One of the great joys of loving a movie or show is indulging in the merchandise that comes with it. But as we all know, brands can and will do too much. On June 10 People announced that Lot18 would release a line of The Handmaid’s Tale-inspired wines — that is, a line inspired by a show about a totalitarian government built on the oppression, ceremonial rape, and abuse of women.
Creepy Handmaid’s Tale wine announced, canceled within 24 hours
Turning oppression into ad copy turns out to be a bad idea.
Unlike the fortunes of the Republic of Gilead, the wine’s rise and fall was swift; by that evening, it was canceled.
While there might be something to be said for a wine meant to be consumed as consolation while watching one of the most notoriously emotionally stressful shows currently airing, Lot18’s marketing went in a slightly different direction. The wines were each named after a character on the show, and their descriptions, while apt for wine, seemed just a teeny tiny bit inappropriate as tie-ins for the show.
Offred, a Pinot Noir named after Elisabeth Moss’s character, was described as “seductive and appealing,” with the label noting it was “useless to resist” and “you may as well give in.” This takes on a whole new meaning when applied to a show that features state-sanctioned rape. Ofglen, named for Alexis Bledel’s character, who is similarly abused and then sent to a labor camp, was advertised with the phrase: “Pleasure and enjoyment may be forbidden in Gilead, but it can certainly be found in this memorable wine.” (The Ofglen wine was also described as being good for “enjoying with friends.”)
Just as strange was the description for Serena Joy, a white wine named after Yvonne Strahovski’s character. “Don’t judge this wine too quickly,” Lot18’s website warned about a wine named for a character who, while oppressed by the system, has also used and supported it to oppress women around her. It’s “approachable,” Lot18 said, adding that being wary of it might make you “miss out on a sublime experience.”
Social media backlash immediately followed the wine’s announcement, and this seems to have been the driving force behind the wine’s cancellation.
The wines have since been removed for purchase from Lot18’s website, and it has been confirmed that the line has been pulled.
