Back to labels...

Dear wine lovers,

As we are almost done with pressing the grapes, I am now back to what occupied my mind before the harvest (which seems an eternity ago)...

We have received a lot a suggestions, comments and submissions, thank you so much !

Here are all the submitted labels. When you get to the label album, click on each image to see it bigger.

IMPORTANT : For those who have sent their piece of art, please make sure the label is the right one. Also, it is quite possible that I may have made a mistake or forgotten some. So please let me know if I should modify something before we do the "official" poll next Monday.

Cheers,

Jean-Marc Espinasse - Domaine Rouge-Bleu

PS : At this time, label submissions are closed

Comments

[sandyfeet]

What a bunch of stuffed shirts! (I say that affectionately - some of my best friends are on the stodgy side.) I say go bold!
Either #24 or #25 gets my vote.

[Warren Maddox]

Hi Jean Marc,

I am one of the folks who sent along a design, Number 29. I would like to explain my design a bit. The type face would be in red and blue foil. The label itself would be unbleached recycled paper that represents the bio-organic nature of the wine you are producing. The wheel is an ancient symbol also known as the celtic wheel. This is derived from the actual name of the Rhone. The Rhone was initially named from the celts who were in that region first. The Greeks and Romans then came up with the name for the Rhone which was Rhondanus or the Greek Rhondanos. The Celtic origins came from something like "that which rolls". The wheel design simply reinforces the incredible history of this region in which you are in.

Good luck picking the design, they all are very good.

Warren

[Vera]

I don't know enough about wine so I always buy the bottles with the nicest labels - I would definitely buy a bottle with label #12!

[Seana]

I love number 25. So simple, classic, and tasteful.

[Emily]

I will check back for the "official poll" and cast my vote, but as of now I say go with #13 or #29.

[Bob Spencer]

When I clicked on the link, the #6 label just seemed to jump off the page. I was immediately attracted to it.

[Cordier]

Warren ~ Your design #29 was my second favorite. Your type font is distinctive and attractive and your choice of colors pleasing. I would prefere to see the production year on the front label without having to search for it. I would have a hard time choosing between either label #21 or your label #29. Well done!

[Kelly L.]

I also enjoyed looking at all of the labels, and bien sur each has their merits. However, I decided to go with a top three:

A) for marketability (if that's a word?) and general strength of design (great colors, texture, boldness, simplicity), no. 32

B) for sincerity and a sense of history (the font connotes the script of older centuries), no. 19

C) for originality and also strength of design (thought it clever that rouge is en fait bleu and vice versa), no. 2

[Tim Smith]

I like No. 21 the best if the colored squares can be made red and blue. And, please, please, please do not put the types of grape on the front label. That information needs to be on the back label, along with your declaration of using organic principles in growing the grapes and other information regarding the vineyard.

[su]

25 is brilliant. Simple, clear, attractive.

[Marcelle]

I like 21 (classy), 7, 11 and 30, but agree with others that 21 should have red/blue as the colours rather than red/purple. I like to see the type of grape used on the front label. For something modern and simple then my choice would definitely be 24 or 25.

[Carole]

What an interesting and diverse group. I find my response is diverse also. I loved 19 and 30. 19, because it reveals about the place and people, 30, because the lettering on the pastel scene is strong and I think unique. I also believe 31 should be a strong contender because it pulls in the terroir of your vinyard. 21 is gorgeous but perhaps too sophisticated. I am interested in what your responses are.

[jzb]

Mon vote va pour le numéro de modèle 24.
La composition est d'abord bleu ... Ainsi que de simples, propres et contemporain.
PS: Veuillez pardonner mon indulgence; je suis pratiquer mon français écrit...
:}

[Sarah]

No.3 will sell!
1.Eye-catching artistic french flag says french wine!
2.Moon and ladybug says organic!
3.Center motif of glass&leaves would be better if it was done in the style of the moon and minus the black outlining. Yet it does serve as backdrop for ladybug. Not a deal breaker, just could be improved.
4.Paperbag background paper gives an earthy tone, which is welcoming.
Overall:
*It's eyecatching, informative, to-the-point and French! It's for the grab-and-go shopper, not the museum browser.

No. 16 is you!
1.Your beautiful photo of your own vine. 2.Rocky soil, red leaves, bleu sky all say nature's product.
3.Font is old fashioned and would be better with a classier french look.
4.A small fleur de lis or your ladybug somewhere might give the buyer your message on this design.
Overall:
*The photo is your eyecatcher,and a beautiful one for the museum browser :-)

No.2 and No.16:
*This is my favorite of your vineyard photos, but, 'just don't like the designs they are in.

No.19:
*This one with daughter and dog is engaging and warm and in a personal way has the buy-me-appeal, but otherwise has too much swirling font around in it.

Best Wishes for the best! I'd buy it out of old wine skins!!!
And can't wait!

[Sarah]

Oops! my second choice design (discussed above) is listed as #16, but SHOULD BE listed as #18!!!
sorry!!!

[Neil Ward-Dutton]

Only #12 looks like a professional composition to me - it's bold and clean, and would make the wine stand out in a rack or on a store shelf!

[Dave Kelly]

No. 36 is the best by far. Traditional yet modern too in its own way.

[Mélaine Innocent]

All I can say is, I am glad that it's not me that is having to make the final decision. There are some really great ones. I think #21 is very classic and would probably be my choice due to its potential for longevity and not going out of syle. And I love #5 - well, en fait I love the picture - perhaps you should do some postcards with this picture! It is quintessentially French to me! I like also #33 because it introduces that it's an organic wine, (to me this is most important). But I think my favourite is #13, just personal prefernce.
Félicitations to all the artists!

[Miriam in England]

This is such a hard choice! I too love number 30, it jumped out at me as well, because I just love that style of painting, but it doesn't have any rouge or bleu colours in the label. For this reason I also like number 25 which is very bold and stylised, but simple too. It all depends whether you want a traditional or modern look. Good luck in your choice!

[Larry]

I do think you'll have to make a basic decision as to whether you're going "traditional" or modern/hip. And that choice may depend on where your primary market will be--France or overseas. If you want to get into the US market, then I think you'll need a modern eye-catching label--and #11 does that best for me. I do agree to adding composition and vintage if you can. Whatever you do, GOOD LUCK!

[Charlotte]

Hello again,
My vote is for #17. It speaks to the name of the wine by it's colors. It is sensual, different, and easy to remember or describe to the vender de vin. As a new wine student myself these are things that help me shop.

[Sally Smyth]

I am so crazy for your French Word a Day and of course, Jean Marc's wonderful commentaries on his travails getting started in the wine business. The humor and passion are totally fabuleux! I chose number 11 because of it's contemporary yet retro appeal. It breaks away from the many traditional and overly complex mixtures of photos of vineyards and flowery fonts. The colors are eye catching and extremely "now" and as an artist I find it's composition the best of the bunch. The Rouge and Bleu are vibrant!
Sally Smyth, Ocala, Florida, U.S.A.

[Roger]

I love number 11. Seems so chic, so charming.

[Angélique]

36 both stands out and perfectly captures the message of the wine (although I hadn't tasted it) ... maybe all the French Word A Day readers can do a tasting someday.

[Marika U.]

Great labels! I think #21 is elegant,I also like #3 without the moon, #8, but my two favorites are #30 and #36.