weekend.

The aim of the revolutionary weekend (12-13 November 2010) is to raise general awareness of the area, and although there might be stylistic and philosophical differences in the wines to be showcased, they all share a common sense of place – as with all great wine regions of the world.

For the first forum we have invited Stefan Ogier from Domaine Michel & Stéphane Ogier from Ampuis, France. He is a world-renowned producer of fine Rhône wine.

There will also be tastings conducted by some of the local producers in formal and informal formats as well as great meals prepared by Reuben (of Reuben’s Restaurant fame) and local culinary hero Mynhardt Joubert of Bar Bar Black Sheep.

Bookmark the date : 12 & 13 November, 2010

More information : www.theswartlandrevolution.com

Ruinart Golden Thread Wine Stopper

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Ruinart, one of the oldest champagne houses in the world (since 1729), has released a special wine stopper called The Golden Thread, designed by Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola (pictured above).

The Fil d'Or or Golden Thread was created to encapsulate the same twisting motion used in the opening of ordinary wire cork cages; the part of the bottle top you have to untwist before opening your champagne. What does it do? Nothing. But it looks very pretty and comes attached to a bottle of delicious Blanc de Blanc. This makes a sophisticated and unusual gift now, or at any point up to and including the holidays. We've never seen anything like it, and imitations are sure to follow.

The Ruinart Golden Thread bottle stopper is available from Sherry-Lehmann for $69.95 (bottle included). It's beautiful enough to keep on display when you're not using and reusing it.

By Annie Scott | Source :: www.luxist.com

Saint & Sinner

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Boldinc were approached by a charming pair of wine connoisseurs to create their own brand and range of wines. It was obvious from the outset that this cheeky couple agreed to disagree. One portrays the characteristics of a shining saint whereas the other depicts the attributes of a saucy sinner. Their passion and expertise provided the platform & perfect formula for sourcing a range of killer wines. The interaction between the two personalities (which resulted in some seriously colourful meetings) was the inspiration behind the new brand. ‘Saint & Sinner’ was born.

S&S loved that descriptors for wines were synonymous with the way we illustrate a woman’s tantalizing qualities.  The pair set out to discover great wines that encapsulated the divine essence of sensual femininity and the intriguing human sexuality.

Five deliciously seductive drops were sourced by S&S from the depths of Australian vineyards; Syrah, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and a Sauvignon Blanc. 

Boldinc were commissioned to jolt this concept into motion. The seductive and tempting ‘Calling Card’ range was born.  The range was based upon Calling Cards or small flyers plastered inside telephone booths to advertise the services of a call girl. Calling cards would traditionally depict a seductress, a provocative description and the phone number to dial to receive her services. A retrospective look at Calling Cards through the ages provides an engaging visual communication of human enterprise that’s both entertaining & authoritative, through cheap colourful 'cottage industry' printing methods.

Boldinc translated this style onto each of the Calling Card variant. Each label depicts unique and dazzling female personalities & her services. Her sassy characteristics are entwined to the tasting notes of the wine inside.  S&S celebrates the distinctive attributes of wine that consumers find so desirable and the complex and subtle characteristics in a woman that can be so enticing. This tongue in cheek range will not be for everyone, it was never meant to be, though we hope the playful qualities shine through.

The wine is aimed at individuals in their late 20’s to early 40’s, both women and men who appreciators of life’s idiosyncrasies. We hope that this range provides many a controversial discussion, during dinner parties.

Each wine comes complete with phone number so the consumer can text for insightful information, cheeky pictures or dangerous specials for purchasing wine in the future.  The naughty interaction between brand and consumer is fun but has a serious side that keeps the brand fresh, drives loyalty and sales.  The Boldinc team thinks you should text to find out!

By Andrew Gibbs | Source :: www.thedieline.com

The Farm

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This wine label design is inspired by a well-known surf break in the South of Western Australia.

The illustration, inspired by the iconic Mambo surfwear brand is reminiscent of the 60s when every good long board surfer had a VW combi to match. The surf break is well known to residents of the Margaret River region and seemed like the perfect inspiration for a wine that would target a younger demographic.

