Ricciardo puts pedal to the metal with a new wine release

Former Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo is an outgoing sort of bloke, not scared of performing a "shoey" when he feels the time is right. 

 
But there is also an artistic side to Ricciardo, as evidenced by his wine collaboration with St Hugo. 

The latest release in the range is Daniel Ricciardo - 2024 Enchanté Rosé by DR3 with a very feminine label (right).

I'm not sure how much appetite there is among Australian wine devotees for a $40 mataro rosé but the story goes that the new release is "inspired by Daniel’s approach to life" and is described as "the youthful, adventurous and newest member in this prestigious portfolio".

It's a nice wine; blessed with bright, crunchy fruit but with a pebbly, dry finish; refreshing and perfect for serving chilled on a warm day. 

"The decision to create this wine with mataro grapes was made early on by Daniel and I - a distinctive choice in the local rosé market," says winemaker Trina Smith. 

"As you’ll taste, the mataro imparts a beautiful jasmine floral note to the wine, and a long, elegant finish. I’m proud to say it is a contemporary style rosé that is we feel is uniquely Australian.

"While this is a passion project for Daniel, it’s been crafted with the precision of a St Hugo wine and it’s been an honour to work together on such a uniquely delicious project."

The wine is being rolled-out nationally across Dan Murphy stores right now. 

Sponsorships push the boundaries of good sense

Money 1, Good Taste 0 

Sponsorship is a necessary evil in the world of sport, but sometimes companies push just a little too hard.

For instance, the Red Bull-owned Scuderia AlphaTauri Formula One team will be renamed Visa Cash App RB for the 2024 season.

It's hard to imagine even the fiercest of fans cheering on a team with such an absurd name.

And Visa Cash App RB is the third different name for the former Minardi team in the past six seasons, following Toro Rosso and Alpha Tauri.

Visa will apparently be a global partner for both the senior Red Bull Racing team and its little brother.

Visa Cash App RB will reveal its new look for the 2024 season at a launch event in Las Vegas on February 8 featuring drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda with the promise of a “newly designed Visa and Cash App-inspired car livery”.

In another sponsorship-driven move the Sauber racing team will now be known as Stake F1 team: named after the sponsor: a cryptocurrency-based gambling company. Wonder how winemaker/driver Valtteri Bottas feels about that?

Red Bull is also responsible for naming football teams its sponsors like RB Liepzig and RB Salzburg, but naming teams for sponsors is fortunaely banned in many countries.
Some of absurd exceptions to that rule have included the hilarious Insurance Management Bears in the Bahamas, Prima Ham FC in Japan (now thankfully renamed as the slightly less absurd Mito Hollyhock), and Botswana Meat Commission FC in Botswana.

How low can we go? 

Aussie Formula One ace speeds into affordable wine space

Australian Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo has teamed up with Australian winery St Hugo to craft the new Ric Red wine.

Ricciardo describes Ric Red as a ‘Secret Sauce’ - an approachable red blend ready to be enjoyed whenever and wherever.

Ricciardo said he wanted to create a delicious drop with a nod to his Italian heritage. He has teamed with chief winemaker Peter Munro to create a red blend that is described as "secret and unique".

The label is an artwork by Ricciardo's friend and helmet designer Ornamental Conifer (the alter ego of British artist Nicolai Sclater).



“Ric Red is what I pull out when I’m with my best mates and we’re sharing stories and laughs.”Ricciardo said.

“I believe that everyone should have a beautiful "go-to" red, so I was determined to create a social and shareable wine with St Hugo that is easily accessible for whenever the moment calls for it.

"I am super proud of what we’ve created together."

Ricciardo has been involved "every step of the way" from blending to the label design and tasting notes,

The partnership had previously resulted in two limited-edition vintage releases of fine wine range DR3 x St Hugo, which were first released in 2021, together with a hand-blown glass racing boot decanter that sold out in seven days.

Ric Red is an affordable extension of DR3 x St Hugo.

The wine is on sale from today with an RRP of $45 at www.sthugo.com/RicRed.