Mumbai, India Grover Zampa Vineyards, the most prestigious and longest-standing wine producer of India, held a party to celebrate its remarkable journey of 25 years of wine making topped off with the launch of Auriga - India’s first ever sparkling wine with eye-catching, 24 carat gold flakes. This new gold edition makes the perfect drink for ceremonial moments, mainly created for those who appreciate an extravagant addition to indulgence and celebration. This gently aged wine with an extravagant dusting of gold embodies craftsmanship and finesse. With its golden straw hues, the wine has a fresh nose revealing citrus and floral aromas. The palate is intense with a pleasant sensation of fruit and creaminess. A journey which began in the late 80s, Grover Zampa launched their first vintage in 1992. Today the company is a pioneer in the Indian wine industry and has established a significant presence on the global wine scene. A remarkable combination formed as a result of a merger between Grover Vineyards and Vallée de Vin, Grover Zampa Vineyards is also India’s most awarded wine producer. It has won 93 international grand awards since 2013 including the Decanter Awards, Decanter Asia Wine Awards and the New York International Wine and Spirits Competition. Riding on the back of their award spree, the brand has made steady inroads into the export market and currently exports about 20% of its volume to more than 30 countries, with top markets being France, Japan and UK. Key milestones that have made the brand as magnificent as it stands today include: - The launch of India’s first reserve wine Grover Zampa La Réserve in 1998 - Working with noted Bordeaux-based oenologist Michel Rolland from 1995 - The launch of Chêne, India’s first Tempranillo Grand Réserve in 2013 - The introduction of the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection in 2014 in partnership with the legend himself - The recent launch of Insignia, single vineyard and estate bottled, this is one of India’s most premium wines sold only by invitation through the cellar door. Mr Kapil Grover, Chairman, Grover Zampa Vineyards proudly states “For most, journey is about traveling from one place to another. For us, it is about reaching a higher ground as we grow. It has been 25 years since we produced our first wine in 1992, a dream envisioned by my father. Today, we boast the most impressive pedigree in the Indian wine industry. This year, in keeping with our traditions of excellence and innovation, we have taken it a notch higher: we proudly present to you Auriga. With this launch, we have added more breadth to our portfolio with a wine that provides the perfect accompaniment for life’s ceremonial moments.” From humble beginnings, Grover Zampa Vineyards now stands for heritage, rich culture and exceptional craftsmanship as well as wines that have been created with great passion and reverence for tradition. (Excerpt from a press release)
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Mumbai, India
Coravin, the innovative and ground- breaking wine access and pouring system that has already transformed the way the world enjoys wine across 50 markets is now in India . It was launched by Aman Dhall of Brindco with an inaugural presentation by Sonal Holland MW over an interactive master-class tasting of fine wines, at The Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai. The Coravin System is a wine access tool that allows the desired quantity of any wine, from any bottle to be poured and enjoyed by the gla ss, without uncorking. By preserving the wine with the patented Coravin technology, the remaining wine is kept unspoiled and in pristine condition. Coravin uses a medical grade needle that punctures through the natural cork of a bottle. Argon, a harmless inert gas used regularly by winemakers, is then pumped through the needle, creating pressure within the bottle that pushes wine out through the needle. When the desired amount is poured, the needle is withdrawn and argon is left in place to prevent oxidation. The cork reseals itself naturally and the wine does not aerate, meaning any amount of the wine can be tasted at any point and the last glass will taste just as good as the first. Greg Lambrecht, Inventor and founder- developed and tested his concept for 14 years before he founded and launched Coravin in 2013. With a background in physics and nuclear power, a career in medical engineering and a passion for wine, Greg combined his expertise in innovative technology and love of wine to create a product that has made a major impact on the wine industry. Greg comments “Today, the Coravin Wine System can be enjoyed in numerous different settings, with restaurants and bars embracing the technology that allows wine-by-the-glass programs to expand without fear of wasted win e. Diners and wine drinkers can also enjoy a wider selection of premium wines and can pair multiple bottles with their meal, instead of committing to just one bottle.” Coravin is available in Indian and the range starts at Rs 21624 (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India Wine enthusiasts of the city have a reason to rejoice as The Leela Mumbai gets the Great Indian Wine Buffet at Citrus. This All – You – Can Drink Wine Buffet will feature over thirty Indian wine labels at a very special price of Rs 1090 ++ per person. On display will be a selection of some of the finest Indian wines from esteemed wineries like Grovers, York, Turning Point, Fratelli, Reveilo and Zampa. If you fancy red wine, take your pick from blends or single varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc , Merlot and the more obscure Sangiovese and Nero D Avola. White wine lovers can choose from Viognier, Sangiovese Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grillo and more. The