Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/816747
May 2017 WINES&VINES 43 PACKAGING Custom bottles F R O M C O N C E P T T O R E A L I T Y GP166698 Select from our premium bottles or custom design the ideal bottle, pewter label or other packaging solution to promote and sell your agship wines. Glass bottle specialists West Coast info@globalpackage.net 707 224-5670 globalpackage.net East Coast usa@estal.info 305 443-7451 www.estal.com/en "It is a shame, since the real joy of dry rosé is because of its lower alcohol (about 13%) and its crisp acidity, both of which make it so enjoyable with just about any kind of food (and) so refreshing when it is hot outside." Kevin Casey at Finnella Cellars began selling his first dry rosé in spring 2016, but licensing prob- lems delayed the release and missed the summer selling season. Although many retailers said "Try again next year," a serious sales uptick from restaurant and retail partners in early winter provided an encouraging sign. Finnella sold out its 2015 vintage, bottled its 2016 vintage on Feb. 16, 2017, and already has sold through 75% of this current vintage through pre-orders and commitments from retail partners, according to Casey. "There is no doubt that the rosé market has seen an almost meteoric rise in popularity," Casey observed. "And like anything else, it will level off and the market will find its equilibrium. But rosé has definitely shaken the stigma placed on it a couple decades ago and is here to stay. This is a won- derful thing for both U.S. consum- ers and winemakers alike." "The global marketplace con- tinues to grow, and wines from all over the world are becoming more and more accessible to everyone. There really are so many great wines out there from all over the world, I cannot invest too much mindshare in what others are doing. I watch the competition, taste the competition and draw inspiration from the best," Casey said. "As a small producer and a winery still in its infancy, the only thing I can do is continue my ef- fort to produce the best rosé in the world (and hope) the rest takes care of itself." In a recent Forbes interview (quoted here with permission), Stephanie Gallo, vice president of marketing with Gallo Family Vine- yards, told Jeff Fromm, "We found that there is strong interest in rosé among millennials, particularly in warmer months but also beyond the summer season. Millennials are almost twice as likely to purchase rosé as baby boomers, so they are clearly driving the purchase trend for these wines. Millennials' grow- ing passion of rosé is indicative of their interest in a more diverse selection of wine overall." Presenting the rosé Dry rosés still are relatively un- familiar to many wine consum- ers. Their hue can vary wildly among brands and blends, so packaging is essential for suc- cessful marketing. Our sources universally bottle their rosés in clear or "flint" glass, which appears clear and showcases the wine's rosy color in all its glory. Lawer Estate's Syrah rosé is one such case, using a classic Bordeaux- style bottle with a deep punt sourced from Napa's Global Pack- Toad Hollow uses clear glass to show off the color of its dry rosé.