Brancott Estate Introduces a New Lighter Wine Range with Flight Song

Brancott Estate Flight Song Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Photo: Business Wire)

NEW YORK--()--Wine lovers now have the freedom to enjoy the full flavor of the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with Brancott Estate Flight Song. Brancott Estate Flight Song has been crafted to be 20 percent lighter in calories* and retains the freshness and ripe flavors that are synonymous with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

“Consumers have told us that they are looking for a wine style that is lighter in calories but doesn’t compromise on the taste and flavor complexity of the wine.” says Matt Foley, Brancott Estate Brand Director, Pernod Ricard USA.

Brancott Estate Flight Song is made using grapes harvested earlier in the season when their sugar levels are naturally lower. This leads to a wine that is 20 per cent lighter in calories* than a typical wine of the same varietal.

The Brancott Estate Flight Song range includes a premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and a Marlborough Pinot Grigio which will each retail at $14.99.

“There are a number of ways to reduce the calories in wine but not all of these processes are natural and many of them affect the flavor of the wine. With Brancott Estate Flight Song, we use a natural winemaking approach to create a wine that is 20 per cent lighter in calories*. By doing this, we retain all of the distinctive Marlborough flavors that people expect from Brancott Estate,” says Patrick.

Retaining quality and flavor was a key focus when crafting this wine and Brancott Estate Flight Song has clearly achieved this. In its first vintage, Brancott Estate Flight Song Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 won Gold in the Sauvignon Blanc category of the New Zealand International Wine Show**.

Brancott Estate Flight Song Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is pale green straw in color. On the nose, it exhibits pink grapefruit and passionfruit notes while ripe lemon acidity excites the palate. It is best enjoyed slightly chilled on its own for any occasion, or accompanied with seafood dishes, chicken or pork.

Brancott Estate Flight Song Marlborough Pinot Grigio is pale straw in color and shows floral notes with nashi pear and sweet lemon. White peach and guava create a full palate with ripe, citrus like acidity. Brancott Estate Flight Song Marlborough Pinot Grigio makes an excellent aperitif or serves as a perfect match to pork or chicken dishes.

The Brancott Estate Flight Song range will available in the United States nationwide starting in March.

Nutritional analysis as follows:

Per 5 fl. oz. serving of Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc - Average Analysis: Calories 88, Carbohydrates 4.5g, Protein 0g, Fat 0g

Per 5 fl. oz. serving of Brancott Estate Flight Song Pinot Grigio - Average Analysis: Calories 87, Carbohydrates 5.2g, Protein 0g, Fat 0g

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Brancott Estate

BRANCOTT ESTATETM. Honoring our Marlborough heritage, Brancott Estate wines take their name from our cherished Brancott Vineyard, home of the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; one of the world’s favorite New Zealand wine styles. In 1973, Brancott Vineyard was planted with grapes, a decision that went against the popular opinion of the time that the South Island was too cold to grow grapes. In 1975, Brancott Vineyard was planted with the first Sauvignon Blanc grapes in Marlborough. This pioneering determination and skill of our winemakers and viticulturists continues to be evident in every bottle, as is the care and respect for the land that allow us to produce each and every one. Brancott Estate wines are sourced from multiple vineyards.

BRANCOTT ESTATETM is committed to sustainable practices and is a founding member of New Zealand’s original sustainable winegrowing initiative established in 1995. This programme has since transformed into Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ). All vineyards and wineries are accredited under the scheme.

About Pernod Ricard USA®

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company’s leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avión); such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.com.

Enjoy Brancott Estate wines responsibly. www.brancottestate.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Brancott Estate is a trademark of Pernod Ricard New Zealand Limited.

*Compared with Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Brancott Estate Pinot Grigio 2012
** Submitted to New Zealand International Wine Competition as Brancott Estate Flight Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Contacts

For more information or images:
Pernod Ricard USA
Krista Drew, 212-372-5276.
Krista.Drew@pernod-ricard.com

Release Summary

Brancott Estate introduces a new lighter wine range with Flight Song. Brancott Estate Flight Song has been crafted to be 20 percent lighter in calories.

Contacts

For more information or images:
Pernod Ricard USA
Krista Drew, 212-372-5276.
Krista.Drew@pernod-ricard.com