promotion goes on till 30th September 2017 and is available 7 pm onward. ( Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India Sula is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Pringle as the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. In his capacity as the COO of India’s leading wine company and fastest growing alcobev company, Nick will work closely with Rajeev Samant, Founder and CEO, Sula Vineyards, while overlooking the company’s strategy and operations. Rajeev Samant commented, “I am delighted that Nick Pringle is joining Sula as COO. Nick brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Accolade Wines and AB InBev and is the right person to help steer Sula Vineyards, one of Asia’s fastest growing wine and alcobev companies, to even greater heights!” Nick has over 20 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. He has worked extensively in international markets to create a significant category across emerging markets for wine and spirits consumption and he strongly believes that numerous opportunities lie in the Indian alcobev industry.Nick Pringle stated, “India is a very young and dynamic market. It has immense potential to grow in the wine sector and the enthusiasm, with great people that Sula possesses is infectious! Despite barriers, Sula entered the wine industry here in India and carved a niche for itself as both, the best and leading wine company. Sula recognized the changing industry trends and launched Sula Selections and Artisan Spirits to diversify itself, becoming a genuine front runner in the industry. I am proud to be associated with a brand that has turned things around for the industry altogether and look forward to creating more milestones for us to achieve together.” Prior to this, Nick worked at AB InBev for 12 years. He later joined Constellation to assume a variety of roles and eventually joined Accolade Wines to strengthen Hardys globally in 2011. At Accolade Wines, Nick was in charge of emerging markets and responsible for travel retail relationships across regions spanning Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America, Asia Sub- Continent and Southern Europe. Key markets for growth from his regions were Central and South America, Africa and India, which became a passion for him, while in India an increasing number of consumers were experimenting and progressing from beer and spirits to the wine category, during this time he was working in partnership with Sula. In 2016, Nick was appointed as Head of Accolade Wines for China, a significantly growing market for the company, before being given this amazing opportunity with Sula. Before working in the wine and spirits industry, Nick was a professional cricketer and played for his home county - Somerset, from 1986 to 1991. Now he loves to see his son, Mathew play cricket and enjoys playing with him too. A thorough sportsman, he also used to play rugby and he loves watching football. Nick is a fitness enthusiast and also takes keen interest in music and travelling. (Excerpt from a press release) Having successfully ventured into premium grape brandies with JANUS and J in 2016 Sula Vineyards takes a step further into the world of spirits as they launch their first whisky – Eclipse. Cognac cask aged Eclipse embodies the exceptional French spirit making heritage and the expertise of Sula in selecting the best Indian grapes. Premium quality peated Scotch and then of course premium grains goes in to the produce of this all new whisky too. Eclipse from the House of Sula, is made with a touch of grape spirit which is double distilled using a traditional French distillation process. The liquor is aged in ‘Limousine Oak Cask’ under the supervision of Sula’s Master Blender Yogesh Mathur. The result is a whisky of exceptional smoothness with character of dried fruit, spices and vanilla. Yogesh Mathur, Master Blender, Artisan Spirits Pvt. Ltd said, "It has been a meticulous task but was worth all the efforts! Our blending team has worked together to create a blend which gives a sweetness and ease on the palate accompanied by a fruity and smoky smooth finish that is traditional yet modern at the same time” Eclips is priced at INR 1395 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, INR 1250 in Delhi and INR 790 in Pondicherry. In Goa, Daman and Silvassa, Eclipse retails at INR 750 and is available across leading outlets. (Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India Aspri Spirits, India’s leading wine and spirit importers launched the most acclaimed and awarded Speyside Single Malt Glen Grant 10 Y and Glen Grant 18 Y with an exclusive evening in Mumbai. The evening commenced with an exclusive masterclass by Mr. Robin Coupar, Global Brand Ambassador Gruppo Campari followed by a sit down tasting session of the 10 Year old and 18 Year old Glen Grant. For the last five years, the 10 Year Old has won the ‘Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky: 10 Years and Younger’ category award in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. In addition to this, in 2016 the 10 Year Old also took home the guide’s top honour for single malts by winning overall Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks). And the 18 year old was the award winner of “Scotch Whisky of the Year 2017”, “Single Malt of the Year 2017” and “Best Single Malt Aged 16-21 Year 2017” by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017. Indian speyside lovers now have another go to and this time a much coveted one for their spey collection. Slainte! Nashik, India The country’s most gorgeously situated Gourmet World Music Festival went several notches higher in its 10th edition! The event saw festival goers from across the country at a weekend to remember and this year was an even grander production