Thoughtful Gourmet: Spin it Round Again: Spin the Bottle Cellars

Wine should never be taken too seriously. Instead, wine should be a pleasure, an enjoyable addition to a meal of any size. Spin the Bottle Cellars takes the enjoyment of wine to a clever, new place. Three varietals, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Red Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot, the grapes sourced from California’s Central Coast, each feature a bottle that spins on the label.

Created using lenticular printing technology, the printed bottle image has an illusion of depth and the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles. So cool! And, a big step up from the days of yore (late 1970’s) when rock posters (Gene Simmons and the boys from Kiss come to mind) were designed to follow you as you moved. A bottle of Spin the Bottle Cellars makes a noteworthy gift for this feature alone. Even better, the wines, priced at $15, display lovely varietal character that make them easy weeknight wines.

2012 Chardonnay is lightly oaked but the flavor is fresh and bright, perfect with roast chicken or popcorn.

2011 Red Wine Blend is earthy, rich and tremendously juicy. The full-bodied character of the blend’s Syrah is tempered by mellow Merlot and a lighter-style Cab. Perfect with pepperoni or a spicy chorizo pizza, the Red Blend also paired beautifully with Korean spiced chicken wings.

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is a leaner style Cab with just a bit of flesh on its bones. It worked nicely with a hearty beef stew and buttered noodles.

For an updated version of spin the bottle, download the eponymously named Cellars clever new app (itunes only). Choose traditional spin the bottle and swipe a finger across the screen to put the bottle in motion. Beginning oenophiles may prefer wine trivia while the most daring should give truth or dare a try. Swipe to spin, then the person at whom the bottle is pointing must answer the question that shows up on screen or act out the dare. Depending on your mood, these games are best done in front of all your friends or only among intimates.

As Juliana Hatfield sang, all those years ago: "Truth or dare, I don't care. Spin it round again." The fun, as it always is with party games, is what happens in the moment. These wines, these games are good fun. Santé!