Consumer Wine Demand Drives Restaurant Innovation

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in 19 years, U.S. wine consumption per capita is outpacing France and Italy, as reported by Vinexpo. Currently, Americans account for a whopping 13 percent of total global wine consumption. The largest growing demographic of wine drinkers are Millienials, and their top reasons for wine purchase are varieties of wine by the glass and the ability to pair it with food. Additionally, according to Wine Market Council research, core wine drinkers want and expect choice.

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However, despite the growing demand for wine and wine variety, the average list of wines by the glass only offers 25 selections, according to the Napa Technology 2012 Wines By The Glass Survey. This limits the variety of wine available to consumers.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, a leader in the fine dining industry, is bucking their competitors and creatively offering its Guests 100 wines by the glass. Called the Fleming's 100^®, it is available at all 65 locations nationwide.  

"It's clear that choice and selection in most restaurants are limited compared to the growing wine demand. At Fleming's, we are not just meeting demand – we're exceeding it in an innovative way," said Maeve Pesquera, National Director of Wine for Fleming's. "We're the only restaurant company nationwide to offer such an extensive selection of wines by the glass."

The Fleming's 100^® takes a year to create and offers exactly what restaurant Guests are clamoring for: variety. The comprehensive wine list is divided by varietals, including traditional offerings like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and emerging trend-setters like sweet wines, interesting white varietals, Rieslings, Moscato and Sauvignon Blancs. There are more than 30 wines on the list priced at $10 dollars or less.

"We're known for our impeccable steaks and award-winning hospitality, but with current trends and increasing demand, we're highlighting wine and giving our guests what they want," said Pesquera.

Wines from the Fleming's 100^® can be enjoyed several ways: by the glass, as part of a flight, with a Big Pour or by the bottle.  Wine flights are served on the Fleming's Wine Vine.  Guests can select three of the Fleming's 100^® to create their flight, and each selection is served in two-ounce pours and priced at one-third of the regular menu price. The Fleming's Big Pour allows guests to savor a glass and a half of any Fleming's 100^® wine. All wines on the list are also available by the bottle.

For more information on the Fleming's 100^® or to make reservations, please visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

About Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
The nationally acclaimed Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers the best in steakhouse dining – Prime meats and chops, fresh fish and poultry, generous salads and side orders—with a unique wine list known as the Fleming's 100®, which features over 100 wines served by the glass.  Fleming's was launched in Newport Beach, California in 1998 by successful restaurant industry veterans Paul Fleming and Bill Allen.  Today there are 65 restaurants nationwide. Fleming's is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Wine Spectator Magazine's Award of Excellence.

SOURCE Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar