Oh, those Aussies. Always trying to throw out some shockers with the wine labels. I have to admit though, they always make me laugh and it inevitably creates this intense desire to try the wines to see what they are like. Is the wine that good (or bad), evocative?
Comparing cellar notes with my Dad on the phone, he shared with me some of his newest findings that gave me a short lived chuckle. If any of you have tried these, I would love to know what they are like. Or if you have any outrageous wine names, let’s get that going too. It is refreshing actually to find these lighthearted labels (although perhaps opportunistic in a marketing sense). I will say that the Australians have nailed the niche of getting people to buy cheap and cheerful wines exclusively on the label as Wine & Spirits Daily posted a while back.
Anyway, let me know if any you have actually “experienced” these babies. I give them high scores for creativity in the name making at least and some of the ratings I found from Wine Dictator/Spectator:
–Barrel Monkeys 2004, an 16% alcohol Shiraz fruit bomb–oh my!
Supple, generous and nicely focused, showing pure blackberry and blueberry flavors, which linger on the slightly hot finish. Drink now through 2009. 4,000 cases made. –Bruce Sanderson
–Jealous Bitch 2007, Chardonnay from New South Wales
Chatham Imports, hmm…not so sure about the dog on the label. Would be willing to bet though that female dog owners in their 20-30s may be the market.
–Two Hands, Two Gnarly Dudes 2005, Shiraz from Barossa
This name I just loved. It is like Sideways meets those Surfing Chefs down under. The wine description on www.snooth.com describes it as “black to the core” followed by aromas of tar, earth, licorice, cedar, and black, black fruits. Ok, I gather its gonna be very chewy with viscosity that may need a knife. All the reviews were favorable and said it was balanced in alcohol-tannins-acid. This is not a light wine though–14.8% alcohol and that kind of dark fruit definitely will need a rack of grilled lamb chops.
Fire up the barbie mate!
