New Food and Packaging / Esule wine labels by Mash Design

September 7, 2009 | New Food and Packaging | by Caitlin Zaino |

From the cool cats at Mash Design, comes yet another stellar set of creative, fun wine labels. This time around, Mash’s imaginative energy was put towards a series of designs for Red Heads Studio — an inspired collection of fifteen Southern Australian wines that garner impressive reviews worth boasting about. Though Mash is responsible for a number of the Red Heads Studio labels, the comic book like imagery for Esule stands out from the lot. Here, through imaginative illustrations that reflect ‘falling from grace’, the black and white labels convey the story of how two former kings of the wine grape world — Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc — were cast aside as other varieties came into vogue. But whatever the history, for sure Mash’s stylish design coupled with Esule’s strong wine ratings will help this deep, velvety red climb its way back up in the ranks.

New Food and Packaging / Transglass recycled glassware

June 29, 2009 | New Food and Packaging | by Caitlin Zaino |

The tumblers, vases, carafes, and jugs that make up the Transglass collection are crafted from recycled beer and wine bottles. With sharp lines and clean forms, Transglass is a brilliant fusion of sophisticated design and environmental-friendliness. The series is manufactured by Artecnica’s Design With A Conscience program, which focuses on artisanal labor and craft techniques that promote environmental, social, and economically sustainable practices. Bottoms up.

New Food and Packaging / Matsu’s photographic wine series

June 17, 2009 | New Food and Packaging | by Caitlin Zaino |

Renowned photographers Bèla Adler and Salvador Fresneda have paired together with Spanish agency Moruba to create a modern project for sustainable viticulture: Matsu’s photographic wine series. In this beautiful packaging, the labels for Spanish-based organic winery Matsu reveal the portraits of three generations that devote their lives to the vineyard. Each personality featured on the different bottles embodies the distinctiveness of that wine. Adler and Fresneda’s work captures the characters in a way that brings to life Matsu’s philosophy of linking nature with those that care about it. Through this portrait series, Matsu’s wine trilogy of ‘El Pícaro’, ‘El Recio’ and ‘El Viejo’ is stunningly realized.

Cool Websites / Drop of the Day

November 29, 2008 | Cool Websites | by Michelle Wilding |

I don’t intend on tempting any grape cravings which some borderline AAs may be experiencing, but everyone deserves some red after a long day. Drop of the Day is an easy way to receive fantastic quality wine at an extremely competitive price. Sure there are places online that offer cheaper alternatives, but Drop of the Day offers quality wine that pleases your wallet and your taste buds, too. Better yet, there is a new drop available to choose from each day for around AU$9 per bottle. Hmmm, I recommend you go for the blends.

New Products / Seven Deadly Glasses by Kacper Hamilton

June 10, 2008 | New Products | by Derrick Stembridge |

Young London-based designer Kacper Hamilton has created a set of seven wine glasses inspired by the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath (above), envy and pride.