Nature has gifted us with as much variety in wines as there is in the world of animals. Essentially because they both relate and adapt to their environment…
Wine and animals is a common association in the imagination of wine lovers. Just have a look at wine labels and see how many have animals on them !
So what if wines were animals. What would they be???
Let’s have fun matching them with an infographic designed in collaboration with Andrew at hisandherwine.com
- German Riesling: Wolf
German Rieslings are like Wolf’s teeth. Some are for chewing their beautifully-balanced body, others are as sharp as knifes. They’re also smart, structured, organised, and they hunt as a pack: Spatlese, Auslese, Kabinett, Beerenauslese etc. No fat little piggy ever in sight!
- Napa Cab: Bald Eagle
Pretty obvious this one, Napa Cab is the symbol of proud American fine wine. Often bald, full of screaming flavors and character, yet a sharp and precise Bordeaux wine hunter, and killer (for reference, see Jugement of Paris 1976).
- Burgundy Pinot Noir: Mole
There’s often an earthy character to Burgundy Pinots, especially with age. ‘Sous-bois’ say the French (undergrowth is as close a translation as it gets). But it is a sophisticated mole this one, stocking cherries, wild berries and spices in her tunnels, to balance her diet.
- New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: Kiwi
I know, you’re going to argue that Kiwis are almost impossible to see because they only come out in the bush at night, while you can find a bottle of New Zealand Sauv Blanc in any good wine shop around the globe. Well that’s the point!
If flying 13,000 miles (20,000 km from Europe, 8,000 miles ‘only’ from the US) to get a hypothetical chance to see a cute bird without wings is not in your schedule this year, you can still get a emblematic piece of the beautiful Pacific Island with this wine.
- Provence Rosé: Cicada
Of course, they’re both synonym with summer in the South East France. Heat, the need for a refreshing drink, slow life, enjoyment…
- Australian Shiraz: Elephant
I know, everyone would expect a Kangaroo here. But an Aussie Shiraz doesn’t go hoping lightly in your mouth mate! It’s more of a heavy stomping of your tongue, and you can hear the pepper flavors trumpeting loudly from miles away…
- Sparkling Moscato: Kitten
Look at it, it’s so sweet! Everyone loves it, especially girls…
- Vidal Canadian Ice Wine: Canadian Lynx
Beautiful, (cold) and fluffy, yet sharp and characterful. Not always easy to sight, but every time memorable.
- California Zinfandel: Coyote
Good old ZIN. Always chasing after speedy Cabernet, never smart enough to catch it !!
- South Africa Pinotage: Lion
No doubt this is the King of Africa, strong, proud and racy. Some say some of them have a bit of a feline smell though. I’ve never got this close to a Lion !!
- Italy Pinot Grigio: Mouse
Pinot Grigio always make me think of a cute little mouse with round ears, frenetically racing around your palate in a cute manner. Complete the comparison with Mickey Mouse: light, fun and entertaining…
Disclaimer: the above association are meant to be fun. Hopefully they are a bit meaningful too. But there is obviously a lot more to the character of each wine than the fun descriptions of their similarities with animals. We love all wines that are well made with heart. We have a complete respect to all wines, like we owe all animals…
Big thanks to hisandherwine.com for superbly designing this infographic based on an Social Vignerons. Find them on Twitter or Facebook.
Please let me know your thoughts