The colour. Picture: Pantone Source: Supplied

In a company press release, Pantone described the colour as “a naturally robust and earthy wine red.” While last year’s Colour of the Year, Radiant Orchid, “encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.

“Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors,” Pantone proclaimed.

Pantone released this promotional image. Picture: Pantone Source: Supplied

While the design blogosphere largely reported the company’s annual marketing gimmick as if on cue, not everyone was as enthusiastic about the colour. After all, colour is a subjective, emotional experience, and there is no accounting for taste. (An even more pointed French expression of that idea suggests that there is no accounting for taste or colours: Les goûts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas.)

New York magazine’s The Cut called Marsala “icky.”

In a post titled “The Problem With Pantone’s Colour of the Year,” The Atlantic pointed out that Marsala reminded some people of “rust, the grimy, gag-inducing type that lines corners or frat boy dormitory-style bathrooms. Or blood, the freaky dried kind whose iron content has been exposed to the air long enough to evoke a dull brick.”

Instead of the gourmet associations of Marsala wine and pomegranate fruit, as featured in the colour campaign’s marketing images, the magazine suggested that it conjured visions of elementary-school mystery meat, liver, and meatloaf.

A promotional image from Pantone. Picture: Pantone Source: Supplied

Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:

Eiseman of the Pantone Colour Institute was unavailable for comment on the selection process, but press materials explained that it “requires careful consideration,” adding that Pantone “combs the world looking for colour influences,” including the fashion and entertainment industries, art, popular travel destinations, technology, sports, and more.

American actress Blake Lively getting in on the trend. Source: AP

This article was written by Kristin Hohenadel from Slate and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.