In our many years of writing about wine, we have seen almost every imaginable style and type of labels. The Ed Hardy wines by Christian Audigier have introduced the latest twist in the label game: representations of tattoos. A little explanation is called for here. Don Ed Hardy is considered the Rembrandt of tattoo artists. His work appears on some of the most famous people in the world and has been reproduced in many books and magazines. Now, his work appears on wine bottles. Wine merchant Audigier had adapted some of Hardy’s work to decorate a new series of wine.

Fortunately for all of us, it is the wine in the bottle that matters most and not the glitz of the label, but you have to admit that a classy label most definitely helps.

Ed Hardy 2008 Pinot Grigio ($13.49). Audigier searches the world for wines that he believes are of extraordinary quality, but can still be sold at an affordable price. From the Venito district of Italy he discovered the quintessential example of a pinot grigio. This almost colorless wine is very smooth and silky with a big and expansive aroma of summer flowers. The flavors too are equally expansive, stressing citrus and pineapple with hints of peach and spice. The finish of this wine is very long and fruity and stays in the mouth long after it has been swallowed. Try this exceptional wine with chicken dishes as well as with the traditional seafood and pastas. With wines made from the pinot grigio grape becoming more and more popular in the United States, this wine should be an immediate success.

Ed Hardy 2008 Chardonnay ($13.49). From Italy Audigier then searched in France to find a wine that the French were famous for, and there can be no doubt that chardonnay is one of them. Rather than coming from the heart of Burgundy, this wine comes from the new vineyards in the south eastern part of France called the Languedoc. There he found a wine that fits his very critical requirements. The Ed Hardy 2008 Chardonnay seems to explode with the flavors and aromas of green apples and pears with a suggestion of citrus in the background. There is also a very pleasant under flavor of oak, which when combined with a near perfect acid level results in a wine of classical dimensions. The finish of this wine exhibits the much sought after buttery feel in the mouth, the sign of a better chardonnay.

Ed Hardy 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.49). While in the Languedoc, he also found a cabernet sauvignon that fit his requirements, which is that it has to be big, full flavored and an absolute delight. There is nothing stuffy or overly pretentious about this wine. The first sign that this wine is not the average is that it is so dark it is almost black. The aroma is a fine balance of cherries, cassis and just the right amount of oak. These aromas carry through to the flavor along with a fine balance between the acid and the tannin. This wine will be in its prime for the next eight to 10 years. Ed Hardy 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect wine to serve with the rich, full flavored red meats or alone as an aperitif.

Ed Hardy Sangria ($8.99). Sangria is a wine that has been infused with fresh fruits and/or fruit flavors. It is a wine that is served cold and is guaranteed to bring smiles to the faces of one and all. The Ed Hardy Sangria is a red wine that has been infused with citrus fruit flavors and spices. All that is missing is some fresh fruit to add to the flavor experience and some good friends to enjoy it with. It is enough to say that sangria is the ultimate party wine but it also fits nicely with friendly get-togethers. This is a wine that must be considered the greatest conversation lubricant that ever was.