If you're like me and can't get enough of shows like I Am a Killer, Mindhunter, and Making a Murderer, then you know that watching true crime documentaries is a lifestyle we obsess over way past Halloween. Thankfully, 19 Crimes, an American wine company, has a line of reds and whites that's perfect for your scary movie marathon. And as the name suggests, there really are criminals on the bottles.
While sipping a glass of Chardonnay, wine-lovers can get a short backstory on just exactly how a criminal from the 1700s was sentenced to live out the rest of his or her days in Australia. And to be clear, Australia wasn't a haven for surfers, tourists, and wild animal wranglers back in the day. It was a prison colony, a place you got sent if you were particularly ill-behaved.
In fact, the brand provides plenty of history on its site, confirming that this delicious wine is right up my crime-loving alley.
"Nineteen crimes turned criminals into colonists. Upon conviction, British rogues guilty of at least one of the 19 crimes were sentenced to live in Australia, rather than death," the site explains. "This punishment by 'transportation' began in 1783 and many of the lawless died at sea. For the rough-hewn prisoners who made it to shore, a new world awaited. As pioneers in a frontier penal colony, they forged a new country and new lives, brick by brick. This wine celebrates the rules they broke and the culture they built."
Very interesting, indeed. So what are the 19 crimes, you might be wondering? Convicts were shipped off to Australia for many things, from "assaulting, cutting, or burning clothes" to "counterfeiting the copper coin" and committing full-on robbery. Scroll through to get a peek at all the 19 Crimes bottles, and try not to buy every single one.
The Warden 
We're always game for a good red blend. And The Warden ($25) hits every note.
The Hard Chard 
Men weren't alone in their trek to Australia. This Hard Chard ($13) is an ode to the women who were "punished by transportation."
The Banished 
Apparently, wine was actually served upon convict ships. (I know, we couldn't believe it either!). And The Banished ($13), a blend of deep reds, is probably what the prisoners would be sipping on.
Shiraz 
A bold and sweet Shiraz ($13) is polished off with notes of vanilla and raspberry. Yup, sinfully good.
Red Blend 
The Red Blend ($13) is "always uncompromising," a trait we think would be akin to anyone who's been banished to another country.
The Uprising 
The Uprising ($13) was aged in rum barrels for 30 days to achieve a warm brown-sugar finish. Naturally, it pays tribute to Australia's Rum Rebellion of 1808. How fitting!
19 Crimes 6- or 12-Pack 
Of course, hardened criminals can snag themselves a 19 Crimes 6-Pack ($85) or a 19 Crimes 12-Pack ($150) for their next party. Pour yourself a glass and devour your next true crime podcast.
