From the halls of Montezuma to Inchon to Fallujah, the United States Marine Corps have proved themselves to be the meanest, toughest, most resourceful warriors on the planet.
Now, a single test remains for this hallowed assemblage of fighters:
Make a rich, smooth Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fortunately, the former Marines at Firestone Vineyards are meeting the challenge, by producing “Jarhead Red.”
The wine is “a robust, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged in French oak barrels for eight months. It offers flavors of plum, cassis and black currant with fine tannins on the finish,” according to Firestone’s website. “Jarhead Red is available in 750ml (the Rifleman) and 1.5L (the Sergeant). Occassional availability on larger formats including 3.0L (the Sergeant Major) and 5.0L (the Commandant).”
Third-generation wine grower Adam Firestone (CAPT 1984-91) and vineyard foreman Ruben Dominguez (SGT USMC 1979-84) came up with the Cabernet in “in 1999 as a celebratory bottling for the annual Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Birthday Ball in Los Angeles,” Firestone explains. “Over the years, the wine gained a following by word of mouth and was enjoyed at Birthday Balls around the country. To meet this growing demand, the wine was released for distribution, with net proceeds benefiting the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.”
And, before you ask, Adam Firestone wants to be clear: “There is no affiliation between the wine and the movie ‘Jarhead.’” Instead, according to a press release, He created Jarhead Red [to] fortify his loyalty to the Marine Corps and [to] extend it to his skill in winemaking.”
Ooo-rah!
(Big ups: TH)
That’s “aged in FREEDOM oak barrels.” I’d think that USMC wine wouldn’t be caught dead in anything French =8^).
Good Morning Folks,
This seems to be rather bad timing for what at best might be another nitch wine that sells a few hundred cases and ends up in the 99 Cent store.
With the military is down playing alcohol for deployed troops and with drinking implied in at least one of the current investigaions of improper behaviour by U.S. Soldiers and Marines the timming of the launch of this product seem to be illconceived.
What’s next, custom “Viagra” tablets with the Globe, Anchor and Eagle stamped on them, for the “Gurnts” in Afghanistan and Iraq?
I think it may be time for Corpotate American to set aside the “quick buck” for awhile and get down to supporting our troops and not their bottom lines for a change.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
Another Marine Corps wine line tempts the palate: San Francisco’s Marines’ Memorial Club has a house wine available called Marine’s Memorial Club Cabernet. This wine is very rich and wonderful to the palate.
The portrait on the bottle is of the late Bruno Benziger of Benziger Wines. Bruno served at and survived Iwo.
If I may be so crass as to pug the Marines Memorial Association
Marines’ Memorial Association
Bruno Benziger (1926 – 1989), patriarch of the Benziger family, served in the 3rd Marine Division. Always Faithful – it’s what he exemplified for his country, his family and the winery. Established in 1946 as a Living Memorial to the Marines who lost their lives in the Pacific during World War II, the non-profit Marines’ Memorial Association offers Membership to former and retired members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. http://www.marineclub.com
Semper Fi!
Shemper Fidelish
Um, Edward?
corps
Pronunciation: ‘kor
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural corps /’korz/
Etymology: French, from Old French cors, from Latin corpus body
1 a : an organized subdivision of the military establishment
And they also have esprit de corps. And on the top of officer’s covers is a quatrefoil. And, notably, there’s Belleau Wood, where many U.S. Marines were “caught dead” after being told repeatedly by retreating French forces to turn back. “Retreat, hell,” answered Marine Captain Lloyd Williams. “We just got here.”
Goodnight, Chesty Puller, wherever you are.
Byron,
Did you actually read the article? The proceeds go to the scholarship fund. That is hardly ‘corporate’ America.
“It offers flavors of plum, cassis and black currant with fine tannins on the finish.”
Since cassis is French for blackcurrant (Ooo-duh!), it seems this wine may be somewhat lacking in complexity.
Byron, I think there’s a “Spelling for Marines” MCI course with your name on it.
So two former Marines make this wine and donate all profits to an educational scholarship and you want to complain. Maybe if you ever wore the “Eagle, Globe and Anchor” (and that is the proper order), then you wouldn’t be so quick to pooh pooh other people’s altruistic attempts to help their fellow man.
Hmm, I note that the label is done in Cavalry Red/White. Being a has-been cavalryman this would be a Good Thing. Guess I’ll have to go scout out a bottle.
Well… if it’s better than Thunderbird, it can’t be too bad. After I sample it, maybe I’ll recommend it to Father Regis for communion. He’s a former Koren-vet, Doggie cannon-cocker.
How does a salty old Marine buy some of this semper fi wine?
Gentlemen you can buy JarHead Red from the very nice folks at Carlsbad Wine Merchants, located near Camp Pendelton. They are very big supportors of the Marine Corps Scholarship fund.
http://www.carlsbadwinemerchants.com
or email semperfi@carlsbadwinemerchants.com
Semper Fi
Gentlemen you can buy JarHead Red from the very nice folks at Carlsbad Wine Merchants, located near Camp Pendelton. They are very big supporters of the Marine Corps Scholarship fund.
http://www.carlsbadwinemerchants.com
or email semperfi@carlsbadwinemerchants.com
Semper Fi