Xavier Flouret Wines Launches And Wins Double Gold At 2008 San Francisco Wine Competition

For Immediate Release: Xavier Flouret Wines�, a new premium brand of wines made by some of the world's finest family-owned vineyards and imported by Cognac One LLC, launched in late June to industry insiders and press at Benoit, Alain Ducasse's newest New York City restaurant.

Xavier Flouret, a native of France who has been living in the United States for over a decade, developed his love for wine from being exposed to great wines since childhood. During his time in the United States, he came to realize that Americans are increasingly interested in exploring the vast world of wine; however, he felt that faced with an overwhelming amount of choice, a certain segment of wine buyers would welcome a premium brand that could introduce them to new and interesting wines but also serve as a mark of quality, giving them confidence in their selections.

In selecting his portfolio of wines, Xavier Flouret has partnered with wineries from several different countries that have a history and tradition in their respective areas and that share his philosophy; Xavier has chosen wines made from grapes that are indigenous to specific regions of the world and that showcase the fruit, the terroir, and the climate that make each wine unique and special. Xavier's dream was to create a first-class collection that would inspire consumers to try something new.

Xavier also aimed to devise fresh, elegant, and easily recognizable labels that people would connect with and remember. The only brand to win a Double Gold Medal at the 2008 San Francisco Wine Competition for its series of visually powerful and beautifully designed labels, Xavier Flouret Wines� are effortlessly identifiable with their prominent "X" front label. The informative back label of each bottle provides a photo and bio of the winemaker, details on the vineyard, style, and when to drink, and useful food pairing recommendations.

Xavier Flouret has composed a portfolio of 10 rigorously selected white, ros� and red wines that are the hallmark of their respective expert winemakers and reflect the true authenticity of their regions, varieties, and appellations. Each of these wines represents the best of the winemakers' abilities, a culmination of generations of knowledge and experience. Currently available are: Nationale 7 (2006 C�tes de Provence Ros�), F� (2001 Rioja Reserva Red, 2008 SF Wine Competition Bronze Medal) Rouge Noir (2006 Menetou-Salon Red), French Blonde (2007 Sancerre; 2008 SF Wine Competition Silver Medal), and La Victoire (2005 Bordeaux Red; 2008 SF Wine Competition Bronze Medal). Selections are available at such venerable wine merchants as Garnet Wines & Liquors in New York City, Zachy's in Westchester and Wines by Morrell in East Hampton. Suggested retail prices range from $15 to $29. Restaurants serving Xavier Flouret Wines include The American Hotel in Sag Harbor, La Goulue, Bagatelle, and Geisha in New York City. As of September 2008, five additional wines will be offered, with 15 more wines planned for introduction in the next twelve months.