In what feels like one of the most bizarre and ill-conceived product announcements of the year, hard-hitting Hulu drama The Handmaid’s Tale has just released a line of wines.
As revealed by People on Tuesday morning, online wine marketplace Lot18 has partnered with MGM Television to offer a range to “celebrate” three of the show’s strongest female characters. It is an interesting brand extension for many reasons, one of which is that barely any drinking takes place in the show (in fact, drinking is illegal in Gilead, the dystopian dictatorship in which the fictional drama takes place).
Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, and the subsequent 2017 series, are widely acknowledged for highlighting women’s rights issues, and have proven particularly timely in the modern news cycle.
The announcement includes tasting notes for each bottle in the line, each of which is named for a character in the novel and series.
Protagonist Offred is akin to a Pays d’Oc Pinot Noir, apparently, with the wine’s label stating, “We honor Offred with a wine that will stay with you long after you’ve finished your glass and a powerful experience you will never forget.”
Meanwhile, Ofglen, one of the shows other main characters, has “inspired” a Rogue Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is “a daring testament to the heights that Oregon Cabs can reach, featuring concentrated flavors of cherry, plum and coffee bean that give way to a warm, spicy finish.”
As well as the two reds, the range includes a white Bordeaux Blanc. Representing Serena Joy, the wife of Commander Fred, the “sophisticated, traditional, and austere” wine reveals “layers of approachable white grapefruit and lemongrass, backed by weight and concentration.”
Just like Offred’s Pinot Noir, this announcement leaves a long-lasting impression.
