What About Gimmicks?

Recently I posted a TN that included a wine called "Vampire" and it was produced in Transylvania, Romania and released during Halloween time; something that is obviously novelty, or what I would call a marketing gimmick. I'm not saying it's bad. Marketing is fraught with gimmick. Why, because it sells product; it's a great, proven marketing technique to a point. Hey, it worked on me -- I bought several bottles!

Anyway, I was just wondering if forumites have had any similar experiences with wine that has been marketed with a gimmick of any kind and whether or not it persuaded you to buy. Also, just for curiosity's sake, it would be interesting to discover just how many "gimmick wines" there actually are out there.

Later, Aaron.

Well..a large commercial winery owned by Constellation, Heublein or similar that markets its wine as being produced by a "family" or "artisan wine makers" is a pretty common example of gimmick to me.

Depend's on your definition of the word "gimmick".

The definition of the word is: an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, esp. one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.

That leaves the possibilities wide open and can include any of the following:
Flashy labels meant to attract attention.
Cute labels, especially those containing animals.
Humorous labels like Fat Bastard or Il Bastardo.
Or even wines given exotic names to seem like something Europe would offer like Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Is it good for the wine industry? Yes... many people buy because of packaging, it's just the way it is. A wine producer that doesn't put any thought into labeling is hamstringing him/herself. They walk into a wine shop and are instantly overwhelmed by literally hundreds of wines. What's a muscadet? Is a sangiovese anything like a merlot?

I will say that initially, packaging [and price] were huge influences on whether or not I'd buy a bottle of wine, because I didn't know what the hell I was doing. [I still don't, really.] It's led me to a couple decent and inexpensive table wines that I wouldn't mind buying a case of to drink as everyday. Now, though, I'm more willing to ask for and trust recommendations, it's why I'm on this forum.

The wine department at my local supermarket generally sorts the wine on the shelves conventionally, that is, by grape varietal and country of origin. However, in the last month or so they have started a new section right near the front of the wine department.... wine bottles with cool names/labels. So we now have a section stocked solely with bottles such as Fat Bastard, Mad Housewife, Pinot Evil, etc. without regard to varietal or origin.

What is the world coming to?

Glenn

A friend brought me as a housewarming gift Zen of Zin (zinfandel bottle) dressed in Chinese clothing and with Chinese character (and English translation) charms to put around the stemware so you know which is your glass. That's pretty gimmicky but doesn't mean the wine is faulty.

Isn't there some wine sold in a fish-shaped bottle (hint: to accompany fish)?

Isn't there some wine sold in a fish-shaped bottle

It's the Verdicchio that Thomas loves to hate.