USA Rugby, Planet Bordeaux Partner to Boost Eagles' Path to World Cup

BOULDER, CO--(Marketwire - Jun 28, 2011) - It is the shared values of hard work, discipline, team spirit, commitment and conviviality that have propelled Planet Bordeaux and USA Rugby to set out together on a fundraising campaign supporting the Eagles through September 2011. As the Official French Wine Sponsor of the Eagles' Road to the World Cup, Planet Bordeaux will facilitate various events such as wine tastings and winemaker dinners. Planet Bordeaux will also a have presence at a number of USA Rugby matches, including the 2011 USA v. Canada test match on August 13, 2011.

While supporting USA Rugby, participants will discover the wide variety of high-quality, hand-made, yet affordable white (dry, sweet and sparkling), rosé, and red wines from the regional appellations of Bordeaux, the world's wine capital.

"Planet Bordeaux and the Eagles are both dedicated to excellence and contributing to the game of rugby beyond the field. The partnership will help to prepare the Eagles for their build up to the world's largest rugby stage in September," said USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations, Nigel Melville.

Sponsorship of the Eagles is a symbol of the international reach of rugby and the wines of Planet Bordeaux. The patronage is a natural extension of the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur Winemakers' Association's ongoing support of the French Federation of Rugby through the "Oscars of Rugby" awards dinners, in partnership with the French rugby magazine, Midi Olympique.

Another Franco-American rugby link is the electric American winger, Takudzwa Ngwenya, who plays professionally for Biarritz Olympique when not assembled with the Eagles. Biarritz is located just south of Bordeaux.

There is also a vibrant rugby community in Bordeaux itself with the extremely popular and highly ranked local team, Union Bordeaux Bègles. In addition, Bordeaux will host an international test match on August 13, 2011 as 4^th ranked Ireland take on hosts France, who are currently ranked 6^th in the world.

About Planet Bordeaux
Planet Bordeaux, the US marketing program of the Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs Winemakers' Association, represents all wines produced in the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur regional appellations. Planet Bordeaux's modern winemakers offer fresh new ways for people to rediscover and enjoy high quality, reasonably priced wines from the world's capital of wine, Bordeaux. For more information, please consult www.planet-bordeaux.com and www.usarugby.org.