9/11 wine getting rocky reception

CUTCHOGUE, Long Island, NY -- The folks at Lieb Family Vineyards obviously thought they were on to something when they had the brainstorm to produce a 9/11 commemorative wine.

I haven't seen anyone commenting online who thinks it is anything better than a "brain fart," however, be they celebrities, winemakers or the drinking public.

As we bear down on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist aerial attacks on New York and Washington, DC, and thwarted flight that crash-landed in Pennsylvania, the Long Island winery has unveiled its “9/11 Memorial" commemorative Merlot and Chardonnay.

Gary Madden, Lieb general manager, says the winery lost many friends in the attacks and this is a way of honoring them. The winery plans to donate up to 10% of the $19.11 retail price to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. (It should be noted that in 2004, Lieb introduced a cheaper bottle, the $9.11 September's Mission merlot, and donated 9.11 cents for every bottle sold to the September's Mission foundation. Lieb estimates it has raised $25,000 off that wine so far.)

New York City Councilman Peter Vallone asked, "What's next? A 9/11 pastrami sandwich?"

Always-outspoken chef/writer/TV host Anthony Bourdain erupted with the tweet, "911 Wine?!!? Are you out of your fucking MIND?!! EPIC FAIL."

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