The wine, from Watershed Wines Margaret River has good standout on the shelf due to its bright colouring and individual design.

Designed by brainCELLS | Source :: Lovely Package

Salice Salentino Wine Packaging

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Redesign of an Italian wine called Salice Salentino. In Sweden it costs approximately 7€, which is fairly cheap. When I did the research I realized that many people don’t always remember the name of the wine. They remember the taste, the design of the label, etc, but not the name. In Sweden you can only buy alcohol in places called ‘Systembolaget’.

Systembolaget uses numbers on all of their bottles to identify different wines. Sometimes it easier to remember numbers than names. I wanted to use that in my design and I wanted the design to be simple and clean. The three circles are symbols that ‘Systembolaget’ uses to tell customers how the wines taste, if it’s round, rough, etc. The symbols on the label are diecut.

Designed by Sara Böttiger | Source :: Lovely Package

Mortons & Mondavis Collaborate on Nationwide Wine Event

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Morton's The Steakhouse and the Mondavi family are planning a nationwide wine dinner and charity auction on October 7, 2010 at Charles Krug Winery's historic Carriage House in Napa Valley to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The gathering will be broadcast simultaneously to 54 Morton's private dining rooms via satellite.

The evening's hosts will include Michael Mondavi of Folio Fine Wine Partners, Tim Mondavi and Marcia Mondavi Borger of Continuum Estate, and Peter Mondavi, Sr., Peter Mondavi, Jr. and Marc Mondavi of Charles Krug Winery.

The event will kick off an online auction of the first-ever red wine produced by the extended Mondavi family, Siamo Insieme, which means "We are Together" in Italian. The Mondavi family has collaborated to produce a 27-liter bottle (called a primat); a unique blend of Napa Valley grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, produced and blended by the second and third generation of the Mondavi family especially for this event. This bottle will be auctioned online on Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.'s website October 7, 2010 through October 30, 2010, with 100 percent of the winning auction bid benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Guests in 54 Morton's locations will be served the same menu and wines as guests at the Charles Krug Carriage House in Napa Valley. Menu items include tenderloin crostini and miniature crab cakes paired with Charles Krug – Peter Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, 2009; a harvest green salad topped with sea bass and roasted caper vinaigrette paired with Isabel Mondavi, Sonoma Carneros, Chardonnay 2008; an entree of New York strip sirloin, baked sweet onions with Gruyere, a roasted tomato stuffed with leap spinach and roasted Yukon Gold potato paired with Continuum, Napa Valley, 2007, M by Michael Mondavi, Animo Vineyard, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Charles Krug – Peter Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, VS Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006. The meal ends with cappuccino cream paired with Charles Krug – Peter Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, Zinfandel Port, Lot XIII.

Each Morton's private dining room is equipped with 1080i high-definition programming; a nine-foot screen and theatre-quality surround sound. Members of the Mondavi family's fourth generation will host the event at select locations around the country, from San Francisco to Miami to New York. At each restaurant location, guests will be invited to bid in a silent auction for a trio of premium wines, featuring an autographed bottle from Charles Krug Winery, Continuum Estate and Folio Fine Wine Partners. 100 percent of the winning auction bids from the wine trios will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Tickets are $175 per person.

By Deidre Woollard | Source :: www.luxist.com

Pour Your Champagne The Beer Way

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Want to get the most bubbles out of your bubbly? Scientists (French scientists of course) have discovered that the best way to keep your sparkling wines effervescent is to pour it in a "beer-like" way.

Instead of pouring straight into the glass and waiting for the bubbles to settle before adding more, the best way is to pour the way you would to minimize the head on a beer, by tilting the glass and pouring the liquid down the side of the glass. This way the Champagne keeps its bubbles longer. The flute is also better at holding bubbles than the charming old-fashioned champagne coupes.

The French research found that the serving Champagne at lower temperatures helps keep it fizzy.

By Deidre Woollard | Source :: www.luxist.com