Press Release: Wines of Germany and the European Union Present the Fifth Annual Riesling Week

Riesling is Celebrated Coast to Coast as the Ultimate Food-Friendly White Wine

NEW YORK, NY (May 18, 2009) - Wines of Germany and the European Union present the fifth annual Riesling Week, May 18-24th. During the week, restaurants and wine retailers from coast to coast will celebrate Riesling from Germany, as well as from Austria and Alsace, as the perfect complement to any warm-weather meal.  Restaurants in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami will offer European Riesling specials, including by-the-glass selections and food-pairing menus.  Wine retailers will also host Riesling tastings in participating cities.  More information can be found at www.destinationriesling.com/week.

European Riesling is known for its incredible elegance, versatility, unrivaled quality and harmonious balance of fruit and acidity.  It is the fastest growing white varietal in the U.S. and is consistently named as the first choice for white wines by sommeliers nationwide.  Germany is the birthplace of Riesling and holds more than 60 % of Riesling plantings worldwide.

“Since Riesling can range from bone dry to seductively sweet, its diverse nature suits a variety of dishes and pallets, making it an ideal choice for sommeliers and consumers alike,” said Alex Hasbany, General Manager of Spice Market NYC.

Over 100 top restaurants and retailers in New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami and Chicago have signed on to promote European Riesling during this national celebration. 

“This year marks the fifth anniversary of our very successful Riesling Week promotion,” said Monika Reule, Deutsches Weininstitut (DWI) Director.“ By offering Riesling specials, such as tastings and pairing menus, restaurants and retailers are exposing customers to the unique strengths and qualities of world-class Riesling from Germany as well as Austria and Alsace.”

The Riesling Week promotion is part of the "Destination Riesling" campaign, underwritten by Wines of Germany and the European Union.

Participants include:

RESTAURANTS

New York

15 East
Aquavit
Asia de Cuba
bar Olivino
Café Boulud
Center Cut
China Grill
Craft
Dévi Indian Cuisine
Double Crown
Fat Cat Pie
H2O Seafood Grill, Smithtown
Hearth
Le Colonial
L'Ecole
MetroCafe & Wine Bar
Morimoto
North Square Restaurant
Ono
Prime an American Kitchen, Huntington
Resto
Seäsonal Restaurant & Weinbar
Spice Market
Stone Park Cafe
Tellers an American Chophouse, Islip
Terroir
Thalassa
The Harrison
The Monday Room at Public
Tocqueville
Union Prime
Veloce Club
Zum Schneider Bavarian Bierhaus

Chicago

Ai Japanese Restaurant & Lounge
The Bottle Shop
Carlos' Restaurant
C-House
Frontera Grill & Topolobampo
Italian Villiage
La Cantina
Mirabell Restaurant
Ringo Japanese Restaurant
Salpicon
Shaw's Crab House
Tsuki
Vivere
Webster's Wine Bar

San Francisco

Ana Mandara
Betelnut Pejiu Wu
Campton Place Restaurant
Chez TJ Restaurant
Epic Roasthouse
Farallon
Fifth Floor
Jardinière
John Ash and Co. Restaurant
Le Colonial
Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant
Martini House
WINE Bar & Shop
xyz
zazu restaurant+farm

Miami

Azul
Bourbon Steak
Café Sambal
Emeril's Miami Beach
M-Bar
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Michy's
OLA
Ortanique on the Mile
Palme d’or Restaurant
Wine 69

Las Vegas

Aureole
Japonais Las Vegas
Lotus of Siam
MICHAEL MINA Bellagio
Pinot Brasserie
Rosemary's Restaurant
Vintner Grill
Top of the World Restaurant, Stratosphere

RETAILERS

New York

Best Cellars, Lexington @ 87th
Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit
California Wine Merchants
Discovery Wines
Fountain Head Wines & Distillations
K&D Wine & Spirits
Wine Therapy
Court Square Wine and Spirits
Union Square Wine & Spirits
Long's Wines & Liquor
Crush Wines & Spirits
Gnarly Vines
Olivino Wines
Blue Streak Wines & Spirits
67 Wine
Oak and Steel, Wine and Spirits
Manor House Cellar

Chicago

Binny's in Orland Park
Binny's in Schaumburg
Binny's Lakeview
Gentile's Wine Shop
Lush Wine & Spirits- University Village
Lush Wine & Spirits-Roscoe Village
Potash Brothers Market
Printer's Row Wine Store
Provenance Food & Wine-Lincoln Square
Provenance Food & Wine-Logan Square
Sandberg Wine Cellar
The Bottle Shop
DOC Wine Bar
Wine Knows
Courtyard Wines At Market Square
In Fine Spirits
Artisan Cellar

San Francisco

K&L Wine Merchants
WINE Bar & Shop
William Cross Wine Merchants
Blackwell's Wine & Spirits

Miami

Sunset Corners  Fine Wine & Spirits
W Wine Boutique
Wine 69

About Destination Riesling

Destination Riesling is a holistic communications campaign designed to increase interest and awareness for European Riesling among consumers in the U.S. The three-year program contains both consumer marketing and trade elements such as a dedicated Web site, restaurant promotions, tastings, seminars, press and sommelier trips. The campaign is underwritten by the German Wine Institute and the European Union. More information can be found at www.destinationriesling.com.

Media Contact
Juli McGlynn
212.994.7519
juli.mcglynn@rfbinder.com

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