There are wine labels that signal their optimum food match by featuring a corresponding image—typically fish, chicken, pigs, or cows. Tasting notes expand on those recommendations to include specific dishes and flavours. Many who enjoy a buttery, oaked Chardonnay agree that popcorn is a tasty pairing.
Popcorn Chardonnay goes all in to capitalize on this combination. If you love popcorn and this style of wine it just strikes you as a natural match. It’s like something many know yet no one has said out loud.
There is also an element of subliminal suggestion here. Don’t you want to experience this pairing yourself as you imagine buttery, popped kernels, and a glass of richly flavoured wine?
Popcorn Chardonnay is a clever creation. The minimal design works in some ways and could be improved in others. POPCORN set in a bold sans serif typeface is strong and clear. It pops against the stark white label that’s tapered to mimic a traditional popcorn carton. The scalloped shape of the label top suggests popcorn but the structured alignment is such an oversimplification it loses the connection. An irregular mound would be a more obvious representation.
Wine labels abound with metallic gold accents. As a treatment for the single popcorn kernel on this label, it’s misguided. It just doesn’t work. Popcorn isn’t metallic. It’s organic. It’s food. Buttered popcorn is yellow. A simple black and white line drawing with soft yellow accents would be much more natural and appetizing. It would also be more recognizable at a further distance from the shelf. In the few seconds available to connect with a consumer, wise choices in packaging can be the difference between sale or fail.
If the Popcorn branding is enough to secure the purchase, the wine satisfies experientially. It hits all the right notes—oak, golden apple, a bit of lemon and spice, and melted butter of course. Pass the popcorn. Expectations met. Future sales likely.
This is a novel concept and well-targeted. Who doesn’t like popcorn? Now there’s a wine for that.
