EUROPE: Hitler wine sales soar for Christmas

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 10 December 2003

Adolf Hitler wine has seen sales go "through the roof" according to its producer. Sales in the run-up to Christmas have soared thanks to publicity generated from attempts in Brussels and Berlin to ban it.

In an interview with Ananova.com, wine-grower Alessandro Lunardelli said: "Getting sued was the best thing that could have happened." Lunardelli started selling the Hitler wine in 1995. The wines are part of his portfolio featuring 14 different labels portraying Hitler and other Nazis, as well as other infamous historical characters, such as Italy's former fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, and former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

In September this year, German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries wrote to her Italian counterpart to say the labels are "contemptible and tasteless" and asked him to see what could be done against them.

The Hitler wine bears the slogan "One People, One Empire, One Leader." Lunardelli rejects allegations that he is promoting fascism and Nazism.

Sectors: Wine