FLYING FISH RIESLING JOINS FAST GROWING CATEGORY

SEATTLE—September 2, 2008—Poised to take advantage of the white hot Riesling category, Click Wine Group today announced the launch of Flying Fish Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington. Available nationwide for the suggested retail price of $12.99, Flying Fish is just in time to meet the growing demand for this noble varietal. Riesling sales surge every Fall and peak during Thanksgiving. 

As the number one producer of domestic Riesling, Washington outsells California by 52 percent and is growing three times faster. Flying Fish uniquely captures the spirit of Washington with its distinctive aromas, flavors and the classic northwest artistry featured on its label. In this world class wine region, long sun-drenched days, cool evenings and volcanic soils produce wine with an unmistakable precision of place. Flying Fish is destined to become another Click Wine Group classic, each and every bottle consistently over delivering on quality. Flying Fish has already been awarded “Best Riesling and Double Gold” at the prestigious 2008 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

“Being a huge Riesling fan, I am excited to have a domestic Riesling like Flying Fish that I enjoy drinking and have great success selling,” said Joe Gerardi, wine buyer, Connecticut-based Stamford Wine & Liquor. “More often than not domestic Rieslings lack acidity and are cloying—not the case with Flying Fish. It is perfectly balanced with ripe fruit and crisp acidity, making it a popular choice for my customers.”

Riesling Sales on the Rise
Considered the “next great white” by many leading wine publications, Riesling recently discovered a renaissance among American consumers, retailers and restaurateurs, making it the fastest growing white varietal. Riesling is known for its pure fruit flavors, its diversity in transmitting terroir and its ability to harmonize with modern cuisines. Riesling sales have increased 54 percent in the last three years and consumers spent over $33 million more on Riesling in 2007 than in 2006, according to Nielsen Co. 
 
Handcrafted with Northwest Pride
Flying Fish is crafted by veteran winemaker Gordon Hill of Wahluke Wine Company from vineyards in Washington’s Columbia Valley and Wahluke Slope AVAs. In these regions daytime and nighttime temperatures are moderated by the mighty Columbia River, producing grapes with great fruit flavors and crisp acidity. By blending grapes from these vineyards, Hill achieves a perfectly balanced, fruit-expressive and food friendly wine. Over the last 25 years Hill has earned a reputation for making some of the highest rated wines in the Columbia Valley.

Flying Fish Riesling has fresh floral aromas, bright peach and apricot flavors with spicy minerality on the finish. The Riesling’s exquisite balance of flavors and crisp acidity make it a delicious accompaniment to spicy cuisines such as Asian, Spanish, Indian and Thai.

Flying Fish Riesling follows the success of Flying Fish Merlot first released in 2004.  The Merlot has dramatically grown by more than 65% over the past two years.  The Riesling debuts the brand’s exciting modern and elegant new look. The updated label and fish icon depict the Sockeye salmon that each year travel thousands of miles from the ocean up the Columbia River past several of the Flying Fish vineyards. In honor of the waters that are home to these great salmon, Click Wine Group donates a portion of the proceeds from every case of Flying Fish sold since 2004, to Ocean Conservancy (oceanconservancy.org) to protect endangered sea turtles and wild healthy oceans.  Ocean Conservancy is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.

About Wahluke Wine Company
Wahluke Wine Company’s proprietors, the Milbrandt family, have a rich history of farming in the Columbia Valley for decades. The Milbrandts planted their first vineyard in 1997. In the ensuing decade, Milbrandt Vineyards earned a reputation for growing some of Washington State\'s finest grapes.

About Click Wine Group
Click Wine Group is known throughout the industry as the company that pioneered no-nonsense marketing of top quality wines with clever, memorable names. The company’s portfolio includes Fat bastard (France), Root: 1 (Chile), Clean Slate (Germany), Flying Fish (U.S.), 2 up (Australia), and Mad Dogs & Englishmen (Spain). CEO and founder Peter Click believes the new Riesling is an excellent addition because–like all Click Wine Group wines–Flying Fish will deliver a level of quality previously unavailable at its price point.
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