Disney drops rat wine promotion

Los Angeles -- Walt Disney Co. has shelved its plan to offer U.S. wine and rodent lovers a "Ratatouille Chardonnay" in honor of the star of its latest movie.

Costco was to carry bottles of French 2004 white Burgundy with labels featuring Remy, the haute-cuisine-loving rat in "Ratatouille," The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

The promotion was canceled amid criticism from California winemakers and opponents of underage drinking, Disney spokesman Gary Foster told the newspaper.

"It was going to be a small offering" -- 500 cases -- "and we thought it would be best not to proceed with it," he said.

In a decision called unrelated, Disney announced last week its films, including long-released classics, no longer would show characters smoking.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.