The EU and Wines of Germany Showcase Top European Rieslings at The Aspen FOOD & WINE Classic

NEW YORK, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Union and Wines of Germany will present top European Rieslings at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado from June 18-20.  For 28 years, Food & Wine magazine has hosted this highly exclusive and popular industry retreat, shaping it into the premier food and wine festival in the U.S.  The event will cater to a targeted group of 5,000 wine enthusiasts and VIP members of the trade and media, including industry stars such as chefs Jose Andres, Mario Batali, Tom Colicchio, David Chang, Masaharu Morimoto, Michael Symon and Jacques Pepin.

At the Classic's Grand Tasting, the EU and Wines of Germany will showcase wines from 19 top Riesling producers from Germany, Alsace and Austria in its "Destination Riesling" booth. Aldo Sohm, wine director of renowned New York restaurant, Le Bernardin, and "Best Sommelier in the World 2008" by the World Sommelier Association, along with Paul Grieco, partner, general manager and wine director of renowned New York restaurants Hearth and Terroir Wine Bars, will appear at the Destination Riesling booth.  Along with the Wines of Germany team, the two will host a private "Riesling in the Rockies" reception offsite highlighting Riesling's unique ability to pair with food.  Paul Grieco will also host several "Riesling: A World Tour" seminars throughout the weekend for Classic guests.

The Destination Riesling presence at the Classic is part of a three-year campaign, underwritten by the European Union and Wines of Germany, to market European Rieslings in the U.S.  The campaign seeks to increase interest and awareness for European Riesling among consumers and the trade. More information can be found at www.destinationriesling.com.

Riesling continues to generate great enthusiasm in the U.S.  According to IMPACT Databank 2009, Riesling is the only major white varietal, aside from Pinot Grigio, that has enjoyed higher imported volume compared to domestic wines in the U.S. In 2008, imported Riesling registered a 4.5% increase to 3.2 million cases, at least 60% of which originated from Germany.

About Wines of Germany

Wines of Germany, formerly known as the German Wine Information Bureau, is the exclusive U.S. office of the Deutsches Weininstitut.  Wines of Germany is focused on creating greater awareness to further enhance the image and increase sales of wine in the U.S. through educational and promotional activities.  It is the primary information source on wines deriving from the 13 German wine growing regions for members of the wine trade, the media, and U.S. consumers.  The promotional and educational efforts of Wines of Germany focus primarily on Riesling, the most famous German grape variety. Visit www.germanwineusa.com for more information.

SOURCE Wines of Germany