PALIN SYRAH: WINE DRINKERS BALK AT A CHILEAN WINE WITH HINTS OF ALASKA

Fox News ^ | September 24, 2008 | Jennifer Lawinski

[Fox_Mulder77]

An organic wine from Chile has oenophiles in San Francisco turning up their noses. But there’s nothing wrong with the wine. It’s the name that bothers them:

Palin Syrah.

The wine from a boutique vineyard in Chile was once a strong seller, but now it’s an outcast in the City by the Bay because its name comes way too close to a certain governor from the state of Alaska, says Celine Guillou, co-owner of the Yield Wine Bar.

Palin Syrah — pronounced Pay-LEEN — takes its name from a ball used in a Chilean-style hockey game, and it has been on the bar’s wine list for a while. But sales have plummeted ever since John McCain named Sarah Palin to be his running mate.

“Before McCain made his announcement it was selling very well, because it’s an affordable wine and it’s from South America,” Guillou said. “Then he made his announcement and we hear people making comments constantly about the wine.”

[Loyalist]

Ah, those San Franciscans, clinging bitterly to their wines and irreligion.

[shadeaud]

I’m sure we could use a case right here in the Alamo City

[r2167]

I just ordered a case from winelibrary.com! Hope it’s good. :-)

[raygunfan]

i may check my local state store to see if they have this wine...

[Right Brother]

Perhaps, if they pair this up with the Syrah, they'll feel better:

[imintrouble]

Ah yes San Francisco - elitist heaven - where they toke and sip in great splendor - carefully stepping over the homeless, the addicted, and those riddled with AIDS/HIV - pretending these poor souls too have a dedicated place on the revered sidewalks of San Francisco.

The center of the universe they keep telling themselves - forgetting their economy is heading for the cesspool.

They can’t even find a man for the job as their leader.

[shadeaud]

Did a search and found it available at Rotondo’s wines. Ordered a case @ $10 and change per. Will make terrific Christmas gifts to my liberal amigos.

[Libloather]

David Hinkle, a wine buyer with North Berkeley Wine in Berkeley, Calif., which is the West Coast importer for Palin Syrah, said the wine’s Chilean producer called him to ask if he thought McCain’s pick would have any effect on sales. So far, he said, they have remained stable. In addition to the Palin Syrah, the Palin vineyard also produces Palin Carménère and Palin Cabernet Sauvignon.

But it appears that not everyone in the U.S. wants to put a cork in Palin Syrah.

In Houston, Palin Syrah has been flying off the shelves at Cepage Noir Wine Company. The store, in the Republican stronghold of Texas, once had cases stacked 20 high, but now only 74 bottles remain.

And sales have been strong even in solidly Democratic New York City. Appellation Wine and Spirits has carried Palin Syrah for about six months, and sales have spiked since Sarah Palin hit the national political scene.

If this is typical - WE'RE IN!

[The KG9 Kid]

We should waterboard liberals with this stuff.

[Libloather]

New presidential seal?

[Liz]