The Walman Report®
Featuring
Travel Restaurants Entertainment & Wine 
By Nancy Walman
As Seen in Delta & Continental In-flight
Magazines, CulinaryGourmetNY, The Internet World Guidebook & Syndicated to Newspapers, Magazines
& Websites Worldwide
Copyright 2005 by
Punch In International® News Syndicate
http://www.punchin.com/ E-Mail: walmanreport@punchin.com
Punch In is Proud to be the Recipient of the
Prestigious 5 Star Web-Award For Distinguished Content
Wine On Line®
Nancy Walman, Publisher
BROWN-FORMAN INTRODUCES NEW FRENCH WINE
Gala Rouge Brings Vintage Poster
Art to Wine
Brown-Forman will introduce its new French wine, Gala Rouge, at the International Vintage Poster Fair in New York City on October 21, 2005. In an effort to simplify the American approach to French wines, Gala Rouge captures the essence of vintage poster art by using a familiar image that evokes a sense of style.
“To many Americans, the selection of a French wine is a puzzling and unsettling experience,” explains Laura Simmons, Gala Rouge brand director. “For one thing, the labels are confusing because most Americans aren’t familiar with the various wine producing regions of France.”
To this end, Gala Rouge has a much more simplified approach. Unlike most intimidating and confusing French wine labels, Gala Rouge capitalizes on the familiarity of vintage poster art and breaks away from traditional French wine packaging offering a wine that’s approachable and recognizable.
In an effort to demystify the French wine label, Brown-Forman, with help from packaging firm HKA, commissioned noted Southern California artist Jim Salvati to develop a signature statement for the Gala Rouge label.
“We asked him to create the label with the same look and feel as the vintage posters that are all the rage in homes and bars,” said Simmons. “Additionally, we wanted something fun and whimsical that proclaims that this is a wine with a sense of style that should simply be enjoyed with friends and not taken too seriously.”
Salvati elected to go with a vintage poster art look that depicts a Roaring Twenties flapper perched on a swing wearing black evening gloves and a flowing skirt that’s billowing in movement. The skirt is red for Gala Rouge Pinot Noir and light amber for Gala Rouge Chardonnay, the two available varietals.
The Gala Rouge label art is not
just an ordinary wine label – it’s truly a work of art. The label art has been
reproduced as a poster art print and is available for purchase. Whether
it’s a bottle of Gala Rouge on
your table or the framed label on your walls, Gala Rouge brings a sense of
style to your home and life.
The choice of varietals – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – are familiar to French wine consumers as the popular types of wine from the famed Burgundy region of France. Pinot Noir in particular, has recently gained widespread attention due to the popularity created by the movie “Sideways” – with sales growing 24% in the last year.
Gala Rouge Chardonnay and Pinot Noir retails for $9.99 per 750ml bottle and is designed to appeal to wine buyers in the 25 – 40 age group. The wine is currently available in key markets, including the northeastern U.S., Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, North & South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, and Florida. The wine will be available nationwide beginning January 1, 2006. Gala Rouge is from the Languedoc region and is produced and bottled by Bon Vivant Vineyards of France and imported by Brown-Forman Beverages.
Brown-Forman Wines is a
part of Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, Kentucky. It markets Korbel Champagnes
and produces and markets Fetzer, Sonoma-Cutrer, Bonterra, Mariah, Jekel, One
Wines and Virgin Vines from California; Bolla and Fontana Candida from Italy;
and markets Michel Picard and Gala Rouge Wines from France, along with
Durbanville Hills from South Africa.
Gala Rouge
WHAT: Gala Rouge French Wines capture the essence of vintage poster art with a wine that’s easy to drink.
Gala Rouge represents the best of both worlds – a
French wine that says “quality” but in a way that is approachable, fun, and easily recognizable.
WHY: To eliminate the confusion and intimidation often caused by French wine labels, Gala Rouge offers a wine that many Americans can identify with by capitalizing on the familiarity of vintage poster art.
WHO: Produced and bottled by Bon Vivant Vineyards, France. Imported by Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, Kentucky.
WHEN: The wines are currently available in select markets, including the northeastern U.S., Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, North & South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, and Florida. The wine will be available nationwide beginning January 1, 2006. The retail price is $9.99 for a 750ml bottle.
DESCRIPTIONS: Gala Rouge Chardonnay is round and supple with
hints of yellow fruits and almond with a citrus aroma finish.
Gala Rouge Pinot Noir has subtle touches of black cherry and blackberry mixed with highlights of woody oak and soft tannins.
Copyright 2005 by
Wine On Line® News Syndicate
http://www.wineonline.net/ E-Mail: mailto:wine@punchin.com
Suggested Links: www.danperlman.net (Wine Oriented))
www.saltshaker.net (Food, Wine & Life)
WineWeekly.com (Wine Reviews)
These reviews are available and have been seen on the Internet. Click here to see an index of other reviews on the worldwide web <http://www.punchin.com>. <http://www.wineonline.net>. They have been heard on WNCN, WEVD and WQXR radio, seen in Fodor's and Mobil Guide Books, and printed in Chocolatier, Troika, Trump and Metropolitan Millionaire magazines and newspapers and throughout the world, including the NY Post, Women's Wear Daily and the NY Times, via the Punch In International Network. This review may be reprinted free of charge, so long as source and byline credit are included: "The Walman Report," "Punch In International®," Wine On Line International®.
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE PUNCH IN HOME PAGE
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO WALMAN'S NEWEST REVIEWS
CLICK HERE FOR WALMAN'S HISTORIC REVIEWS
CLICK HERE FOR INTERNET WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE
CLICK HERE FOR BROADWAY ON THE NET