Straightforward Wines

Straightforward wines

Amid rows of bottles bearing elaborate labels with fancy script fonts and names associated with animals, mountains and creeks, a plain Jane stands out.

The black block lettering on a stark white background, embellished only with a simple fork and spoon silhouette, leaves no question as to what's inside: Red Table Wine.

Charles Smith, who produces the wine that is sold exclusively through Costco, says the straightforward label is about honesty.

He owns K Vintners and Magnificent Wine in Walla Walla. "A winemaker who makes it difficult for customers to remember the wine is doing himself and everyone else a disservice," he said.

Continued here - Straightforward Wines
This story was published Sunday, March 27th, 2005

By Mary Hopkin, Herald staff writer