Rude wine label causing trouble in US

A wine from Hundred Acre owner Jayson Woodbridge is causing problems in the US state of New Hampshire due to its controversial name.

If You See Kay

The wine, If You See Kay 2010, a Cabernet-based red blend from the Italian region of Lazio, when said aloud sounds like the spelling of a four-letter expletive.

At least two executive councilors have questioned the State Liquor Commission’s judgment in allowing the wine to be sold at state stores in New Hampshire.

“This isn’t the welcome mat New Hampshire should display for tourists,” councillor David Wheeler told local newspaper The Union Leader.

“We need to set a higher standard for sales and marketing – the label violates community standards,” he added.

Bolstered by the controversy, the wine, priced at $19.99, is selling very well.

“We sold 10 cases last week,” Joseph Mollica, chairman of the State Liquor Commission told The Union Leader.

“We don’t want to offend anyone, but we also don’t want to miss an opportunity,” he added.

Jayson Woodbridge

Officials have agreed to move the wine to the back of the stores to appease opponents’ complaints that children may be exposed to the labels.

If You See Kay’s owner Jayson Woodbridge is best known for producing cult California wine Hundred Acre, which sells on release for around $250 a bottle.

Wine critic Robert Parker has described his wines as “among the most individualistic in California.”

He also owns the mid-level Layer Cake and Cherry Pie wine brands.

“Jayson doesn’t care what anybody thinks. He searches out the best vineyards and makes uncompromised wine,” says a quote on boutique wines website VantagePoint.com, which sells If You See Kay, Layer Cake and Cherry Pie.

A wine called Ménage à Trois is among the 10 best selling wines in New Hampshire.