The Auswine Forum

Came across this wine website which seemed innocuous enough until I punched up the order form. Aside from being horrified that they were offering their '01 semillon for $30, I got an instant case of deja vu when I looked at the range of wines. Someone in the Barossa wouldn't be too pleased ... have a look here:

http://www.vindenestate.com.au/index1.html

What do other forumites think?

-- George Krashos

George,

I think I know what you are getting at but its interesting that the offending words are in the site description in inverted commas and don't look like they are on the front of the bottle.

Also if you use this link, http://www.vindenestate.com.au/wine.html it will take you to the right spot

George/Ric

I don't get it...(unless there is a licence on growing Alicate and using a Basket Press?)

Confused
Roy

*lol* My subtlety does get lost on most people ... what I was trying to say was that the wines in question are IMO doing their best to trade off Rockford's Alicante Bouchet (with a slight spelling change) and Basket Press Shiraz. I'm not saying what they are doing is wrong - anyone who knows wine would realise that they aren't the same thing - but I have a feeling it wasn't done accidently either. Basically, do they need to do this to sell their wine?

-- George Krashos

George

Saying the wine is ABC Basket Pressed Shiraz is like saying it is ABC Hand Picked Chardonnay.
From what you are saying, only the first winery to use these terms (which Rockfords was not), should be able to use such terms.
These terms are more than just common marketing techniques, they are production methods, and as such, informs the buyer of some important information straight away while looking at the label.

The second point is that Alicante Bouschet is a bloody grape variety for heavens sakes

Have to agree with Roy here, George. There are plenty of wines using the "Basket Press" method of processing their fruit & subsequently use it in their marketing, either on back labels or in their name, it's a very traditional method. I also agree with Roy's spelling of Alicante Bouschet, being the correct technical spelling, I just think Rocky probably Australianised it & other Aussies have followed suit

A point of interest re. Alicante Bouschet, is I believe, one of the few red fleshed grapes in production, today.

lantana

Thanks for clarifying that guys, I spent some time going over and over the page and just couldn't figure out what the focus was.

cheers

Just so we are clear, I wasn't villifying this outfit, I was just wondering what other forumites thought about their marketing thrust.

Oh, and I totally agree with you about basket pressED shiraz, Reynell have had one forever (and a good drop it is too ...). However, if we suddenly saw (and I know he won't mind me using him as an example) Charles Melton Basket Press Shiraz, would that be okay?

Also, I know that alicante is a grape variety. What I'm wondering is whether they started producing alicante because they are enamoured with the variety or because there are lots of punters out there who are enamoured with about the only other alicante out there and they want to hop on the gravy train .... slick marketing or rampant opportunism? Me? It just turns me off their wines.

Good drinking to you all!

-- George Krashos