Krug Champagne Appoints First US Brand Ambassador

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Krug Champagne, the world's first luxury Champagne House, is proud to announce the appointment of Master Sommelier Ian Cauble as the brand's first US Ambassador. In his new role, Cauble will serve as Krug's spokesperson in the United States, hosting a variety of tastings and training events across the country to inspire, educate, and share Krug's champagne-making process and unique brand philosophy.

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Ian Cauble was inducted into the Court of Master Sommeliers in July, joining the ranks of less than 130 US Master Sommeliers in the United States and less than 200 worldwide, after dedicating years of study to this pursuit of excellence.  The Master Sommelier Diploma is considered the highest distinction a professional can attain in the fine wine and beverage industry – candidates must undergo four stages of rigorous examinations and blind-tastings in order to earn the highly coveted title of Master Sommelier.  This arduous quest was chronicled in SOMM, a documentary film following Cauble along with three other talented young sommeliers through the notoriously rigorous Master Sommelier exams, which will open the Napa Valley Film Festival on November 7th at the Napa Opera house.

Prior to earning the coveted Master Sommelier title, Cauble was voted one of the "Best New Sommeliers" in the U.S. by Wine and Spirits magazine in 2008.  In 2011 he took the Gold in the USA TOP|SOMM championships, followed by a gold medal for the World Championship's for the Best Young Sommelier in the World. 

"As one of the most successful young sommeliers, with many accolades to his name already, we are proud to have Master Sommelier Ian Cauble join Krug as our first ever Brand Ambassador here in the United States," said Krug's US Brand Director Carl Heline.  "Krug developed the Brand Ambassador position as a way to further communicate the house's values and unique savoir faire, and we very much look forward to having Ian on board to drive awareness, education, and connect with key trade and consumers."  

Since its inception in 1843, Krug has aspired to create a champagne of undisputed quality, featuring a rare generosity and elegance.  It was not until the recent discovery of the personal journal of founder Joseph Krug, however, that Krug's unique dedication to integrity and continued craftsmanship was revealed.  With Cauble on board as the brand's new US Ambassador, Krug will be able to share this distinctive philosophy with a larger group of wine enthusiasts.

About Krug Champagne
The House of Krug illustrates the amazing adventure of a visionary, Joseph Krug, a determined man with an uncompromising philosophy, who understood that the essence of Champagne is pleasure itself.   He wanted to offer his clients the ultimate pleasure experience in Champagne every year, regardless of the annual changes in climate, and for this to be the signature of the House; thus Krug Grande Cuvee was born.   Joseph Krug founded the first and only House with Champagnes that are all of equal, undisputed quality and distinction. His vision and savoir-faire have been perpetuated and enriched by six generations of the Krug family since 1843.

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About the Court of Master Sommeliers
The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in England in 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. The first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam to be held in the United States was in 1987. The title Master Sommelier marks the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade. Education was then, and remains today, the Court's charter. There are four stages involved in attaining the top qualifications of Master Sommelier: 1) Introductory Sommelier Course; 2) Certified Sommelier Exam; 3) Advanced Sommelier Course; and 4) Master Sommelier Diploma. There are 129 professionals who have earned the title of Master Sommelier as part of the Americas chapter since the organization's inception.  Of those, 111 are men and 18 are women. There are 197 professionals worldwide who have received the title of Master Sommelier since the first Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.  www.mastersommeliers.org

About SOMM
Filmed in six countries over two years, SOMM is an upcoming feature documentary chronicling one of the hardest exams in the world.  SOMM is the story of four sommeliers attempting to pass the Master Sommelier exam, a test with one of the lowest pass rates in the world.  On Nov 7, 2012,  SOMM will premiere at the historic Napa Valley Opera House in conjunction with the Napa Valley Film Festival 2012.  www.facebook.com/sommdocfilm

SOURCE Krug Champagne