NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 12/12/12 -- The wait is over! After months of searching, the Albariño Explorers Club (AEC) is pleased to announce the winner of its video contest and introduce the 2013 Albariño Explorers Club Ambassador -- Mr. Brian Freedman. The Albariño Explorers Club is an interactive, online community where consumers can learn about the pleasures of Albariño -- the crisp, delicious, minerally white wine from the Rías Baixas region on Spain's northwest Atlantic coast.

Captured on video, contest entrants from across the U.S. shared their knowledge and love of wine as well as their creativity, expressing why they should be selected as the Albariño Ambassador. In 2013, the Ambassador will travel to several U.S. cities, spreading the joys of Rías Baixas Albariño through a series of consumer tastings, restaurant and retail staff trainings, happy hours and more.

Finalists and the ultimate winner were selected by a panel of judges that included Mike Colameco, chef, author and host of PBS TV's "Real Food with Mike Colameco," Katrin Naelapaa, Director of Wines from Spain, the AEC Executive Committee, and Pablo Pulpo, the Albariño octopus and AEC mascot. Freedman received top prize for his entertaining "How Far Would I Go for an Albariño" video, winning over the judges with his wine knowledge, creativity, and thirst for Albariño adventure.

Freedman is a Philadelphia-based food, wine, spirits and travel writer, restaurant consultant and speaker. His work can be seen in print, Wine Enthusiast and John Mariani's Virtual Gourmet, on TV, Good Day Philadelphia and San Francisco's View from the Bay, on the radio, Martha Stewart Living Radio.

Upon learning that he had won the contest, Freedman commented, "It is such an honor to be chosen as the AEC Ambassador. For me, Spain is a country I always look to for quality wines to write about or put on restaurant wine lists, and Rías Baixas Albariño is my go-to white wine from Spain. I love the flavor profile, its ability to pair with a range of cuisines and dishes, and its fun, lively nature. I'm looking forward to sharing my knowledge and love for this wine with wine drinkers across the U.S."

Before embarking on his ambassadorship, Freedman will travel to Rías Baixas, Spain, to gather firsthand knowledge about the wines and the region. Beginning in early spring 2013, Albariño fans can follow his adventures on the AEC blog, (www.albarinoexplorersclub.com/blog), Rías Baixas Wines Facebook page (www.facebook.com/rbwines) and Twitter (@RiasBaixasWines).

To view all the AEC Ambassador video contest submissions, visit the Albariño Explorers Club website at www.albarinoexplorersclub.com/ambassadorcontest/videos.

For more information about Brian Freedman, visit onthefrontvines.wordpress.com.

Media can contact Lisa Mendelson at lmendelson@cornerstonepr.com or 212-605-0370, with queries on the contest, Rías Baixas Wines program or the Albariño Explorers Club.

About Rías Baixas Albariño

Formed in 1988, the Rías Baixas DO is the leading Denomination of Origin in the Galician region of northwestern Spain. The DO owes much of its acclaim to the white Albariño grape, elevated by many in Spain to cult status, a trend that has spread to the U.S. in recent years. For more information, please visit www.riasbaixaswines.com.

About Wines from Spain

Wines from Spain, a promotional division of the Trade Commission of Spain in New York City, under the auspices of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), is committed to promoting the awareness of Spanish wines and spirits throughout the United States, through education, informational materials, special events and promotions. For further information on specific wine regions and producers, please visit www.winesfromspainusa.com.