Rosé Avengers & Producers Announce 5th Annual PINK OUT! SF Tasting Date for May 12th 2009

POINT RICHMOND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rosé Avengers & Producers (RAP) announced today that its signature annual tasting event, PINK OUT! SF will be held on Tuesday, May 12th 2009. The event will take place at Butterfly Restaurant on the Embarcadero at Pier 33. Overlooking San Francisco Bay, the 5th annual fine rosé tasting will feature 40 participating wineries pouring still and sparkling rosés from around the world, with many of the winemakers who craft them in attendance. Butterfly’s executive chef and owner Robert Lam will create rosé-inspired appetizers from sustainably and organically sourced ingredients.

The event underscores the continued ascendancy and maturation of the $6.00 and over rosé category in the marketplace. According to The Nielsen Company, premium rosé table wines are outpacing the market, growing at double digit levels on both dollars and volume in 2008, even into the last quarter (Total U.S. Food, Drug, and Major Liquor Markets, 52 weeks ending 1/10/09).

“Rosé growth rates are well in excess of the total table wine category, 5 times faster on dollars in the last year and 25% or 9 times faster on volume,” said Danny Brager, VP Group Client Director, Beverage Alcohol, The Nielsen Company.

“Rosés are delicious, sexy, food-friendly and offer an excellent quality to value ratio,” said Paige Poulos, President of Paige Poulos Communications and a co-founder of RAP. “In today’s economic climate, it’s no surprise that premium rosés are market darlings,” she said.

From its inaugural event in 2005, PINK OUT! tastings have drawn full house crowds. This year is expected to sell-out in advance once again. The trade and media portion runs 3:30pm to 6:00pm. The consumer tasting is open 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Consumer tickets are $35 in advance online only at www.rapwine.com, and $45 at the door if available.

Media and trade RSVPs and credentials are required. Passes can be secured by contacting Danielle Coe or Ben Martin of Paige Poulos Communications at (510) 970-9777 or emailing RAP@paigepoulos.com. To learn more about RAP and to sign-up for free membership, please visit www.rapwine.com.