Featuring outstanding wine-label designs from more than 250 international vintners, this illustrated survey highlights leading designers who have elevated the design of wine labels to an art form. Tracing the history of wine-label design from its early use as a simple utilitarian way of cellaring wine to its contemporary role as the visual voice of the winemaker, this guide features full-color wine labels that have been praised for their bold graphics, unique illustrations, beautiful typography, captivating photography, and powerful words. Each entry includes a profile of the wine, the name and contact information of the producer, the country of origin, and details on the design firms and artists responsible for the labels’ creation. Interviews with the winemakers and designers reveal fascinating stories about the designs, such as the curious images hidden in the steam of an iron on the Dirty Laundry wine label; how the pairing of a donkey and a goat represent a shared philosophy and approach to the craft for a husband and wife winemaking duo; and the true meaning behind Bonny Doon’s illustrative Il Fiasco label. Showcasing originality and creativity, these labels offer intrigue and entertainment, adding another layer of conversation to the experience of drinking a fine bottle of wine.
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Starred Review. Even teetotalers will appreciate the stories behind over 200 contemporary wine labels. Though Scholes doesn't include images of the earliest labeled bottles from King Tutankhamun's tomb, or the first "official" label from Dom Perignon, there is plenty of wine-inspired art here, from the steadfast seriousness of New Zealand's "Anthem," an ode to Ayn Rand, to the comic strips adorning First Drop's and Three Families' bottles, to the slug-taking housewife from Kaz's "Trixi's Secret," to the indelicate "De Puta Madre" from Francois Lurton. Readers will learn about the serendipitous creation of labels for Montes' line of Chilean wines featuring Ralph Steadman's artwork, and discover the drama behind JUSTIN Vineyards' struggle to get their wines to market. Familiar wines appear alongside a terrific selection of lesser-knowns with creative labels, giving ample opportunity for the inspired to learn more about the wines or artists behind the labels. A terrific way to spend time with a bottle of one of the featured wines, and a great opportunity to find a new favorite for the cellar. Photos. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review
"Tanya Scholes has put together the most comprehensive book on the subject of wine label art that I have ever seen. It will simultaneously stimulate your mind and taste buds." —Manfred Krankl, proprietor and winemaker, Sine Qua Non
"Brings the strength and value a label can add to a bottle of wine to life, and its ability to convey the history, future, character, and philosophy deep behind the paper." —Martin Malivoire, proprietor, Malivoire Wine Company
"Tanya Scholes has gathered together the most visually compelling labels and provided a great back-story to the semiotic treasure trove that is the universe of wine labels." Randall Grahm, founder and winemaker, Bonny Doon Vineyard, and author, Been Doon So Long: A Randall Grahm Vinthology
"There is an artistry to winemaking that extends to its packaging. The wine labels showcased in Tanya Scholes's book are the essence of a wine language that people can relate to and actually understand." —Charles Smith, owner and winemaker, K Vintners and Charles Smith Wines
"Confronted by thousands of choices, a simple grocery errand becomes an Odyssean quest. Let author Tanya Scholes shed a little light on the arcane alchemy of wine label design." —Jeffrey Caldewey, founder, Icon Design Group, coauthor, Icon: Art of the Wine Label
"You can't judge a wine by its label, but you can deepen your sensory pleasure by looking more closely at it. This is just the book to help you do that. Beautifully illustrated with surprising insights." —Natalie MacLean, author, Red, White and Drunk All Over and publisher, nataliemaclean.com
"The world of wine is an incredible melting pot of mother nature, people, history, geography, science, art, and design . . . and Tanya Scholes captures it in all its glory. An absolute must." —Matt Skinner, sommelier consultant, educator, and author, Thirsty Work, Heard It through the Grapevine, and The Juice: 100 Wines You Should Be Drinking
"With verve, care, and humor, Tanya Scholes adeptly teases out the magic ghost that exists within a bottle of wine, and helps us understand how that spirit is manifested on the front in all its glory." — Kathryn Borel Jr., author, Corked
An inspiring book. As a wine label designer, it's my toil to ensure I take in as much of what's happening in our industry as possible. What is sadly missing in this exercise however are the stories and motivations behind the labels -- most websites and books only provide pictures. This anthem of contemporary labels provides invaluable insight into the inspiration and thinking behind many of the worlds greatest labels; words from winery owners, winemakers and designers themselves -- a true must have for any designer's collection or simply for the table of any lover of wine and wine culture. Barry - Insite Design
The best wino coffee-table book I've seen - or wine cellar book. Bathroom? Delightfully free of pretension (well, I haven't found any yet). Well worth the wait!
What a perfect, unique gift for the wine aficionado on your list. This book goes far beyond just showing you beautiful labels, and unlocks the stories and the secrets behind the wine. A beautiful book and a fascinating read!
