Nothing says “baseball” like hot dogs, cracker jacks and a glass of wine

From Cleveland.com:

“CLEVELAND, Ohio – A line of California wines – from Cabernet Sauvignon to assorted blends – is being released for Major League Baseball teams. The Cleveland Indians have a red blend in their name.

Wine by Design, a Napa, California company, has a licensing deal with the league, and has wines for most of the 30 teams. Most are red wines. The Indians’ wine is a 2013 blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.

The company’s founder and CEO, Diane Karle, came up with the idea to mesh sports and wine.

“People want to think sports fans are beer drinkers and not wine drinkers, but that’s not the case,” said Karle, whose first client was the New York Jets in 2010.”

You know when you have an idea but immediately after having that idea you think to yourself “this is a really fucking dumb idea”? Turns out sometimes those ideas can get you a licensing deal with Major League Baseball!

Right off the bat it says that Diane’s first client was the New York Jets. Now I’m obviously not a Jets fan nor do I have any friends who are, but I would have to think that, based on their recent (lack of) success, they would be pretttttttty high on the list of teams that back up the “sports fans are beer drinkers” stereotype.

In terms of matches made in heaven, this most certainly is not one. Beer is baseball. Baseball is beer. You don’t trade off grabbing rounds of Pinot Grigio in between innings. There’s not a “Cabernet Sauvignon guy!” walking around and serving you in the bleachers. Even when you’re not at the game, you don’t sit on your deck and listen to the sweet sweet song of Tom Hamilton while enjoying a couple chilled White Zinfandels with your buddy. That’s just not how baseball works.

Here’s the description of the Indians wine from their website:

“In 1901, when the Indians™ franchise began in Cleveland, it set the tone for a team that embodies the hardworking, down-to-earth spirit of the city. Over a century later, with two World Series™ titles and five AL™ pennants, the Indians are proud to release this California Red Blend with bold aromas of dark berry fruit, blueberry pie, cardamom and baking spice. The finish is long with notes of chocolate, roasted coffee bean and vanilla spice.”

First of all, cardamom definitely is not a thing. Secondly, the Indians aren’t releasing shit, right? They stress pretty hard in that article that it has nothing to do with the team and won’t be served at The Prog, it’s just a deal with the MLB. Lastly, the finish FTW. Fucking love all three of those things.

I can’t imagine this being a very successful business venture for Diane and Wine by Design, but what do I know. If it does (it will) eventually flop, they have an open invitation to come to Cleveland, take in America’s pastime and enjoy some tall Bud Lights with me.