2003 Red Flyer: Wine-label-centered Sociality

Another great value from Trader Joe's ($6 per bottle), Red Flyer is an inky-dark wine, with medium to full body, and a lot of spice.  The bottle label is pretty catchy, and the overall marketing quotient is pretty high throughout (with a sci-fi / Star Wars theme and a subtle, perhaps unintended, reference to a wagon many of us may remember from childhood).  I'm especially drawn to the intention expressed on the label that the bottle itself is intended as a conversation piece, a variation on the theme of object-centered sociality I blogged about on my main blog yesterday.  Unlike many other wines with a significant marketing emphasis (Marilyn Merlot comes to mind), this one is a pretty good value.  I plan to pick up some more to see if it has the intended [conversational] effect when served to a larger group.

Name: Red Flyer Wine
Home Planet Coordinates: California, U.S., Earth
Fruit Harvested from Original Life Source: Fall, 2003
Top Secret Vinifera Composition: Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignane
Laboratory Data: Acid, pH, Alcohol
Prepared for Colonization in Small Wooden Containment Devices for 11 Months
12-Bottle Units Created for Human Consumption: 15,000
Monetary Output: $8.99
Invasion Begins: March 15, 2005

Red Flyer represents an emerging new genre of wines that I am referring to as "entertainment wines." These wines offer exceptional value and serve as the centerpiece of any dining experience. The fanciful themed label was designed to replicate old sci-fi movie posters, specifically "War of the Worlds" and is meant to spark conversation, bring a smile to the face and laughter to the heart.

This secret blend of Syrah, Mouvedre, Grenache, Carignan, and Clone X is blended in the tradition of the French Rhone wines. Clone X, the secret ingredient, was smuggled from outer space in the hyperbolic chamber of one of the forward thinking grays.

[Update, 15-May-2005: This wine is produced by Hahn Estates.]

[Update, 25-June-2005: The secret ingredient is Durif, aka Petite Sirah.]

Comments

[Juli McDermott]

Yes, yes, a delicious GSM (as the Aussies would say). I keep going back to Trader Joe's for more, a few bottles at a time. Guess I should break down and buy a case; I know I will wish I had when it is gone!

Ah, fond memories of the bargain Quivira Dry Creek Zin a few years back. I'm a huge Quivira fan, but even in the wine club, we don't get bargains like that.

[Jason]

I picked this Red Flyer up for $3 at Trader Joe's! What a deal! Nice find on the durif by the way, how did you track this down?

[Joe]

Thanks for reminding me of this wine! I can't remember whether someone emailed me the secret ingredient or whether it was yet another example of google-based serendipitous discovery. I haven't tried any since the 2003 vintage; given the strength of the 2006 Zinfandels, in general, I may have to stop by TJs to re-sample the latest release.