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Judging a book 'buy' its cover (sic)
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 5:10 pm
by McLaren Vale Vine Doctor
Any nominations for the best looking wine lable design?
Metala White Label - Old School Charm
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 5:28 pm
by DJ
I voted yes because there are heaps of labels you can't see on the self. Way back in the distant past when I worked for Hardy's one job I had to do was neck tag Nottage Hill for a promotion. It often took ages to spot it on the shelf - a beige label amongst heaps of other beige labels.
Hence easy to over look yet another boring label. Mind you most of my buying these days is very planned - often from cellar door or over the net at which point labels aren't as relevant as reviews.
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:02 pm
by chillwrx
Trevor Jones Boots labels. The green/gold with a pair of wellies looks fantastic and really ties the range together.
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:32 pm
by Glen
The Armagh
Calligraphy rules!
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:25 pm
by Daryl Douglas
Maybe a nice-looking label, cachet region etc, may help sell wines. Pity about Koonunga Hill. I voted "no".
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 12:17 am
by jester
Cullen DM Cab Merlot has had a lovely label in the past, haven't seen the last couple of vintages but presume it is still similar. Quite classy looking I think.
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 8:55 am
by GraemeG
Well, a shocking label wouldn't put me off. So I guess the answer is no. If all else were equal it might, but then, all else is never equal. I think Ch. Margaux has a classy label, if dull. A label can be as dull as ditchwater so long as it is consistent. I think the simple old labels are good - Seppelt in the 80s, Lindemans in the 60s/70s. Which is why I like to see labels with continuity - Mount Mary has seen almost no change in 25 years. And I have a sneaking admiration for the upraised 'couldn't give a ___' finger of labels like Wendouree and Yarra Yering.
cheers,
Graeme
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:12 am
by Sean
deleted
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:25 am
by Partagas
Agree with jester, Cullen has a very classy label. Also Henschke, pure class.
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 12:21 pm
by n4sir
Generally speaking the look of the label doesn't influence at all what I buy, although there is the one exception where I don't intend to drink the contents anyway (that being a Penthouse Pet series of Tawny Ports).
That said some labels are more attractive than others - I agree Cullen DM is superb and pretty unique (and the rest of their series for that matter), something that's classy with a dash of gold & colour that screams out 'Australia' without going over the top. I'm a little surprised it hasn't spawned a number of close imitations like Henschke for example.
Cheers,
Ian
Style vs. Substance
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 12:21 pm
by McLaren Vale Vine Doctor
Style vs Substance.
Then you see labels that really try hard on the package.
http://www.kidyounot.com.au/
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 12:34 pm
by platinum
Cant really say labels make me buy a wine because I still think about the place/vintage/variety etc before I buy.
If I had to name some of my favourite looking labels they would be James Irvine Grand Merlot, Wirra Wirra Chook Block, Balnaves The Tally and Henschke.
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:33 pm
by GrahamB
As I work in a bottleshop, the label sells most wines. If you believe that most wine in bottleshops is purchased by women, and I do, an attractive label will catch the eye and sell the wine.
One exception is the Stephano Lubiano which is a classy wine but too expensive for my ladies.
Graham
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:50 pm
by Craig(NZ)
herons flight sangiovese
charles melton nine popes
00 Mouton
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 2:43 pm
by Partagas
Don’t know my opinion is shared by others, but I have always thought Rosemount mid to low range of wines have an attractive bottle and label that stands out.
However, my opinion on the wine is very negative. I believe this type of wine stopped me from enjoying wine sooner. As the first intro to wine usually came form stealing sips from your mum and dads bbq’s, there was always that bottle of diamond label at every party that stood out. Over the years I’ve tried tasting a range of different Rosemount wines (usually form other peoples bottles) but have never found anything even quaffable.
In a nut shell, I believe that particular label was/is bought as a default wine (low-mid price drinkers) by a lot of people who believe it will “look good†if they bring it to a function, but the wine itself is very ordinary.
I’m not trying to bag the name, but just think it is relevant to this topic. Also must reiterate this is only my opinion on the wine, so no offence intended diamond label drinkers

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 11:19 am
by Mike Hawkins
I have a soft spot for the Chateau Mouton labels. Shame the contents of the bottle don't always live up to the label....
Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 11:55 am
by Baby Chickpea
Rousseau Chambertin labels I adore (Petrus too). Also like the simplicity of Lafleur, Le Pin, Trotanoy, d'Yquem labels.
Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 1:46 pm
by monghead
Always liked the Majella labels.
In terms of pure class for wine packaging, I reckon the Bass Phillip Reserve would be up there.
Over the seas? Well, always fancied Margaux, Haut Brion, and Sassicaia (not sure of spelling here)
Cheers,
monghead
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 4:37 am
by KMP
I quite like
this one.
Mike
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 8:12 am
by TORB
Wine label Design - My choice would be 'Black Chook'
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 11:54 am
by Leigh
I think a good wine label is designed to catch your eye when scanning the shelves. Take for example the 'Black Chook Shiraz Viognier and Sparkling Shiraz'. These wines are very nice and also have a unique design on the label which stands out on the shelves. When I first tryed this wine, I bought it because it was a Ben RIGGS wine, not for the label.
If you like Sparkling shiraz give the 'Black Chook a go. It has smooth integrated fruit and a rich weighty texture.
Cheers
Leigh
Re: Wine label Design - My choice would be 'Black Chook'
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 3:31 pm
by McLaren Vale Vine Doctor
Leigh wrote:I think a good wine label is designed to catch your eye when scanning the shelves. Take for example the 'Black Chook Shiraz Viognier and Sparkling Shiraz'.
Leigh
Leigh, I was in the airport in Sydney, T2 and looked at what the bar had for sale... Black Chook does stand out from a shelf.
I was looking for McLaren Vale wine only of course.

Black Chook
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 4:16 pm
by Leigh
Hi James.
It's a great label. The 'Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz' bottle even looks better with a bright red wire cage on the top and it is well priced for around the $16.
Have you tryed either of the two?. The wines are produced primarily from McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek fruit. I agree with you about McLaren Vale wines. I have tryed several MV shiraz's in the past week and they have all been great.
Cheers
Leigh
Chooks
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 4:22 pm
by McLaren Vale Vine Doctor
Yep, I have had the Shiraz Viognier. I have used it as a benchmark wine before - it is very good value for sure.
I am interested to try the Sparkling Shiraz and will keep an eye out for it.
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 4:58 pm
by Santa
Re: Judging a book 'buy' its cover (sic)
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:32 pm
by Scotty vino
Didn't actually try this wine but judging by its 'cover' I probably didn't miss much.
Re: Judging a book 'buy' its cover (sic)
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:11 pm
by TravisW
Gaja. Pure class.
Re: Judging a book 'buy' its cover (sic)
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:18 pm
by Mike Hawkins
Dom Perignon - iconic....