Graffigna™ And Riedel Announce The Perfect Pairing

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