Sofitel, the prestige brand of Accor hotels is launching the latest additions to their signature World Wine Flights Program, The Grand Cuvée Wine Flight and Uncorked, a signature wine guide. These fabulous new wine tasting initiatives are offered at Sofitel's 10 North American properties as of May 2007.

The Grand Cuvée Wine Flight features three Grand Cuvée wines all from the same region. The initial launch will include wines from the famed Bordeaux region. Every three months Grand Cuvée wines from a new region will be introduced.

The first cuvée flight is available from April to June 2007, including:

• Chateau Beau-Site: This Crus Bourgeois Exceptional wine is produced in St. Estephe and is a full- to medium-bodied wine with aromas of ripe blackberries and fresh mushrooms. This wine is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon (55 percent), Merlot (35 percent), Cabernet Franc (6 percent) and Petite Verdot (4 percent).
• Chateau Hortevie: This is an elegant medium-bodied wine produced in St. Julien. It has aromas of black cherries and cassis fruit intermingled with hints of tea and Asian spices. This wine is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon (70 percent), Merlot (25 percent) and Petit Verdot (5 percent).
• Chateau LaPlagnotte Bellevue: This Grand Cru is a star wine from the famous vineyards of Saint-Émilion. It has an alluring, silky-texture with an aroma of red and black fruits intermixed with notes of earth, wood and truffles. This wine is made up of Merlot (70 percent), Cabernet Franc (27 percent) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3 percent).

A perfect companion to Sofitel's wine flight program is Uncorked, a wine appreciation guide that helps guests "uncork" the secrets of enjoying every glass to its fullest. The guides were created in partnership with Women & Wine www.WomenWine.com, a lifestyle company that creates memorable experiences for savvy women interested in wine, travel, good food and great getaways. Since its introduction in spring 2005, Women & Wine has become a recognized authority, and its leadership is frequently tapped as an expert on wine. Uncorked outlines the art of savoring wine in simple terms, and explains how to gain the most from wine from the first sip.

The guide explains wine terminology in an easy fashion and includes a brief description on grape varietals. The end of the booklet features a notes section in which readers can answer tasting questions and thus get an overall view of the wine. A firm understanding will be gained, and individuals will have a new appreciation for wine tasting. Guests and patrons of Sofitel can acquire a copy of the guide by visiting their favorite Sofitel restaurant and bar or by visiting www.sosofitel.com to download a copy.

Sofitel's World Flights Wine Flight program launched in December 2006 and offers a menu of approximately 33 fine wines, priced from $11-$21. Each flight is grouped under a specific heading such as "Winning Whites for Everyday Drinking" or "Cabernets from Three Continents." These programs are designed to demystify the wine tasting process and make it much less intimidating.

About Sofitel North America
Created in France in 1964, Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels with 200 upscale hotels in 53 countries, including 10 in North America. Sofitel hotels are ideally placed in business and leisure locations across North America, including Chicago Downtown, Chicago O'Hare, Minneapolis, Miami, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Sofitel: 200 premium hotels around the world
Because no one country or city is the same, Sofitel has made each of its 200 hotels around the world a truly unique establishment. Combining the spirit of each place with the values of modernity, refinement and absolute comfort, they are all imbued in their inimitable way with the French "art de vivre."

Whether their setting is a great business metropolis like Paris, New York or Tokyo, or nestling in the landscape in Indonesia, Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel hotel offers travelers a genuine haven of peace. So that each guest, for an overnight stay or longer, during a business trip or for a holiday, can enjoy the rich variety of these unique places in comfort and tranquility.