Cafes & Wineries

This time of year the wine lover is inundated with T-day wine recommendations…&quotGerman Riesling is perfect with turkey&quot….&quotA Beaujolais is a sure bet on Thanksgiving&quot….&quotBurgundy, both red and white are ideal on your Thanksgiving&quot…..etc. etc.

I for one am tired of staid poultry & stuffing wine pairing suggestions. 

How about something different to eat and drink on Friday - the day after turkey day?&nbsp May I suggest a Vermentino, not from the sardinian coast, but from Lodi, California.  Who knew the California version of this hefty-spicy-herby-citrusy grape could be so true to its Italian roots?  After racking up mo’ mo’ credit card debt on Friday, take the edge of with a plate of turkey enchiladas paired to Uvaggio Vermentino 2006 ($10).   It will be the best wine-food match you will sample all week.

Original post by beau

The judges have narrowed the field down to three finalists.  To the Juice Crew members: Please vote for your favorite label by sending a message to me by 5 December.  I will tally up the votes and announce the winning design shortly thereafter.  Thanks to all the contestants!

Design 1

Design 2 (font + label concept)

Design 3

Original post by beau

Are you the Mac-daddy/-mommie when it comes to creativity? 

Have you ever looked at all the blasé wine labels out there and thought, "I could do so much better."? 

Well, here’s a chance to explore your creative side and score a case of a soon-to-be classic red wine - Juice Crew Red.

So far, the J.Crew has nicknamed our maturing vino, &quotThe Mighty Brick."  I think we′d like the label to reflect her personality (perhaps listening to a little Rick James could inspire potential label designers out there):

&quotSo all and all, the blend has resulted in what we wanted - a rich rhone style wine with some backbone. The different varietals playing nicely in the sandbox. Great dark color, long sexy legs and built to party&quot

Here′s the deal - submit a label design, which reflects our sexy Rhone brickhouse and you could win…1 case of JC Red.  Now that’s what I call a case for creativity!

Details: Submit* your design entry by November 15, 2007.  The editor will select 4 designs to be voted on by Juice Crew members and Basic Juice readers.  The winning designer

*by submitting a design, designer retains no rights to design, but will be credited by name

Gentlepeople, start your creative engines..

Original post by beau