Frogwater Media is heading into production of 250 episodes of a new online wine show, Grape Notes, that is hosted by Susan Sterling (Naked Wine Show) and will appear on a FoodNetwork.ca microsite.

There are opportunities for brand integration on the show and ad opps on the site, Tim Troke, CEO, Frogwater Media, tells MiC.

‘We’re interested in opportunities where Susan can make that connection with the wine,’ says Troke. ‘She’s a really good character, she’s a really good sport, so there are a lot of ways companies can incorporate their brands into the show.’

The wine glasses, Sterling’s apron and the white space in the background are all open for logos. The wine, however, remains sacred, so wine companies will not be able to advertise on the show.

‘The wine is part of the show, it’s a character on the show, and we couldn’t in all good conscience do that,’ Troke says.

The first 10 episodes will be available on Nov. 8, and then one will be posted each weekday for a year. Each episode is under two minutes long, and regular features will include how-tos, top-five lists, wine education and reviews.

The show is being made for anyone 18 to 85 years old who wants to know more about wine, Troke says.

‘Our target is people who are interested in wine but who are new to wine, who walk into the LCBO or the Manitoba Liquor Board and they say, ‘Where do I start?”

To promote the show, Sterling will be touring the country’s wineries in the winter and spring, hosting interactive tasting events with fans.

‘We’re trying to keep it really fun and light,’ says Troke. ‘We’re not trying to take it too seriously, which I think is a problem in the wine world, it takes itself just a little too seriously, and we always try to find a way of making the tasting of wine fun.’