Vinderpants: underwear for wine launches in US

Tired of going bare bottle? Fear not – Seattle-based novelty gift dealer Archie McPhee has launched the world’s first underwear for wine: Vinderpants. Made from 95% cotton and 5% spandex, the US$9 tighty-whities fit snugly over most 75cl wine and Champagne bottles.

As reported on db.com, utility for the wine sleeve is minimal, but founder Mark Pahlow is plugging them as a novelty gift for wine enthusiasts with a sense of humour. “Vinderpants are great for dinner parties and blind tastings,” said Pahlow, who suggests they make “an ideal covering for a bottle of Two Buck Chuck.”

Vinderpants have gone on sale on the Archie McPhee website alongside a faux infomercial that runs with the tag line: “Tired of going bare bottle?” Founded in 1983 by Mark Pahlow, Archie McPhee sells an array of quirky products, from bacon-scented air freshener and cupcake toothpaste to absinthe soap. Move over Calvin Klein, it's all about Calvin Wine...

Bocelli launches new Italian wine line

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has launched a new line of high-end Italian wines with his brother Alberto. As reported on db.com, expanding production at his Tuscan estate, the classical singer has released a100% Sangiovese made from hand-harvested grapes from Morellino di Scansano, and an extra dry Prosecco in collaboration with leading Prosecco producer Trevisiol.

Bocelli has partnered with Seattle-based importer August Wine Group to import, sell and distribute the wines in the US and major international markets. Both wines have just launched in New York, Texas, Illinois, Washington and Oregon, priced at US$19.99 each, and will be available throughout the US by the end of August. Since 2006, August Wine Group has sold Bocelli's small-production wines under the company's boutique subsidiary Small Vineyards.

"When I return home after long trips, the joy that I receive from the taste of wine from my land is hard to match. It brings me back in time, to memories of my father, of him pouring the wine with a quasi-religious respect. I would give anything for him to see what has been accomplished in the past few years; I’m sure he'd be proud," Bocelli said.

“It’s exciting to be part of such a powerful brand, and to be associated with a family that is such a force for good in the world,” said August Wine Group co-founder and director Joshua Hanson. "We’ve had some really great feedback from the trade – we should easily reach our sales target of 20,000 cases this year,” he added.

Based in Lajatico in Tuscany, Bocelli Family Wines is a family-run company owned by Andrea and Alberto Bocelli. The Bocelli family has produced wine on their Tuscan estate for over 130 years. With renowned Tuscan winemaker Paolo Caciorgna at the helm, in addition to Prosecco and Sangiovese, the estate also produces In Canto Cabernet Sauvignon, Alcide – a Sangiovese/Cabernet blend, and Terre di Sandro old-vine Sangiovese.