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Moet & Chandon and the US Open Unite to Toast Tennis, Its Champions and Its Charity

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110819/NY55014)

Moet & Chandon's status as the ultimate symbol of success, achievement and victory was created through an unwavering presence at many of the world's most esteemed competitions and high-profile moments. Historically, Moet & Chandon has been at the finish line of international boating and car racing competitions for nearly a century, including the Vanderbilt Cup, Formula One, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the America's Cup. Moet & Chandon has also symbolized triumph atop the world's most revered podiums, including the Cannes International Film Festival, the Deauville Film Festival, the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards, as well as at notable philanthropic events, such as the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS annual gala. Moet & Chandon is proud to have been a part of the first Concorde flight and the Statue of Liberty relighting, among other extraordinary moments in history.

"Moet & Chandon's debut partnership with the US Open is truly the perfect match, as both brands share a passion for success and celebration," commented Daniel Lalonde, President and CEO of Moet & Chandon. "Through the magic of champagne, we look forward to creating unique and unforgettable experiences together with the USTA by toasting all the players and fans throughout the exciting competition."

Through this partnership, Moet & Chandon and the US Open will offer a variety of exclusive activities that allow fans to share in the tournament celebration. Experiences include:

    --  Cheers for the Champions: Moet & Chandon has partnered with USTA Serves,
        the USTA's philanthropic arm, to raise money throughout the tournament
        to support, monitor and promote programs that enhance the lives of
        at-risk children and individuals with disabilities through the
        integration of tennis and education.
        --  Facebook fans of Moet & Chandon and USTA are invited to enter a
            competition where each time their selected player wins a match, $1
            (USD) will be donated to USTA Serves.  They also receive a virtual
            "toast" and the chance to win tickets to the 2012 US Open.
        --  Cheers for the Champions will continue in the Moet & Chandon Luxury
            Suite. There, celebrity guests will autograph bespoke magnums of
            Moet & Chandon adorned with a crystallized 2011 US Open logo.  These
            autographed magnums will be auctioned to the public, with proceeds
            donated to USTA Serves.

    --  Moet & Chandon Opens Doors: To celebrate its inaugural partnership with
        the US Open, Moet & Chandon, has arranged for 10 of New York City's
        finest restaurants that plan to screen the US Open, the opportunity to
        enjoy Moet by the glass and the opportunity to enter, via iPhone, a
        contest to win two tickets to the US Open to watch it live.  And for
        those entertaining at home, fans can log onto Mymoet.com to order a
        limited edition crystallized US Open themed magnum to impress their
        guests.

In addition, Moet & Chandon will have a presence at some of the most sought-after US Open events such as toasting the new, official executive culinary team of the US Open Food Tasting, and honouring the recipients of this year's prestigious ICON Awards: a USTA Event.

The partnership with the US Open marks a strong commitment to the world of tennis. "Showcasing success is one of Moet & Chandon's original values, and one which clearly resonates in the sport of tennis. In addition to brilliant matches and wins on court, tennis offers red carpet moments that are new occasions to share the magic of champagne with the world," noted Daniel Lalonde. Over the years, Moet has been a strong partner of film awards and ceremonies around the world. Daniel Lalonde added, "Tennis will give us additional opportunities to share our passion for celebrations with the most prestigious events and greatest players in the spirit of success, glamour, grandeur and generosity."

Moet & Chandon History in Sports

For over a century, Moet & Chandon has embodied victory in a bottle. From the christening of new racing vessels with a shower of Moet & Chandon before it first sets sail, to celebrating winning moments, Moet & Chandon have gone hand-in-hand with the pomp and circumstance of premier sporting events. Celebrations and champagne have always been the perfect pairing - the first champagne spray, was conceived at the Le Mans auto race in 1966, when winning driver Jo Siffert shook a bottle of champagne and inadvertently sprayed the crowd. Subsequently, drinking directly from a bottle of champagne after a win became. Moet has continued to support luxury sporting events including the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America's Cup and the French Open.

About Moet & Chandon

As the world's leading champagne House, Moet & Chandon takes an innovative approach to sharing magic and celebration with the world. Since its founding days in 1743 by Claude Moet, the House has taken daring steps and created new celebratory traditions, including sabering, the champagne fountain and vessel christenings. Moet is often cited as the world's first international luxury brand, given Jean-Remy Moet's expansion to international markets from the late 1700s. With the largest vineyard holdings in the Champagne region, Moet creates the world's most-loved champagne from the very best grapes and terroir that the region has to offer. For more than two centuries the House has celebrated accomplishment and charismatic appeal with glamour, grandeur and generosity. Renowned for achievements, firsts and a pioneering spirit, the House celebrates life's most triumphant moments with elegance and extraversion. From Napoleon's conquests and iconic royal weddings to the Oscars and Golden Globes of Hollywood and the red carpets of international film festivals, Moet & Chandon is the champagne of choice. Like the House's celebrity ambassadors and connoisseurs, with their outgoing personalities and effervescent charisma, Moet evokes grandeur and generosity as it dazzles and fascinates. The House's big, bold heritage and larger-than-life events reflect a deep commitment to sharing with the community, long-term responsibility to nature and bringing people together with warm hospitality.

About the USTA

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and through tennis, helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics and strive for excellence. For more information on the USTA, log on to http://www.usta.com.

    For more information, please contact:

    Jenn DeMartino                           Paige Pedersen
    DKC                                      Moet & Chandon
    212-981-5226                             212-251-8405
    Jenn_Demartino@dkcnews.com               Paige.Pedersen@mhusa.com

SOURCE Moet & Chandon