"Passport to Vinho Verde" Wine Promotion Hits Chicago and San Francisco in June

NEW YORK, May 31, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Following two years of successful Vinho Verde Week promotions in New York, the Vinho Verde Regional Viticultural Commission (CVRVV) of Portugal expands its program to include Chicago and San Francisco for the entire month of June. The new program, "Passport to Vinho Verde," celebrates the food-friendly nature of Vinho Verde wine by offering pairing menus and by-the-glass selections at top restaurants throughout Chicago, San Francisco and their surrounding areas. Additionally, participating retailers will host in-store Vinho Verde tastings and other specials during the month. 

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120531/NY15092LOGO )

Wine lovers can enjoy these offerings from June 1st – 30th and discover firsthand why the fruity aromas and light, crisp, vivacious flavors of Vinho Verde make the wines ideal for summer. Vinho Verde wines have balanced acidity and are light in alcohol and calorie content, making them enjoyable on their own or when paired with a fresh summer dish.

Another added feature to this year's program is the consumer sweepstakes. Starting June 1st, consumers can text the word "VINHO" to a secret number listed on special "Passport to Vinho Verde" postcards found at participating restaurants and retailers for a chance to win a trip for two to the Vinho Verde wine region in Portugal.*

"The new program addresses the growing enthusiasm for Vinho Verde wines in the U.S.," said Manuel Pinheiro, Executive President of the CVRVV. "It is a great opportunity for consumers to try various Vinho Verde wines and see how well they pair with seafood, salads and international cuisines, such as Latin and Asian-inspired dishes."

The Passport to Vinho Verde wine promotion is part of a three-year campaign, underwritten by CVRVV and the European Union, to increase interest and awareness for Vinho Verde wines and the Vinho Verde region of Portugal in the U.S.

For additional information on the "Passport to Vinho Verde" promotional program, including in-store tasting dates and times in your area, please visit our website at http://www.winesofvinhoverde.com/passport-to-vinho-verde/.

"Passport to Vinho Verde" in-store tastings:

Chicago

• Foremost Liquors
• Hy Vee
• Potash Market – Clark Street
• Potash Market – State Street
• Provenance Food & Wine – California Avenue
• Provenance Food & Wine – Leland Avenue
• Red & White
• The Noble Grape

"Passport to Vinho Verde" retailer specials:

San Francisco

• Andronico's Community Market
• Cheese Shop
• Coit Liquors
• Draeger's Market – Blackhawk
• Draeger's Market – Los Altos
• Draeger's Market – Menlo Park
• Draeger's Market – San Mateo
• Farmstead Cheeses and Wines – Alameda
• Farmstead Cheeses and Wines – Montclair
• Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants
• Gene's Fine Foods
• Ledgers Liquors
• Luso Mercado
• Mollie Stones – Burlingame
• Mollie Stones – Greenbrae
• Mollie Stones – Palo Alto
• Mollie Stones – San Bruno
• Mollie Stones – San Francisco (Castro)
• Mollie Stones – San Francisco (Pacific Heights)
• Mollie Stones – San Francisco (Twin Peaks)
• Mollie Stones – San Mateo
• Mollie Stones – Sausalito
• Oxbow Wine Merchant & Wine Bar – Napa
• Sousa's Discount Liquors
• The Jug Shop
• Trade Rite Market
• William Cross Wine Merchants & Wine Bar

"Passport to Vinho Verde" restaurant specials and wine menu options:

Chicago

• Adriatic
• Blue Star Wine Bar
• Fork
• Rittergut
• Vera
• Via Veneto
• Vincent Restaurant

San Francisco

• Andalu
• Bacalhau Grill
• Bin38
• Destino
• Elixir
• Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants
• La Salette
• Pisco Latin Lounge
• Rye
• The Westwood Popup
• William Cross Wine Merchants & Wine Bar

*No purchase necessary. Open to residents of NY & IL who are 21 and older. Contest ends 6/30/12. Void where prohibited. Additional restrictions apply. See rules at http://www.winesofvinhoverde.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Passport-rules.pdf.

About The Vinho Verde Regional Viticultural Commission

The Comissao de Viticultura da Regiao dos Vinhos Verdes (CVRVV- Vinho Verde Regional Viticultural Commission) was created in 1926 to regulate the production and marketing of Vinho Verde.  It is an inter-professional organization with the objective of defending the regional and national heritage that makes up the Vinho Verde Controlled Appellation of Origin (CAO) and the Minho Geographic Indication (GI).  For more information, visit www.vinhoverde.pt/en.

Media Contact:
JoLynn Howe
RF|Binder
212.994.7693
[email protected]

SOURCE Vinho Verde Regional Viticultural Commission