The label for Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône Rosé builds graphically from the base of the winemaker’s popular red wine label. But for the Rosé, the clean minimal black on white elements have been expanded upon in a playful and expressive way. I’m most fond of Rosé packaging that allows the colour of the wine to shine through. It’s done brilliantly here with a third of the front panel being transparent, grounded by a whimsical white linear pattern on which the brand’s signature X symbol asserts itself in a bronze metallic finish.
As beautiful as this combination is on the bottle, photographing it is challenging. I’ve tormented many photographers, pushing them to capture all the fine details a design has to offer. Metallic details on curved surfaces are a nightmare to shoot and very common in wine packaging.
The capsule is an obvious opportunity to expand on design and brand. Here, the trellis-like pattern from the label is reversed to pink on white topped by a solid band of the same colour. X marks the top of the capsule in the same colours. It may seem like a simple decision to brand the top of the capsule but you do the customer a great service when you do. Most wine is stored with the top of the bottle facing out. It’s far easier to find “that bottle” if the capsule is branded.
I taste every wine I review. It’s important for the package to express the experience to come. On a warm, sunny afternoon, I took this bottle, well-chilled, out to my garden. When I put it down the light hit it in a magical way. This was the shot that captures the wine, the package and enjoyment to come. The wine is truly lovely. Redolent of the fragrance and fruit of red berries and plums with decent body and yet dry.
Does this bottle entice you? Let me know in the comments below.
