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There’s a lot of competition out there for your wine-buying dollar. Some wineries have found unique ways to get vino drinkers’ attention. Marketing definitely plays a role in what you and I buy. So, a few innovative wineries are playing the “sex card.”
Sex sells. No doubt about it. A wine drinker might pick up a bottle because of a slightly scandalous or playful label. But the proof is in the pudding, or the wine glass in this instance. If a wine is not up to snuff, that consumer will never buy it again, no matter how racy the label is.
A winery that has masterfully used sex as a marketing technique is Napa Valley’s “Folie a Deux,” which means ‘shared fantasy” in French. Folie a Deux also produces three table wines called “Menage a Trois.”
Both Folie a Deux and Menage a Trois labels feature a drawing of two frolicking young women, right? Get your mind out of the gutter! The artwork is actually an ink blot test. You know, the kind a psychologist might show someone to find out how their mind works… not that I have any personal experience with that.
Of course, everyone knows what “ménage a trois” means… right? Again, you have a dirty mind! It means a “meeting of three.” This 2007 red wine is literally a meeting of three wines: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet. This red wine blend is one of my favorites of late.
Menage a Trois 2007 Napa Valley Red Table Wine, $12
WINEMAKER NOTES: Our 2007 Ménage à Trois exposes the fresh, ripe, jam like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Forward, silky and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats or chicken.
Dean Slattery, Tasting Room Manager at Folie a Deux’s in St. Helena, California says, the winery came up the with Menage a Trois concept when they had left over juice from three varietals. Seven years ago they started out with 200 cases. Now, they’re selling a million cases.
“If the wine tastes good and the price is right, customers will come back again and again,” said Dean.
And apparently consumers are coming back.
Menage a Trois also has a white wine blend that features: Chardonnay, Moscato and Chenin Blanc. Yummy.
Menage a Trois 2007 Napa Valley White Table Wine, $12
WINEMAKER NOTES: The 2006 Ménage à Trois white is a trip to the islands without the worry of sunburn or bugs. It’s undeniably fruity and unabashedly easy. It’s meant to be quaffed, not analyzed. Citrus and tropical fruit flavors with crisp acidity. Dare we say it’s refreshing? With food or without, alone or with two companions, this is one of the most exhilarating experiences imaginable.
All the wines in under the Menage a Trois label are very affordable.
Last but not least, Menage a Trois Rose’. This wine is a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Gewürztraminer.
Menage a Trois 2007 Napa Valley Rose’ Table Wine, $12
WINEMAKER NOTES: Good Rosé is like a carnival in your mouth—and not one of your low rent carnivals. We’re talking about your really classy, country fair kind of carnival. Our 2007 Ménage à Trois is the epitome of a good Rosé. No pretension, no pretense. Just a fruit-laden roller coaster ride of raspberries, strawberries, lychee nuts and flowers with a silky smooth finish.
I’m not really sure what a lychee nut is… but I’ll take their word for it.
Although Menage a Trois retails for $12, sometimes you can find the brand on sale. I purchased Menage a Trois at Bel Air grocery store in Sacramento for $8. That’s a steal for a very nice table wine!
To find this great wine in your area, contact Folie a Deux at www.folieadeux.com or call 800-535-6400.
You can visit Folie a Deux’s tasting room daily from 10am to 6pm. They are located at: 7481 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA 94562.
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