Press Releases
Bouchard Aîné & Fils Pinossimo Takes the Mystery Out of French Pinot Noir
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., November 13, 2003 - Bouchard Aîné & Fils, a Pinot Noir specialist in Burgundy for over 250 years, has announced the release of Pinossimo, a new Pinot Noir from the South of France. With its fruity style, bold, upbeat packaging, and $9 price tag, Pinossimo distinguishes itself from other French wines by offering an alternative that is at once fun, approachable and affordable.
Few would dispute the claim that the French make some of the finest, most sought-after wines in the world, and the success of Bouchard Aîné & Fils is largely built upon that same tradition of excellence. In the US, however, this quality reputation is often accompanied by the perception that French wines are both expensive and difficult to understand. As awareness of high quality alternatives from other regions continues to grow, many wine drinkers - especially younger and newer ones - are simply not willing to invest the time and money it takes to "figure out" the French.
Enter Pinossimo, an adventurous wine with a festive, easy-to-read label and a price that lets consumers explore the world of French Pinot Noir without "breaking the bank." This progressive approach represents a shift from the more traditional presentation of the Bouchard Aîné & Fils portfolio.
"We recognize that a lot of people are intimidated by French wines. Pinossimo allows us to offer a straightforward, inexpensive Pinot Noir that is made with the same attention to quality that characterizes all of our wines. Once people discover the excellent value of Pinossimo, we think they will want to try some of our other Pinot Noirs as well," explains Stephane Oudar, General Manager of Bouchard Aîné & Fils.
Pinossimo is 100% Pinot Noir from Southwest France (Pays d'Oc), vinified in the traditional Burgundy method: de-stemming and crushing of grapes followed by cold maceration and a two week fermentation period in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Bouchard Aîné & Fils Head Winemaker Laurent Mairet then selects part of the juice to be aged in oak barrels from Burgundy while the remaining juice is kept in tanks to capture the fruit. After ageing, the two parts are blended back together, creating a wine which respects the rich fruitiness of the Pinot Noir grape. Pinossimo Pinot Noir 2002 is now available and ready to drink upon release with a suggested retail price of $9 per bottle.
Bouchard Aîné & Fils has made fine Burgundy wines in Beaune for over 250 years. Its products range from regional appellations to premiers and grands crus, including the prestigious Cuvée Signature line.
