Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/504216
may 2015 / the tasting panel / 83 The Vin Vault portfolio. Vin Vault Chardonnay is blend of 82% Chardonnay, 7% Viognier and 6% Gewürztraminer. Vin Vault Pinot Noir is a blend of 82% Pinot Noir, 6% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo and 7% other reds. Vin Vault Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Alicante Bouschet; Vin Vault Red Blend is blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Malbec, sourced glob- ally: 63% from California, 20% from Argentina, 9% from Spain and 8% from Chile. When we presented the wines—all box wines, remember—there was a resounding, astonished collective gasp, followed by several cries of "No way!" The collective surprise continued when Gallo announced the price: $21.99 for the equiva- lent of four bottles. "Is that wholesale?" Wheeler asked. "No, no," Gallo replied, "that's retail." "We know the format isn't new," Gallo contin- ued, "but to communicate a premium package, we wanted to emulate a 'vault,' and what makes them truly unique is that we have an emerging varietals program and we've been able to include several of our emerging varietals in our blends." "Yes," agreed Dennison. "We've crafted these wines specifically for the premium box proposi- tion, and we have launched nationally as of today." For the attentive tasters, Dennison clarified a prime Vin Vault brand strategy: "Number one," he said, "we've labeled them NV so as not to be constrained by a specific vintage, but to have the freedom to enhance fresh fruit from a new vintage with some age character from a prior vin- tage. We wanted to keep ourselves able to move forward and not be restricted by the vintage." The bottom line, according to Gallo: "These wines are for consumers who consume wine every day. One of the primary barriers to con- sumption is the thought, 'Oh, I don't want to open a bottle because it will go bad in a few days.' With Vin Vault, there is no guilt associated with open- ing—there's no waste, and the wine will stay fresh for up to 30 days." OVERALL RESULTS FOR VIN VAULT Vin Vault voted Best Premium Boxed Chardonnay in THE TASTING PANEL's Blind Tasting Competition Vin Vault voted Best Premium Boxed Red Blend in THE TASTING PANEL's Blind Tasting Competition The Big Reveal