Why all the fuss? The ad in question (pictured above) includes the image of a long-haired woman flying alongside a bicycle -- wearing nothing but a smile ... well, she's not smiling but you get the idea.
The cartoon lady could be considered artistically tasteful but the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board doesn't think so. The board decided to pull the the wine from liquor store shelves statewide, deeming the label as inappropriate. Letters were sent to stores all over the state, announcing the ban on sale of the product.
The Hahn Website states, "Americans then might have been shocked by the thought of a woman wearing pantaloons or bloomers pedaling a bicycle, but the French understood what sold products -- thus the 'uninhibited' appearance of the Cycles Gladiator advertising poster." Fans of the wine can even purchase T-shirts and cycling gear adorned with the ad.
It's hard to believe that a bicycling ad made over 100 years ago would cause such an uproar. Given the fact that alcohol is sold in stores meant only adults, this decision is even more disturbing.
But a title that the Alabama Beverage Control Board is citing states: "No advertisement may include any illustration(s) of any person(s) consuming alcoholic beverages or any person(s) posed in an immodest or sensuous manner, nor shall any advertising contain profanity or offensive language."
No word yet if any restaurants or bars have been fined for trying to sell this "colorful" wine bottle.
Comments
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Posted on Jul 28th 2009
By Joe Adamski
Does'nt somebody have something better to do? The label is neither licentious,or provocative. The statute is vague and subjective. I find the color yellow to be a sensual color. Should the thought police outlaw the color yellow?
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Posted on Jul 28th 2009
By Lee
Well done Alabama! The minds of your children are safe once more from the corrupting powers of the human body.
How old do you have to be to take a shower in that state?
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Posted on Jul 30th 2009
By Woden
Nice ass
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Posted on Jul 30th 2009
By Evelyn Pool
As the VP of Marketing for Hahn Family Wines and therefore Cycles Gladiator, I can assure you that no restaurant will be fined as we have picked up all the wine in the state. We can assure the Alabama ABC that they will not have to worry about anyone there being "offended". Alabamians will have to travel outside the state to enjoy the Banned in Alabama wine!
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Posted on Jul 31st 2009
By Jake Steed
Damn holier than Christ conservative state! That's why it's still ass backwards!
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Posted on Jul 31st 2009
By Adrian
Yet another reason why the north should've just let Alabama and all the other cracker states leave 150 years ago - the USA would be so much better off without them!
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Posted on Jul 31st 2009
By Glad to be in Colorado
Why don't they just ban books while they're at it?
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Posted on Jul 31st 2009
By bamagirl
Well, this is just embarassing. As a proud native Alabamian, I am once again amazed at the actions of a few in power. And while I'm at it, thank you Jeff Sessions as well for embarassing the wonderful people of Alabama. It really is a wonderful, beautiful place to live. The people I know and love are not at all like the ones that end up in the news!
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Posted on Jul 31st 2009
By Anna
Do the folks on the Alabama alcohol board know that it is now 2009? Geez, even in 1895 this was not too risque to use in advertising. I've read the Hahn website is going crazy and they are selling even more of this wine as a result. Bamagirl, I feel for you. How embarrassing and ridiculous. Food for thought people: If God were offended by simple nudity, wouldn't we all be born with clothes on? There are lots of wines out there with names they might find offensive under their "profanity" clause. Big Ass Cab and Fat Bastard come to mind.
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Posted on Aug 2nd 2009
By by a Georgia Neighbor
This type of thinking is what will be the demise of this great country. Other more progressive countries will leave us in their dust as they head toward the future leaving antiquated "dark ages" thinking behind. This is very tasteful art...lighthearted and fun and reflects an era that was full of discovery, adventure and excitement. It is more offensive to view a crucifix above the heads of church goers than to view this label.
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Posted on Aug 3rd 2009
By PgnMtnMyst
@Adrian: Gee, thanks. Maybe all of us who live in the South should just drop off the face of the earth, too. So much for all the great Southern literature and other things the South has contributed to the world.
How about condemning the state of Alabama for being a bunch of incredibly stupid twats, instead of condemning all of the South?
