Press Releases

France’s second-largest Appellation debuts in print, trade and out-of-home media this fall

New York, NY, September 10, 2009—Inter-Rhône is pleased to announce the debut of a consumer advertising campaign this fall:  “Côtes du Rhône:  Always Right.”  The campaign is the first from the region to run in the United States and will be featured in print publications in addition to out-of-home executions in the New York market.

The campaign’s main goal is to increase spontaneous awareness of Côtes du Rhône wines by U.S. consumers. “The U.S. is the second biggest market worldwide for Côtes du Rhône wines.  Given the growing popularity of wine among American consumers in general, we thought the time was right to launch our first campaign,” said Oriane Beloud, Export Marketing Manager for Inter-Rhône, the Avignon-based trade association responsible for marketing the region’s wines worldwide.  “Our efforts are dedicated to increasing consumption in the U.S. market, a growth area, where the population doesn’t require as much education as an emerging market like Asia.  At the same time, we are reinforcing recognition of the names of the various A.O.C.s in the region to help encourage recall in the Rhône section at the retail level.”

The campaign, “Côtes du Rhône:  Always Right,” reflects the versatility of wines from this famed region which encompasses more than 191,750 acres of vines and 6,000 growers in the southeast of France.  Côtes du Rhône wines are noted for their incomparable quality and wide range is styles, offering choices for casual or formal situations at a variety of price points. The campaign is unlike any other in the wine industry, where the practice has been to lure consumers with picturesque images of vineyards or scenes of people in social settings. The ads feature a variety of simple cues showcasing the versatility of Côtes du Rhône wines, wines for every taste and every occasion, which consumers can identify with when making decisions about wine pairings.

Created by ArnoldNYC, the campaign will appear nationally in publications including Real Simple, Food & Wine, Fortune, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.  The campaign also will run in major regional markets in print on the East Coast including New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C.  In New York the campaign will be featured on the Metro North & Long Island Rail Road on interior car cards and platform posters.  Wildpostings also will be featured city-wide.  “Côtes du Rhône is one of the most versatile and unique wines on the market.  We’re excited to bring Côtes du Rhône to life in a new campaign that mirrors the fantastic qualities of the wine,” said Lynn Power, President of ArnoldNYC. “To see Côtes du Rhône make a statement to regain their rightful popularity in the U.S. market is fantastic.” 

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About Côtes du Rhône

Côtes du Rhône is the second largest Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.) in France with over 6,000 wine grape growers. Located along the Rhône River between Lyon and Avignon, Côtes du Rhône wines are widely available in the U.S. and offer diversity and value. A fruit forward and spicy taste profile that pairs well with meals is indicative of Côtes du Rhône wines. www.cotesdurhone.us

Promotional Events Follow at Hospice du Rhône, in San Francisco and New York City.

New York, NY, April 24, 2009—Côtes du Rhône, the second largest quality wine region in France, begins nationwide promotional events in support of The Wine Makers, the new upcoming reality series on PBS. The kick-off has been announced to take place on April 25th at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 66th Annual Convention and Exposition in Orlando, FL where attendees will have a sneak-preview of the upcoming program as well as the opportunity to interact with cast members including judges, host and contestants.

The series, which is scheduled to debut in late spring, follows twelve cast members as they learn and experience the wine making process and compete in challenges focusing on all aspects of the profession, from viticulture and enology to sales and marketing, all for the opportunity to launch their own wine label. A preliminary list follows with additional event dates to be announced:

• April 30th-May 2nd, Paso Robles, CA – Hospice du Rhône
• Trade & Consumer Screening, San Francisco, CA – date and location TBA
• Trade & Consumer Industry Screening, New York, NY – date and location TBA

Côtes du Rhône will also participate in a number of promotional events in other key markets across the country throughout the run of the series. “Our decision to support The Wine Makers was made as season one was filmed in Paso Robles, a region known for producing wines based on grapes originally from the Côtes du Rhône, famous for its Syrah and Grenache,” explains Oriane Beloud, Inter Rhône Export Marketing Manager for the United States. “In the series, a challenge includes contestants making Rhône style blends, which helps demonstrate the connection between Old World and New World wines as well.”

For additional information about Côtes du Rhône and their support of The Wine Makers, please visit www.rhone-wines.com.

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About Côtes du Rhône

Côtes du Rhône is the second largest Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.) in France with over 6,000 wine grape growers. Located along the Rhône River between Lyon and Avignon, Côtes du Rhône wines are widely available in the U.S. and offer diversity and value. A fruit forward and spicy taste profile that pairs well with meals is indicative of Côtes du Rhône wines. www.rhone-wines.com

This year’s special program showcases the best of the Rhône Valley March 16-21, including Rosés.

New York, NY, February 3, 2009—Côtes du Rhône, the second largest Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.) wine region in France, is excited to announce the fifth bi-annual festival, Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône, hosted by Inter Rhône. The festival features numerous wine tastings and presents an exclusive opportunity to tour the Rhône Valley. The event is strictly reserved for the wine trade and media. This spring, Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône is scheduled for March 16-21. Participants have the opportunity to meet with 750 winemakers, taste more than 4,000 different wines and enjoy the charming qualities and delectable flavors of the Rhône Valley over the six-day period. New to this year’s program will be a thematic tasting of Rhône Valley rosés.

The tastings will travel along the Rhône river with many appellations organizing special tastings or activities such as food and wine pairings, vertical tastings, hiking in the vineyards and formal dinners. The festival path :
- starts in the South, around or in Avignon featuring Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages, Beaumes de Venise, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clairette de Bellegarde, Costières de Nîmes, Coteaux du Tricastin, Côtes du Vivarais, Gigondas, Lirac, Luberon, Tavel, Vacqueyras, Ventoux, and Vinsobres;
- heads up north, Cornas, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and Saint-Péray will be tasted in Tain l’Hermitage and,
- the final stop will be in Ampuis, with three appellations : Saint-Joseph, Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu

“We are especially looking forward to this year’s festival,” explains Oriane Beloud, Inter Rhône Export Marketing Manager for the United States. “The U.S. market is our number one priority for Inter Rhône in 2009 and Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône is a unique and efficient way for media and trade to see first hand the treasures of the region.”

For additional information about Côtes du Rhône, a complete itinerary on the festival and to register, please visit www.rhone-wines.com and click on the Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône banner.
 

# # # 

About Côtes du Rhône

Côtes du Rhône is the second largest Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.) in France with over 6,000 wineries. Located along the Rhône River between Lyon and Avignon, Côtes du Rhône wines are widely available in the U.S. and offer diversity and value. A fruit forward and spicy taste profile that pairs well with meals is indicative of Côtes du Rhône wines. www.rhone-wines.com