The Monstrous & Mythological Wine Labels

The makers of the 2024 Merlotta Romagna Albana 'Fondatori'explain that the gryphons on the label stand for alertness & care, perfect emblems of their winemaking philosophy. The vines are guarded as precious treasures, and the vinification process is overseen with a close eye. The result is a curious but delicious dry late-harvest white from Emilia-Romagna that was actually the first Italian white wine to be given DOCG status. $20

The lovers on the label of the 2022 Gulfi 'Carjcanti' Sicilia Biancoare none other than Cupid (representing the winery, according to them) and Psyche (representing the vineyards) whose child was Pleasure (representing, of course, the wine in the bottle). The label is actually based off of a Roman mosaic found near the site of this dry Sicilian white that features a lot of lean green apple notes; great for hard cheese and olives. $35

Well, that's pretty explicitly a cockatrice on the label of the 2019 Günther Steinmetz, Pinot Noir Dhroner ‘Hofberg’, and it seems to be fighting a heraldic lion for a bunch of grapes. The cockatrice is a fearsome hybrid of dragon and rooster whose gaze will turn you to stone, which we're interpreting as symbolic for the stony hillsides of the Mosel providing a mineral backbone to this lifted, pretty Pinot Noir. The lion is just a lion, as far as we're aware. $37

Sticking with Pinot Noir, the 2023 Donnachadh, Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hillsis the product of Drew & Laurie Duncan, who wanted to pay homage to their Celtic heritage with the name Donnachadh (rhymes with 'Hanukkah') and legendary sea monsters on their labels. This one seems to be blowing ocean air inland, which is a great benefit for the hillside Pinot Noir that goes into this wine. That cool sea breeze helps preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes, while the hillside exposure means plenty of sunlight to ripen. $40

And here we have probably the most famous hybrid being in the Western world, in the form of the 2021 Montes Purple Angel. This is a bold and expressive Chilean red, blending 92% Carménère with 8% Petit Verdot from the Apalta and Marchigüe vineyards in Colchagua Valley and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new). The winery's founders chose the Angel as an emblem for protection and to give spirit to the wine - they actually play Gregorian chants in the cellar too. $121

Rémy Martin XO Fine Champagne Cognacis a luxurious blend of up to 400 eaux-de-vie sourced exclusively from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus, with at least 50% from Grande Champagne, ensuring the prestigious Fine Champagne designation. As an crest of the Remy Martin house, the Centaur was chosen for its astrological meanings (Paul-Émile Rémy Martin was a Sagittarius, go figure), but also because centaurs can represent the union of man and nature. $289