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Bridget Jones Sinking Sales of Chardonnay?

UK wine critic blames fictional neurotic for giving it a bad name

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted May 30, 2008 11:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – The thirtysomething neurotic character Bridget Jones is getting the blame for plummeting sales of chardonnay in the UK, the Independent reports. The fictional publishing assistant miserably pours herself a tall glass after each one of her attempts at landing a husband fails—not exactly a great marketing tool. "Chardonnay has made some of the world's greatest wines," says a top wine critic. "Everyone appreciated it—until Bridget Jones."

Meanwhile, rival wines such as sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio are rising in demand. Bridget "sits there with mascara running down her cheeks saying, 'Dear diary, I've failed again, I've poured an enormous glass of chardonnay and I'm going to put my head in the oven,'" laments wine critic Oz Clarke. "Great marketing aid!"

[Images (2)]

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Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger poses in front of a poster of ' Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason ' during a press conference in Taipei, 03 December 2004. (Getty Images)

Actress Renee Zellweger in a scene from the movie 'Bridget Jone's Diary' may have a heavy hand in turning Brits off Chardonnay. (Getty Images)

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Bridget Jones' Diary Intro:Opening scene of Bridget Jones' Diary (MiaDoll87)

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Bridget Jones Sinking Sales of Chardonnay?