Rosés Set Sail in NYC

The sun-kissed coasts and slopes of balmy wine growing regions around the world will lap up against the shores of Manhattan in June when La Nuit En Ros� makes its grand debut in New York City.

The brainchild of wine entrepreneur Pierrick Bouquet, La Nuit En Ros� - actually two days and nights on June 13 and 14, 2014 - is the U.S.'s first large-scale wine event dedicated to Ros�s from around the globe. Think of it as a world tour... in a glass. By the time of the event guests can expect to sample more than 50 wines from around the world, savoring the depth and breadth of ros�s from the world's great wine regions, including France, Italy, the U.S., Spain, Chile, South Africa, Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco, and Argentina. Many of the wines have not been sampled in the U.S. before. The event will expand to additional U.S. cities in 2015.

La Nuit en Ros�'s setting is as unique as the diverse sampling of wines offered: on the water. Set aboard a new luxurious yacht, La Nuit En Ros� will offer chic, cocktail-style tasting, delectable culinary dishes, lively music, and some of the best views Manhattan has to offer. Romance reigns supreme during two four-hour sessions a day, afternoons and evenings, each featuring ninety-minute sailings along the Hudson River.

The event also features a wine competition, where distinguished judges will confer honors upon the best of the very same wines guests will sample. And, unlike almost any other wine competition, La Nuit En Ros� will feature an audience award.

From Ruby Red to Strawberry Blonde

An event of this scope is an acknowledgement of the growth of the ros� sector, one of the biggest trends in wine today. Ros�s have exploded in popularity and earned the respect and appreciation of wine lovers and connoisseurs in recent years. Once thought of as "barbecue" wines and referred to as a pink version of the sugary White Zinfandel, today, Americans can't get enough of ros�. Known for its incredible versatility with virtually any food, ros�s are especially popular in the spring and summer months. While you can get a great bottle for no more than $12, many trendy ros�s will set diners back $100 or more in some restaurants, and certain varietals sell out quickly in summertime.

Forbes' Kate Kelly Bell recently declared, "Once tragically uncool, ros� wine is now officially hip." Paul Chevalier, National Fine Wine Director for Shaw-Ross International Importers predicts, "I think ros� consumption is going to continue to grow into something quite big in the US." La Nuit En Ros� founder and head of food and wine marketing agency ABLE, Bouquet says, "Ros� wines aren't a fad-- they're a reflection of what people look for when drinking wine. They want an immediate and simple pleasure, and this is the kind of experience they'll get at our festival."

According to new data from Nielsen, premium imported ros�s, those priced at $12 or more per bottle, grew by 39% on volume and 48% on value in 2013, capping nine straight years of documented double-digit growth.

"Ros�s" can range from ruby red to the softest strawberry blonde, from still to sparkling, from bone dry to sweet. Why are California ros�s different from those from Provence or the Italian ros�s from their Spanish cousins? The styles and tasting profiles of each are as varied and complex as any varietal, and richly deserve their relatively newfound popularity.

The food being served includes oysters provided by the Brooklyn Oyster Party, cheese and charcuterie provided by wine bar Vin sur Vingt; a selection of ice-cream and a pink ros� wine infused ice-cream from The Tipsy Scoop; and Canel�s and financiers French pastries by C�line.

Guests will be able to purchase wines directly from event partner and renowned wine merchant Zachys at the event using iPads or their personal mobile phones. Concierges will guide consumers through this process, and after the event, Zachys will handles all orders and shipments.

For more information, visit: www.nuitrose.com