W. J. Deutsch & Sons Introduces a New California Red Wine - Flirt

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With a wink, a nod and slight sassy smile, W. J. Deutsch & Sons (WJD), a leading wine and spirit supplier of more than 25 award-winning brands from around the world, today unveiled the newest addition to its portfolio - Flirt, a red blend from California.

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Flirt.jpg

Created through a joint venture with Vintage Wine Estates, the stunning red which makes its introduction with the 2010 vintage is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Tempranillo.

"Red blend brands are among the fast growing segments in the wine category today," said Tom Steffanci, President, W.J. Deutsch & Sons. "The timing of our introduction of Flirt is ideal as precious few brands have been able to combine wine style, value and brand cues that really appeal to female consumers. We are confident that we've nailed it."

"This is an exciting brand that demonstrates the beauty of our partnership with Deutsch," said Pat Roney, President, Vintage Wine Estates. "Our winemaking expertise combined with Deutsch's brand building and sales strength has allowed us to develop a winning formula that many of our customers are enthusiastically embracing."

Sales of red blends, according to Nielsen, have grown over the last 52-week period by more than 50 percent, second only to Moscato among leading varietals. As a new category, red blends account for some five-million cases, with three of the top four brands being less than three years old.

Flirt is the first red blend to celebrate women and with its unique packaging is sure to catch the eye of wine lovers looking for something fresh and new. Consumers are playfully invited to try Flirt with the line, "Your other wine will never know," which appears on point of sale materials.  

"This is a serious wine that doesn't take itself too seriously," said Marco DiGiulio, Chief Winemaking Overlord at Vintage Wine Estates. "We started with exceptional fruit as you would expect in a red blend, but wanted to add the complexity for which VWE wines are known. The addition of the Tempranillo adds a hint of brown spice and black pepper that accents the black pepper in the Zinfandel. A judicious use of acid keeps the brightness of the fruit: the ideal combination of complexity and balance. We've got a winner."

Expected in stores by April, Flirt will be available in 750 ml ($10.99). Additional information can be found at http://www.flirtwinery.com.

About Vintage Wine Estates: Vintage Wine Estates, headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, is a locally owned, multifaceted wine business enterprise encompassing exceptional wines from Napa, Sonoma and the finest North Coast appellations, including Flirt Winery, Girard Winery, Cosentino Winery, Cartlidge & Browne Winery, Ray's Station, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Windsor Sonoma Winery, Grove Street Winery and Windsor Vineyards.

About W.J. Deutsch & Sons: W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd. was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009 Deutsch announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a separate Spirits Division, W.J. Deutsch Spirits LLC. Deutsch's wines and spirits are sold to the trade with well-planned marketing support and are offered to U.S. consumers at fair market prices. Today the company is renowned for its brand building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirit industry.

The W.J. Deutsch & Sons portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [yellow tail], [yellow tail] The Reserve, [yellow tail] Bubbles; California: Girard Winery, Windsor Sonoma, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Kunde Family Estate, Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars; France: Andre Lurton, Georges Duboeuf, Hob Nob Vineyards, Patch Block, Pierre Sparr, Sauvion et Fils, Vidal Fleury; Italy: Barone Fini, Castello di Monastero, Coldisole, Poggio alle Sughere, Lionello Marchesi, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Spain: Mar De Frades (Rias Baixas), Cruz de Alba (Ribera del Duero), Ramon Bilbao Vinos Y Vinedos (Rioja), and Volteo (Castilla); Chile: Llai Llai; Argentina: Ruta 22; and award-winning spirits from Landy Cognac (France), Luksusowa Vodka (Poland), The Original MOONSHINE and Adult Chocolate Milk (USA), Villa Massa (Italy) and commencing March 1, LICOR 43 (Spain). http://www.wjdeutsch.com

Media Contact:

Laura B. Peet, Director of Public Relations
W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd.
914-251-3294
[email protected]

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SOURCE W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd.