Critter Wines

So part of the reason for this blog is to share info about the wines I try. Some will be pricey but my main goal is to find good wines at reasonable prices. Today's topic is Critter Wines.

What are Critter wines? These are wines with cute labels and catchy names. They are typically under or around $15 and their main reason to exist is to attract younger consumers to wine. The trend has been that people have been getting into wine in their mid-30's. The Critter Wines attract consumers in their 20's. The idea being that by the time they reach their late 20's early 30's, they will move on to more interesting (better) wines as they can afford them.

Some brands that fall into this category that you may recognize include Yellow Tail (kangaroo), Little Penguin and Cat Pee on a Gooseberry Bush (a very Dr Seuss like cat). In general, these wines have come from Australia and New Zealand but now European countries are getting into the act. I recently purchased 2 whites which caught my eye. Both are from the Languedoc region in the south of France. This area is known for making inexpensive easy drinking wines. Both these wines are classified as Vin De Pays on the French classification scale. Translated it means Table Wine.

Let's start with Arrogant Frog Ribet White. This is a Sauvignon Blanc.



So as you can see they've got the catchy name and cool label part down. Sauvignon Blanc has 2 main characteristics, cat pee and gooseberry (guess what varietal Cat Pee on a Gooseberry Bush is?). Now I must admit, I've never smelled the cat pee in any sauvignon blanc I've drank to date. I guess my precious kittys' (past and present) pee has been too fragrant (in a good way). Well, I smell it now. You don't have to be a winesnob to find it in this wine. This is a good example not only of a critter wine but a sink wine. What is a sink wine? It's a wine that's best consumed by your sink and not you. Now, don't be thinking, I'll just use it to cook. If it's not good enough for you to drink, don't put it in your food. If you are curious, you can find it at your local BC Liquor Store for $13.99.

My second French critter wine is Chat-en-Oeuf.

Cat on Egg. Now this wine, also $13.99 at the BC Liquor Store, is a blend of whites from the same region as Arrogant Frog. The ads in the BC Liquor Store Product Guide say it's received 87 points. They don't mention who's awarded them those 87 points. This wine is drinkable. It's not going to rock your world but it's pleasant. A good patio wine when you're not expecting too much. I served it this evening with gnocchi and pesto sauce and it held up OK.

The BC Liquor Store is marketing both of these as Bistro Wines. Not a bad label as in general, French Bistro wines are inexpensive and easy drinking. Chat-en-Oeuf meets this criteria. There is also a red Chat-en-Oeuf which I haven't tried as of yet. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know.