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Posted on Aug 3rd 2009
By yankeestuckin'bamy
This hardly surprises me at all. This is the place that I had at least ten or twelve people I know tell me that "Barrack Hussein Obama is the Anti-Christ."...and they meant it.
My family and I have a mere matter of months and then we will be free of this depressing repressive overtly religious yet hatefilled place FOREVER.
Yes I have said for years WE SHOULD HAVE LET THEM GO.
The South is no place for decent Americans.
They still celebrate CONFEDERATE HOLIDAYS here...state offices shut down and everything.
It is reallyl REALLY crazy and unless you live here for awhile and mingle amoung them, you don't see just how crazy it is.
My fellow Northerners who must live here for now KNOW I AM TELLING THE TRUTH.
AND THEY CAN KEEP THEIR DAMN FIREANTS, TOO.
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Posted on Aug 4th 2009
By Mandy
I understand the condemnation of a state in which a drink is banned due to nude/art advertising. I am in complete agreement that it is, in fact, absolutely ridiculous when our children see much worse than that every day when they watch t.v. And that's just the commercials! I don't, however, understand the ignorant bashing of the entire southern part of the U.S. as if every hateful stereotype about us applies in reality to all of us. I've lived here my entire life, in a beautiful area where there is still unmarred nature, but I don't even know what a "confederate holiday" is, much less celebrate one. Would the U.S. really be so much better off without the CDC, St, Judes Children's Research Hospital, NASA??? We aren't all ignorant, and I for one don't appreciate being lumped into a category of people who exist EVERYWHERE in this country. Condemn the actions of the perpetrators, not the entire people.
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Posted on Aug 5th 2009
By seamus
!!!ereh nwod adrawkcab ton er'ew YEH
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Posted on Aug 10th 2009
By Sweet William
The AAB is following the law as it is written, if the cite is correct. And at least they have an "advertising review board" with some teeth - locally the law is flouted again and again.
While this particular item is "quaint" I can see where the framers of the law were trying to go - again, locally, the situtation was that a naked bar-for-the-suggestively-positioned-bottle ads could be considered "autoironic" due to the quantity of this-thing=>more-sex adverts.
As Mandy pointed out, there's other media issues to be dealt with in the USoA.
(Not from Alabama, never been there, wrong continent)
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Posted on Aug 24th 2009
By keith
hello carpetbager you need to go back were you came from you should have never came to the great south go home
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Posted on Sep 24th 2009
By IrishPikey5546
I am a resident of Alabama to begin with.
I would like to say that a ban is a bit crazy. Behind the counter sale would be a better idea if there that worried. There are some crazy views down here and most of them come from the people in office not the residents. I don't bash the conservative party because of Anne Coulter do I. No.
I would like to also say that as a US citizen who has traveled around the state A LOT (Marine father). I enjoy a lot of the people here and I live in a middle of nowhere town (I have also lived in the city here too). Southern hospitality is alive and well.
For my last I would like to say. Having been there go to parts (note I am not saying all) of the midwest and live there boy you think Alabama is bad try hearing some of there views. As a avid punk fan living there it was a nightmare. I was going to hell for the way I dressed. Like what was said if your going to bash bash those with the view not the entire populous of that area.
BTW if u got something to say find me its not hard just google me.
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Posted on Sep 28th 2009
By Donna
I too am from Alabama and I'm very proud to be from the beautiful charming south. Once again the ultra-conservative few have embrassed me and alot of other Alabamians. Not all of us subscribe to this backward school of thought. I don't know what these politicians think they are protecting me from.
I find the label way cool, where can I find a t-shirt ? I plan to wear it in Alabama.
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Posted on Oct 26th 2009
By Helene
Just received first bottle of Cycle Gladiator wine as hostess gift and squealed with delight when seeing the label. When thanking the gift giver, I was told of the decision to ban the wine in neighboring southern state. Too funny; very sad.
I haven't even opened the bottle, but Cycle Gladiator wines will be my gift of choice for years to come simply because the label is such a treat. And the censorship story is great conversation - and joke - material. How can you tell when a decision maker in Alabama...
Where can the T-shirts be found? I'd like to share with friends who ride cycles and drink wine. Plus, I'd have it covering my naked torso if ever deciding to cross the line.
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