Wine Alexandria Virginia

Mari Stull - The Vino Vixen™

Are we so shallow and designer obsessed that we’ll conspicuously consume any thing with a logo on it?  Or are fashion designers so unbelievable talented and sef-absorbed that they can transform to oenologists overnight?

Something’s going on because I’ve been noticing an influx of designer wines hitting the shelves lately.  From Martha Stewart to Roberto Cavalli, the lifestyle pied pipers want a slice of the sexy wine market.

Full Disclosure – My Designer Logo Bias

I am the anti-logo chick – rather, Vixen.  Wasn’t always this way – when I was about 16 I begged, pleaded, cajoled, threatened Muslimism conversion (big deal in a Catholic family), and generally made my parents miserable because I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO HAVE A LOUIS VUITTON MONOGRAMMED CLUTCH. Or I would die of fashion deprivation.  

After about a year of melodrama and faux suicide threats, I finally got the thing.  My mother presented it to me with “Darling, I really don’t know why you must wear someone else’s monogram, but if it makes you happy to pretend you are Louis Vuitton, then enjoy.”  I never looked at Louis’ purse the same way again.

Posh Wine – By Victoria Beckham

Generous and sweet husband, David Beckham, recently bought Victoria a share in the Napa Valley Reserve.  Essentially an exclusive Club in the middle of Napa with gorgeous vineyards that are “owned” by members who are entitled to produce several barrels a vintage.  Thinking Posh’s wine will be very thin with a serious finish that allows for no smiling.

Cavali Selections – by Roberto Cavalli
 

A Super-Tuscan (essentially a Bordeaux blend) that was just released in NY a few months ago, the wine is packaged in black box with leopard print lining.  Alongside of the bottle, are two black glasses that hide the wine and are completely impractical as a wine glass.  About $300 - Go gettum tiger.

Piper Champagne – by Viktor & Rolf

I can’t say anything snarky about this, because I think it’s a very cool concept.  Unlike the other wine designers, Viktor & Rolf stuck to what they know best for Champagne House, Piper Heidsieck – designing.  The Dutch designing duo developed (nice alliteration, huh?) the “upside down” packaging of the Champagne and extended the concept to the wine bucket and champagne flute.  At first appearance, all look upside down – but, are actually functionally rightside up (clear as mud?).

See the website. – Too fun for words.http://www.piper.viktor-rolf.com/

Martha Stewart Vintage – by Martha Stewart

Because Martha knows you can’t take her sober, she has teamed up with wine giant Gallo to produce $15 wines from Sonoma County.  It’s a good thing!

Cheers

 The Vino Vixen™ is Mari Stull – Syndicated wine columnist, correspondent for Wine Taste TV, and member of the Society of Wine Educators.  See her picks in this month’s Travel Girl Magazine  and BlueSky Magazine.  Have a wine question or comment for Mari?  She can be reached at VinoVixen@vinovixen.com.