NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Graffigna™ and
Riedel Crystal announce their joint
development of a wine glass created specifically for Argentina's iconic grape variety, Malbec. The
result will be the first-ever "wine friendly" glass for the popular
South American varietal.
Graffigna, the pioneering winemaker from San Juan in Argentina, is known for its varietally
expressive Malbec wines. With a rich history spanning over
250 years, Riedel was the first crystal house to develop grape
variety specific glasses that have revolutionized how the world
enjoys wine since the 1950s. This partnership will offer wine
drinkers a new sensory experience to heighten their appreciation of
Malbec.
Graffigna is renowned for its premium Argentine Malbec wines,
with Graffigna Centenario and Graffigna Grand Reserve regularly
receiving top accolades.
"We believe Argentina's
flagship grape deserves its own varietal specific glass which will,
in turn, help Malbec connoisseurs to fully appreciate this fine
grape," says Daniel Cushnan, Marketing and Export Director of
Graffigna's parent company, Pernod Ricard.
"Joining forces with Riedel, the world's leading glassware
house, provides us with a unique opportunity to create the Malbec
glass. Over the coming year, as we evaluate glass shapes in a
series of workshops to discover which provides the ultimate
expression of Malbec, we look forward to sharing the experience
with wine lovers."
"This has been a wonderful experience for the Riedel family,
thanks to the supportive Graffigna team," says Maximilian Riedel. "Over the course of the next
few months, it will enable us to conceive a glass for a grape
varietal which we truly enjoy, and we look forward to welcoming
this glass to our collection."
The search for the ultimate Malbec glass will take a key step in
New York on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, when Graffigna and
Riedel will host a tasting workshop at the Argentine Consulate.
They will be joined by a host of influential wine journalists and
recognized Malbec experts who will weigh in on the process of
choosing the perfect vessel.
Once defined, the glass will be officially launched in
April 2013 as part of Malbec World
Day celebrations.
Follow Graffigna and Riedel on Facebook to see this exciting
story unfold.
About Graffigna
Founded in 1870 by Italian immigrant, Don Santiago Graffigna is an icon of the
Argentine winemaking tradition defined by the pioneering,
passionate spirit of its founder. Graffigna's vineyards in the
Tulum and Pedernal Valleys are in
a climate as dry as the Sahara desert with more than 300 days of
annual sunshine and great thermal amplitude between day and night.
These conditions create wines that are full-bodied, elegant and
aromatic. The fruit is crafted into three ranges: Graffigna
Centenario, Graffigna Grand Reserve and Santiago Graffigna. In 2009 Graffigna was named
"Winery of the Year" by the Critics Challenge in the United States. Enjoy Graffigna with style
and responsibility.
About Riedel
Riedel, the 250 year-old global leader in varietal-specific
crystal glassware, is the first in history to recognize how the
taste of wine is affected by the shape of the glass from which it
is consumed. Riedel has been lauded as the unrivaled "wine
friendly" glassware brand to complement specific wines and spirits.
Famous for the ground-breaking introduction of the world's first
"wine friendly" glass, the Burgundy Grand Cru in 1958, and the
mouth-blown Sommeliers Series unveiled in 1973, Riedel has become
the brand of choice for wine connoisseurs, hospitality
professionals, and educated consumers worldwide. Recognized for
transforming the wine culture over the past 50 years, Riedel's
design-focused decanters, various stemware lines, and stemless "O"
collections have been selected for display at the Museum of Modern
Art, Corning Museum of Glass, San Francisco MoMA and more. Riedel
is distributed widely throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia, and can be found at the most exclusive
fine dining establishments throughout the world. For more
information, please visit www.riedel.com.
About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA is the
premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest
subsidiary of Paris, France-based
Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide
and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).
The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious
brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The
Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey,
Malibu® flavored rum, Kahlua® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™
Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker®
Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avion™ Tequila (through a joint
venture with Tequila Avion); such
superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such
exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouet®
Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
Pernod Ricard USA is based in
Purchase, New York, and has
roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard
USA urges all adults to consume
its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote
responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit:
www.acceptresponsibility.org.
SOURCE Graffigna