RUTHERFORD, Calif.--May 11, 2000--Andrew Carmellini of Cafe Boulud in New York was named Champagne Perrier-Jouet's Rising Star Chef of the Year at the Tenth Annual James Beard Foundation Awards in New York last night. Philippe Roederer, U.S. Vice President, Champagne Perrier-Jouet, presented Chef Carmellini with a bronze medallion etched with the image of James Beard and an etched bronze magnum of Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne, 1990.

Culinary professionals nationwide, including chefs, authors and media, selected Carmellini by secret ballot. Nominees included: Eric Aubriot, Restaurant Aubriot, Chicago; Wylie Dufresne, 71 Clinton Fresh Food, New York; Jeremy Sewall, Lark Creek Inn, Larkspur, CA; and Sandro Gamba, Lespinasse, New York.

This award recognizes a chef, age 30 or younger, who displays an impressive talent and is likely to significantly impact the future.

Previous recipients include Michael Mina, Aqua, San Francisco; Douglas Rodriguez, Patria, New York City; Traci Des Jardins, Rubicon, San Francisco; Sarah Stegner, The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago; Bobby Flay, Mesa Grill, New York City; and Keith Luce, Spruce Restaurant, Chicago.

"We are very proud to associate our finest champagne with Chef Carmellini at what we know is just the beginning of a stellar culinary career,'' said Roederer. Champagne Perrier-Jouet has been a James Beard Foundation Awards sponsor since its 1990 inception.

Champagne Perrier-Jouet is considered to be some of the world's finest champagne. Founded in Epernay, France in 1811, the House of Perrier-Jouet is distinguished by Fleur de Champagne, a single vintage, in the famous "flower bottle.'' The 1990 vintage was recently released to the U.S.; suggested retail price is $85.

The James Beard Foundation Awards are part of two weeks of activities that celebrate the birth of the father of American gastronomy. More than 60 awards are given to chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, journalists, broadcasters and restaurant designers. Based in New York City, the not-for-profit charitable organization is dedicated to furthering the practice and appreciation of America's culinary arts.

Champagne Perrier-Jouet is imported by the Seagram Chateau & Estate Wines Company, a division of Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., with principal offices in San Mateo and Napa Valley, California and New York City, which also produces and markets the wines of Sterling Vineyards, Tessera, The Monterey Vineyard and the sparkling wines of Mumm Cuvee Napa. The company is the exclusive U.S. importer of G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouet Champagnes, Barton & Guestier wines, Brancott Vineyards from New Zealand and Sandeman Ports and Sherries; and is the largest importer of classified Bordeaux in the United States. The portfolio is completed by Dominus in the Napa Valley, a collection of Burgundy estate-bottled wines, F.E. Trimbach wines from Alsace, Castello d'Albola in Chianti, and several other European wines and spirits. Visit Champagne Perrier-Jouet at www.perrier-jouet.com.