Happy Hour, French Style

"French Cocktail Hour" Launches Its Fourth Annual Worldwide Campaign

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the "French Cocktail Hour" campaign is back to encourage people around the world to spend some time after work enjoying the diversity of delicious French wines, delectable cocktails and mouth-watering hors-d'oeuvres. Much like Cinco de Mayo, every year "French Cocktail Hour" Day is feted globally (this year in 36 cities, 24 countries) on the first Thursday in June. So come out and be a part of this global movement to enjoy a more sophisticated happy hour, French-style!

The www.FrenchCocktailHourUSA.com website is an excellent resource for all things "French Cocktail Hour," including recipes, cocktail ideas and tips on throwing a "French Cocktail Hour" party at home. Consumers nationwide will also have a chance to participate in the "French Cocktail Hour" magic and win an all expense paid trip to Club Med in Guadeloupe or Martinique by entering a sweepstakes on the "French Cocktail Hour" website. The contest ends on June 30th, 2007.

To further help consumers capture the apéritif moment, "French Cocktail Hour" has partnered with The New York Times to create a $250,000, multi-platform media campaign in the Sunday Magazine, online and in today's Wednesday Dining Section. It includes engaging, 4-color spread advertorials that feature two food and wine superstars: Bravo's "Top Chef" 1st season champion Harold Dieterle and Master Sommelier extraordinaire Andrea Immer Robinson.

Chef Harold Dieterle recommends the "French Cocktail Hour" tradition as "a perfect segue into a delicious meal," and Andrea Immer Robinson MS praises French sparkling wines as the ideal apéritif wines, adding, "There is always champagne, which is simply the ultimate, my favorite wine style in the world."

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                  "French Cocktail Hour" in a Nutshell

Whether enjoyed with friends from the comfort of home or at the corner
bistro, the apéritif moment is a chance to pique the appetite with savory
hors d'oeuvres and refreshing cocktails -- a moment to indulge, socialize
and celebrate with friends just prior to dinner. And it doesn't have to be
expensive: France's extensive array of quality food, wine and spirits
provides a delicious option for every taste and budget.
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"French Cocktail Hour" is produced by the international marketing and communications agency, Sopexa, on behalf of France's Ministry of Agriculture and the French Government Tourist Office (http://us.franceguide.com) and sponsored by Frederick Wildman & Sons (www.frederickwildman.com), Trois Petits Cochons (www.3pigs.com) and Globorati.com.