Morton’s Serves Up All-New Wine and Spirits Selections And Unveils National Sommelier Team

FLORIDA (May 12, 2011)Morton’s The Steakhouse is raising the bar on its wine and spirits program by unveiling a range of new drink selections that include a variety of boutique and hard-to-find wines at great values. Wine savvy value seekers, beer enthusiasts and sports fans alike can round out their meals with Morton’s new featured drinks and wines, available at each of Morton’s domestic locations as follows:

For the Sports Fan: Recently, Morton’s was announced as “The Official Steakhouse of The PGA TOUR.” To celebrate Morton’s entry into golf, a new “Above Par” wine menu was created that features world-class wines chosen for their revered quality and high ratings. The new selections include the first vintage wine from Jack Nicklaus’ reserve line, a 2008 Jack Nicklaus Private Reserve (Napa), as well as an Ernie Els Bordeaux Blend (Stellenbosch, South Africa) and Greg Norman Shiraz Reserve (Adelaide, Australia) — two wines that have consistently received 90+ point Wine Spectator ratings over the past 10 years. Morton’s has also created a signature Double Cross Mortini, garnished with a Chilean baby pear skewered on a golf tee, with $1 of every Mortini donated to Birdies for the Brave, a non-profit organization that supports military home front groups that provide critical programs and services for wounded warriors and military families.

For the Beer Connoisseur: Beer enthusiasts can experience affordable luxury with vintage beers and ultra premium crafts, trappists and lambics, including Lindemans Raspberry Lambic (Belgium), Fuller’s 2010 Vintage Ale (England) and Paulaner Hefe Wiezen (Germany). The menu also features an Orval Trappist Ale (Belgium), considered by many to be one of the world’s finest beers. Beer aficionados will find these to be the perfect pairing for many of Morton’s steaks and dessert menu options.

For the Discerning Wine Aficionado: Morton’s has expanded and reinvigorated its Wine by the Glass menu with new value driven, rare vintages and sweet wines. Wine savvy guests can now enjoy the most incredible premium wine selections at astonishing values with the best valued wines on the menu – Morton’s Rare Red and Well Done White categories. These are world-class wines – including Mollydooker and others – that Morton’s took a position on for the entire vintage and are passing the value along to their guests. Guests can also experience fine wines only available at Morton’s restaurants in the U.S. – the Morton’s “Rare Gems” include Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain 2005) and Freemark Abbey Cabernet (Napa 2002). St. Supery Moscato (Napa 2009) is also an amazing new addition to the wine menu for those who are looking to pair something a little sweeter with their main course or as an after dinner drink.

“With our new wine and spirits selections, we’re able to provide even more options for guests, whether they’re looking for a vintage beer or an incredible fine wine that you can’t find anywhere else,” said Vice President of Wine & Spirits Tylor Field, III. “Guests can also enjoy an exciting new Morton’s cocktail while giving back to a worthwhile charity.”

Also launched in March 2011 and headed by Vice President of Wine & Spirits Tylor Field, III and Certified Sommelier Sara Fasolino, Morton’s is proud to introduce its first ever national Sommelier Team. It is comprised of 12 handpicked Morton’s Sommelier’s who are passionate and highly knowledgeable sommeliers from within the company and are committed to enhancing the guest experience, training and local and national marketing initiatives. The Sommelier Team allows Morton’s increased flexibility to promote the brand’s ever expanding beverage initiatives, which are based in “edutainment” for their guests.

Morton’s The Steakhouse South Florida restaurants are located at:

-Fort Lauderdale
500 East Broward Blvd.
954-467-9720

-Boca Raton
5050 Town Center Circle
561-392-7724

-West Palm Beach
777 South Flagler Drive
561-835-9664

-Orlando
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
407-248-3485

-Jacksonville
1510 Riverplace Blvd.
904-399-3933

About Morton’s Wine & Spirits Program
Morton’s Wine & Spirits program consists of ongoing events and initiatives designed to provide guests with incredible wine experiences at each of Morton’s worldwide locations. The program is led by Vice President of Wine & Spirits Tylor Field, III and Certified Sommelier Sara Fasolino, with training support from Morton’s Sommelier Team – a group of 12 handpicked wine and spirits experts who have passed the first level test of the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ongoing 2011 initiatives include Morton’s Bar 12•21 with its value-priced menu of Bar Bites and Power Hour in select locations, Celebrity Server events with top PGA TOUR golfers as part of Morton’s new PGA TOUR sponsorship and Prime Events at Morton’s — a series of special events and cooking demonstrations that includes Scotch tastings, wine blending receptions and Morton’s Master Classes.

About Morton’s
Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. is the world’s largest operator of company owned upscale steakhouses. Morton’s steakhouses have remained true to its founders’ original vision of combining generous portions of high quality food prepared to exacting standards with exceptional service in an enjoyable dining environment.

The Company owns and operates 77 Morton’s steakhouses located in 64 cities in 26 states, and in Puerto Rico and six international locations (Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Mexico City), as well as Trevi, a Las Vegas Italian restaurant.