Critics have expressed their disapproval after a Long Island winery launched two commemorative 9//11 wines.
The beverages, which retail at $19.11, mark the ten year anniversary of the twin tower attacks. Lieb Family Cellars has produced both a chardonnay and a merlot wine. The winery lists the beverages under the ‘Great Wines for Good Causes’ section of their website.
Describing the wines, one Twitter user wrote: “9/11 wine. The dominant flavors are reminiscent of fresh green apples with underlying hints of VULTURES."
Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain also used Twitter to criticise the products. He tweeted that the wines are “grotesque”, “exploitative” and “vomit inducing”. He successfully stopped sales of the beverages at French brasserie Les Halles in New York, where he was Executive Chef for many years.
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New York City Councilman Peter Vallone questioned: “What next? A 9/11 pastrami sandwich?”
While Lieb Family Cellars have stated that six to ten percent of proceeds will go to the National September 11 Memorial Museum, the winery is perceived by some to be capitalising on a tragedy.
The wines are being issued with the 9/11 Memorial Foundation’s approval.
