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Life Lessons from Blue Nun Wine

by Sister Julie on March 23, 2011  J.M.J.A.T.

in random writing

Harper’s Wine and Spirit trades review magazine posted an interesting article about how the 83-year-old wine Blue Nun is re-inventing itself for a younger generation. The German wine, launched way back in 1923, is on a focused mission to appeal to 25- to 45-year-old women “through a range of quality wines that deliver on taste and are suitable for any occasion.”

The new Blue Nun Original white wine, still in its famous blue glass fluted bottle, is now a blend of the Rivaner and Riesling grape varieties.

The brand re-launch also includes a new premium range of four German varietals, including a Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Dornfelder Rosé and Pinot Noir, each with its own distinctive style and character.

Packaging was validated by two rounds of consumer research which included the use of Wine Intelligence’s Vinitrac model. (source)

So, a few life lessons from Blue Nun Wine …

  1. Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s no good. Blue Nun wine may not have been the tastiest, but it’s a vintage icon (no pun intended) that can reinvent itself for a new generation.
  2. Re-invention doesn’t mean throwing the baby out with the bathwater (again, no pun intended). That blue fluted glass bottle?? Classic, baby. So keep the parts that work well, and pitch the rest. Langguth Wines (owner of Blue Nun wine) knows it has a good thing but that the wine itself needs a bit of help from our friends Rivaner and Riesling.
  3. And what’s a nun without a community? Blue Nun no longer stands on her own individual merit but is joined by a group of friends to give diversity and flavor (yet again, no pun intended) to the whole blue-hued family. Welcome, novice wine Sisters Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Dornfelder Rosé and Pinot Noir, “each with its own distinctive style and character”!
  4. Focus, people focus!! Focus groups can be a great help to trying out something new and trying to appeal to a new audience. Don’t just sit around and try to imagine what others think … ask them! Do I seriously want a 65-year-old male business exec trying to get in my head? Um, that would be no. (It’s not safe for him, and it’s not safe for anyone to try to imagine what goes on in my mind).
  5. When in doubt, use big words. What in the name of all that is holy is “the Wine Intelligence’s Vinitrac model”? I don’t know, but I find it very compelling. It reminds me that if I can give something a good, official-sounding name, I just might sound like I know what I’m talking about! (NOTE: use this lesson sparingly and only in emergency situations such as stage fright.)

So “KUDOS” to Blue Nun wine from this nun. May God bless the fruit of your hands and of the earth!

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    { 12 comments }

    Barbara March 23, 2011 at 11:09 am

    I used to love Blue Nun wine! Drank my share of it while “up north” and am proud to say I’ve done “my part” for the brand! :-)

    Sister Julie March 23, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Barbara, that’s a whole other realm of life lessons … those learned from drinking Blue Nun wine!

    marla March 23, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    those would be the really profound lessons.

    Sister Shirley March 23, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    Wine Intelligence’s Vinitrac model:
    http://www.wineintelligence.com/category/our-services/

    Sister Julie March 23, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    Ah-HA! Thanks for the link, Sister Shirley!

    Another Sister Julie, CSSF March 23, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    We invited the priests over to celebrate Thanksgiving one year. The pastor couldn’t make it, but would it be okay if the associate brought a guest? We said it was fine. Imagine our surprise when Father’s “guest” happened to be a bottle of Blue Nun–wearing a light blue habit, a white cord, and a tiny white coronet like the Daughter’s of Charity used to wear! (Go to the 4th image down on this link. Our doll is in the 7th picture.)
    http://oripter.com/cath%20nun%20dolls%201.htmlhttp://oripter.com/cath%20nun%20dolls%201.html

    Another Sister Julie, CSSF March 23, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    I certainly messed up thatlink! it’s here: http://oripter.com/cath%20nun%20dolls%201.html

    Sister Maxine March 23, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Hmm Sister Julie, what a coincidence that you write about Blue Nun wine — for years the IHMs were known as Blue Nuns :)

    cate March 23, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    We SSCM’s were known as the Blue Cords! llolol

    Now, I have my kichen decorated in BLUE NUN … no kidding … from Blue Nun pictures to salt and pepper shakers! It is simply charming and fun!

    Can’t wait to try the updated version.

    Sister Julie March 24, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Awesome, Cate! I’m looking forward to trying it out too. I’ll be on the lookout for the Pino Grigio.

    Marsha West March 24, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Cate! Would give a lot to see a picture of your Blue Nun Kitchen!

    Cate March 30, 2011 at 10:31 am

    I would be happy to send you a picture Marsha ~ lets connect in the chat room after prayer one evening and exchange email addys. In the meantime, I’m off to buy out the Blue Nun still available on the store shelves! lolol Cate

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