Carnaval Sparkling Moscato Celebrates Gold Medal As America Discovers Brazilian Wines

USA - English

• Latin America - español

PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Corks are popping for Carnaval, the Brazilian sparkling wine brand created and marketed by Island Club Brands (ICB) of Palm Beach, Fla., which recently earned top honors at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. The prestigious gold medal for Carnaval Moscato, as well as the bronze medals won by Carnaval Rose Moscato and Carnaval Brut, symbolizes the growing excitement in the U.S. over Brazilian wines and the ongoing evolution of moscato as an easy-drinking, flavorful wine whose star is on the rise.

"Carnaval is the everyday wine of celebration, and today we are celebrating that Carnaval has been honored as one of the best sparkling moscatos in the world," said Matti Anttila, ICB founder and CEO. "I can't think of a better way to introduce this fun, festive Brazilian sparkling wine to American consumers."

The accolades for Carnaval are well-timed. Earlier this month ICB announced a major U.S. consumer push for its Brazilian wine portfolio, which also includes Aurora Cellars Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Reserva Tannat, produced by Vinicola Aurora, Brazil's largest and most important winery.

In San Francisco, Aurora Cellars Reserva Tannat earned a silver medal, its most recent distinction since being added as a Sommelier Selection at Morton's Steakhouse, which marked the first time a Brazilian wine has been featured on the wine list of a major U.S. restaurant chain. Carnaval has since announced new placements with Fogo de Chao, the chain of Brazilian churrascaria restaurants, which will carry Carnaval Rose Moscato in all 19 current U.S. locations and three new doors scheduled to open by year's end.

ICB works closely with Wines of Brasil, the government and industry-supported marketing group, to generate awareness of Brazilian wines among American consumers. As worldwide anticipation builds for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Carnaval will host a series of promotional events in major markets across the U.S. celebrating Brazilian food, wine, music, fashion and dance, encouraging American consumers to "discover Brazil, where every day is a celebration."

"This is a very exciting time for Brazil and Brazilian wines – no country in the world celebrates like Brazil," said Anttila. "Moscato, one of the most popular and fastest-growing wine categories over the last few years, continues to win new fans around the world, and we're giving American consumers the opportunity to discover one of the most enticing cultures on earth."

Carnaval Sparkling Wine is currently available in 30 U.S. states, including most major wine retailers. To discover more, join the party at Facebook or sign up at Carnaval Sparkling Wine.

About Island Club Brands
Island Club Brands (ICB) is a wine and spirits brand developer focused on creating, importing and marketing innovative new products and revitalizing historically significant brands. Current brands include Cabana Cachaca, named one of the "Top 50 Spirits in the World"by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2011, Carnaval Brazilian Sparkling Wine, a trendsetting brand launched in 2012 that is the first to bring the flavors of Brazil's exciting, emerging wine region to consumers in the United States, Aurora Cellars wine from Brazil and an emerging portfolio of domestic craft spirits including Chicken Cock Whiskey and soon to launch General Beauregard Dixie Vodka.

SOURCE Island Club Brands