Brancott® Vineyards and Blue Ocean Institute Partner to Create iPhone Application for Sustainable Seafood Pairings

PURCHASE, N.Y., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Brancott Vineyards, creators of the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, announces its partnership with Blue Ocean Institute, a non-profit organization that provides solutions that enlighten personal choices, instill hope and inspire people to take action in a growing effort to restore living abundance in the ocean. The partnership's first project is the creation of Blue Ocean Institute's iPhone application—FishPhone.  The application provides users with a comprehensive list of sustainable seafood choices and wine pairings. With a myriad of choices and an ever-changing list of sustainable seafood, this application helps to filter the overwhelming amount of information currently available and provides a solution to consumers looking to make informed dining choices.  

"Working with Brancott has been a tremendous opportunity for Blue Ocean Institute," said founder, Dr. Carl Safina. "Considering what has happened in the Gulf of Mexico as well as other changing threats to both species and habitats, it's difficult for individuals to keep abreast of what fish are healthy and safe.  This technology puts our regularly updated information on over 90 species at everyone's fingertips," said Safina.   "The guide also provides better alternatives to fish that raise significant environmental concerns, and provides users with ways to incorporate responsible choices in their everyday life."  

The new iPhone application is a great addition to Blue Ocean's FishPhone text messaging service, which provides fish rating information and also sends users alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns. In addition to the application now available on iTunes, users without an iPhone can text the message FISH along with the name of the species in question, to the number 30644. Blue Ocean Institute replies instantly with an assessment. Users of the texting service can opt-in to receive ocean-friendly updates by texting BLUE to 30644.  The text service was developed with the support of the Waitt Foundation.  

The new application on iTunes is free and includes a seafood guide with detailed environmental information on your selection, wine pairings for ocean-friendly choices and alternative fish suggestions based on flavor profiles for fish with conservation concerns. A health page and glossary provides diners the ability to gain greater information on their favorite fish. The application also provides recipes from top chefs such as Barton Seaver, a Washington D.C. area chef who has been a pioneer in the sustainable seafood movement and Esquire magazine's 2009 'Chef of the Year.'

The seafood ranking is determined by Blue Ocean's evaluation of species' life history, abundance in the wild, habitat concerns and catch method or farming system. In cases where excess consumption could be potentially harmful, important health advisory information is included.

"Being responsible to the environment has always been a priority for Brancott and by partnering with the Blue Ocean Institute, we are making an even deeper commitment to protecting the world's resources," said Patrick Materman, Chief Winemaker for Brancott. "Our goal is to provide the necessary tools so consumers can make educated choices. FishPhone puts up-to-the-minute research available at your fingertips and eliminates the confusion surrounding responsible fish consumption. Along with suggestions on expertly crafted wines, we hope we can provide users with relevant information in an easy-to-access manner."

As one of the founding members of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, Brancott has an established history of respecting the environment. Key Brancott initiatives include significantly reducing chemical spraying in its vineyards, minimizing packaging waste, implementing a more water-efficient system, significantly reducing the use of raw materials and drastically decreasing the contribution to landfills. Brancott also uses natural fertilizer composed of composted grape marc (pressed skins, pips and stems) and prunings, which effectively returns the fundamental components of the grapes, including their nutrients and organic matter, back to the soil. The launch of this application is another initiative that demonstrates Brancott's commitment to move beyond sustainability with key practices designed to protect the environment. By the 2010 vintage, 100% of Brancott's wines will be fully accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

Blue Ocean Institute is a conservation organization that uniquely uses science, art, and literature to inspire a closer bond with nature, especially the sea. The organization translates scientific information into easy to understand language that can be used to make better choices on behalf of the ocean.

To download the application on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, search for FishPhone in the iTunes store.  Additional information on Brancott and The Blue Ocean Institute is available at www.brancottvineyards.com and www.blueocean.org.

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. In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA is now the second-leading company in the U.S. by sales value.

In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Martell® Cognac, Malibu® flavored Rum, Kahlua® Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; 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.

The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 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.  

About Blue Ocean Institute

Founded in 2003 by MacArthur Fellow Dr. Carl Safina (www.carlsafina.org) and Mercedes Lee, Blue Ocean Institute developed the first sustainable seafood guide (and made it scientifically transparent) and forged a significant, rapidly expanding sustainable seafood movement. Blue Ocean develops conservation solutions that enlighten personal choices, instill hope and inspire people to take action in a growing effort to restore living abundance in the ocean. Please visit www.blueocean.org for program details.

About the Waitt Foundation

Ted Waitt established the Waitt Foundation in 1993 to reflect his family's heartfelt commitment to give back to the community through research and education. Since then, the foundation has donated over $100 million to non-profit and charitable organizations both at home and abroad.  Funding partnerships and projects in conjunction with its grantees and two operating foundations, the Waitt Institute for Discovery and the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention, the foundation supports a variety of initiatives through its four program areas: ocean conservation, exploration and discovery, scientific innovation, and community building. For more information please visit: www.waittfoundation.org.

SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA