Vionta view of Rias Baixas coastline

A spectacular vista of Rias Baixas Val do Salnés  coastline

Bodegas Vionta (Rias Baixas) sports an impressive view (above). You can see that most of the vineyards in Val do Salnés are quite small, in fact the average size for all of Rias Baixas is .59 ha. There are 4,759 growers in this sub region alone! Groupe Freixenet purchased the property in 2012. It includes a state of the art winery, impressively landscaped gardens and a beautifully appointed reception centre. (Vionta is the name of a protected island off the cape in the distance.)

During our visit we were shown a new “lifestyle” wine: “You & Me” 2013 is a 100 percent Albariño, that sports floral notes and bright tropical fruit flavours, with a light juicy stone fruit palate. It makes for a perfect sipper or a good partner to gently spiced plates. Coming to a wine shop near you, soonish. 89 pts.

But that wasn’t the point. It was really about the packaging. You & Me comes bottled with three different labels. We were asked which we thought would be most appropriate for our respective markets.

I thought it kind of a fun exercise to share, so here are the labels…

 

Feet label

You & Me "Feet" labelI have to admit that I thought this concept is by now a little ‘tired’. After all, that whole feet up feet down thing goes back more than a few years. My guess is that this label would do well in private stores but I have a hunch that the government stores might have an issue with the label. Just a hunch, mind you. Though God knows why. (BTW that foot on the right isn’t really deformed. It’s just my photo…)

Bicycle label

You & Me bicycle labelThis is kind of cute, although somebody joked that Canadian monopolies would have a real problem with it—because they’re (gasp!) not wearing helmets. I thought it was a bit telling because the guy is “driving” and might be more fun if the gal was—and he was carrying the picnic. Just a thought. Good for their target market, which is stay at home couples and friends. And maybe this label would be really good for bicycle savvy  Vancouver…

Cassette label

You & Me cassette labelThis is the most fun and edgiest of the options. I did have to give it a second glance to see what it was—not a bad thing. But I do think it appeals to the younger drinker more than the other two. Unlikely to get lost on the shelf, which the ‘bicycle’ label likely would. Not so sure about “The White Experience” on all of these. But that’s probably going to change, which is a good thing.

 

What do you think?

Please comment below!