Bum Wine - Brands

Brands

• MD 20/20 is an American fortified wine. MD 20/20 has an alcohol content that varies by flavor from 13% to 18%; most of the 18% varieties have been discontinued, although Red Grape is still available in 18% ABV. The MD actually stands for its producer, Mogen David, however, it is widely known as "Mad Dog." Originally, 20/20 stood for 20 oz @ 20% alcohol by volume (ABV). Currently, MD 20/20 is neither sold in 20 oz bottles nor at 20% ABV.
• Cisco is the brand name of a fortified wine produced by the Centerra Wine Company (a division of Constellation Brands) with varieties selling at 13.9%, 17.5% and 19.5% ABV. Cisco has a syrupy consistency and sweet taste; because of its color and bottle shape, it was said to be frequently mistaken for a wine cooler. The Federal Trade Commission required the company to put a label on the bottle stating that Cisco was not a wine cooler, and to change its marketing strategy from "Takes You By Surprise".
• Three popular brands in this category have been produced by the E & J Gallo Winery, and were a large part of that company's early success.
  • Ripple was a fortified wine produced by E & J Gallo Winery that was popular in the United States, particularly in the 1970s. Possessing a relatively low 11% ABV, it was originally marketed to "casual" drinkers. Due to its low price, it had a reputation as a drink for alcoholics and the destitute. It was popular among young drinkers, both underage and college students. The TV series Sanford & Son often referred to Ripple, as it was Fred Sanford's alcoholic beverage of choice.
  • Night Train Express (usually abbreviated to Night Train) typically contains 17.5% ABV. Night Train Express has been condemned by some civic leaders who think inexpensive high alcohol content drinks contribute to vagrancy and public drunkenness. Night Train no longer carries the Gallo logo or other indication of this source. It is also the origin of the Guns N' Roses song "Nightrain". Night Train also made an appearance in the Blues Brothers movie where it caused Jake's head to hurt.
  • Thunderbird (The American Classic), between 13% and 18% ABV. Popular since the 1950s, when a popular rhythm and blues song went: "What's the word? Thunderbird / How's it sold? Good and cold / What's the jive? Bird's alive / What's the price? Thirty twice." Once marketed in the United Kingdom as "The California Aperitif". There is now a sister version, Thunderbird ESQ. It has also been the subject of many songs, three of which by ZZ Top, Seasick Steve and They Might Be Giants are aptly named 'Thunderbird'. Influential Detroit garage rock band The Gories had a song entitled "Thunderbird ESQ". Rock band Clutch mentions the beverage in their song "Worm Drink". Townes Van Zandt sings a talking blues song reflecting on his experiences with Thunderbird entitled "Talking Thunderbird Blues". The song "Three Rings" by Insane Clown Posse also mentions the drink. An SCTV skit from the late 70's had Johnny LaRue (John Candy) being served Thunderbird in a French restaurant when he couldn't afford the more expensive French wines listed in the menu.
• Richards Wild Irish Rose is an alcoholic beverage produced by Centerra Wine Company, which is part of the Constellation Brands organization. It was introduced in 1954 and currently sells about two million cases annually. The brand is available in 13.9% and 18% alcohol by volume.
• Buckfast Tonic Wine is a caffeine- and sugar-laced tonic wine with added alcohol, produced under license from an English monastery. Very popular in Glasgow and Coatbridge, critics have blamed it as the cause of social problems in Scotland and Ireland.
• Stones Green Ginger Wine is a ginger-based wine, produced in the UK. It has an alcohol level of 13.7%.
• Scotsmac is a blend of wine and whisky sold in the UK. It typically retails for about £4.00 (per 700ml bottle), significantly cheaper than its rival, Buckfast.
• Solntsedar was a Soviet brand of low-end fortified wine, marketed as "port wine", infamous for many severe cases of poisoning. Its production was canceled after Mikhail Gorbachev's anti-alcohol laws.
• 777 is a Russian "port wine" similar to Solntsedar, but still in production. It is nicknamed "Three axes" after the shape of the digits, and has attained a near-legendary status among often-poor Soviet and Russian students and members of youth subcultures.