with even more amazing memories. The festival this year being a 3 day affair – adding Friday dedicated to Indian artists had also added one more stage – The ‘Tropical Stage’. Friday’s highlights were Nucleya at the Atmasphere Stage and Indian Ocean at the Amphitheatre Stage. Sula’s all new musician talent hunt competition “Rise and Shine” contest winner performed to a thrilled audience at the Tropical Stage.The Bloc Party from the UK made their India debut and rocked the Amphitheatre stage on Day 2, Saturday – while Loco & Jam from Germany performed to a haven of fest-goers at the Atmasphere Stage. The Tropical Stage highlight this day was Peter Schumann’s performance. Amphitheatre Sunday headliner – Infected Mushroom from Israel set the stage on fire! German Jan Blomqvist & Band created magic at the Atmasphere Stage located amidst the vineyards. Another new addition to the festival this year was the ‘Globe in a Glass’ stall where fest-goers had the opportunity to meet and taste with the people behind various brands from the Sula Selections portfolio. The renowned wine profile Robert Joseph was attending the festival for the first time showcasing his brand Le Grand Noir. Brightening up the weekend even further was the SulaFest Bazaar with a selection of fun and funky items for sales. Speaking about SulaFest 2017, Cecilia Oldne, Global Brand Ambassador and Vice President - Marketing, Sula says, “Cheers to 10 years! What a beautiful weekend and what an amazing crowd! See you all next year!” Furmint one of the most important grape varieties in Hungary would finally be celebrated on 1st February. For a long time, it has been connected almost exclusively to Tokaj wine region, but due to the increasing attention in the last decade; there are vineyards planted with it all over Hungary. It is the first year in 2017 that the International Furmint Day would be celebrated. It is a late ripening variety; that is the reason it gives usually a medium or full-bodied wine. At the first sight it seems a pity disadvantage that it is vulnerable for certain fungal diseases, however, Botrytis cinerea, the well-known fungus attacking the ripen grape is univocally essential for making Tokaji Szamorodni and Tokaji Aszú, the two iconic sweet wine types of this region. Wines of Furmint are not considered to be aromatic with significant fragrance; therefore, it can reflect the terroir very well just like Chardonnay does, including the growing area as well as the viticulture and winemaking philosophy. Vivid acids are also very characteristic to this variety; they give elegance to the wine and provide excellent capability for longer maturation. Furmint was common all over the country pre-phylloxera era but From the 20th century its plantations were found almost exclusively in two wine regions, Somló north of lake Balaton, and Tokaj, in north eastern Hungary. Furmint has been widely popular with wine lovers in Hungary mainly due to dry Furmint wines. Furmint from Úrágya vineyard of Királyudvar Winery, made by István Szepsy and Zoltán Demeter in 2000, initiated a revolutionary change in the wine region. Internationally the sweet wines have a bigger reputation. Furmint February, a thematic month programme organized for the 8th time in a row this year in Hungary aims to highlight this premium quality. Dániel Kézdy, host of the programme series and author of the book People and vineyards published on the wine region decided to step up to the international podium by announcing 1st February as the International Furmint Day from 2017. The mission of the first International Furmint Day is to highlight this exciting and likeable variety for wine lovers all over the world. Make sure you taste some Furmint on 1st of February and hashtag #furmintday. Mumbai, India Aspri Spirits, a leading player in the international wines and spirits business in India recently hosted an Amarula evening with Mr. Kay Pillay, DISTELL-MD Asia Pacific and Middle East . It saw gallons of Amarula being enjoyed neat or in cocktails like the Amarula Peaches & Cream, Amarula Chocolate Orange Cookie, Amarula Espresso, and Fiery Dusk Amarula is a cream liqueur flavoured with the Marula fruit which is indigenous to Africa and grows in the wild. And as the past and the present has it even the pachyderms like to get intoxicated on a fermenting marula . Have you tried the Amarula yet! Mumbai, India Aspri Spirits, a leading player in the international wines and spirits business in India, hosted a Zonin Black Straw Party with the 7th Generation Owner of ZONIN 1821, Mr. Francesco Zonin. Zonin1821 is one of the most respected wine companies in Italy and also in the world of wines. The company today has over 2,000 hectares, under vine cultivation, supervised by a team of 32 oenologists and agronomists. These make up 9 Estates situated in Italy’s 7 finest wine regions, as well as vine yards located in Barbourville in Virginia USA. The Zonin family has been making wine since 1821 and currently operates Italy's largest privately owned vineyard and winemaking complex. The evening saw the who’s who from the glamour and hospitality industry indulging in cocktails created using the iconic Zonin Prosecco. Mr. Francesco Zonin shared his life journey of being a part of a fine wine brand, Zonin with the patrons.
The privileged guests present at the party were seen enjoying the Piccolo, Zonin Pinot Grigio, Zonin Soave, Masseria Altemura Apulo Rosso Salento IGT and Zonin Amarone Valpolicella. The highlight of the evening was Zonin Piccolo, the 200ml Prosecco bottles which people were seen enjoying with a Black Straw. ( Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India LOUIS XIII, the luxury cognac brand has pioneered their first experience centre in the world, at the luxurious SKP mall in Beijing. Two complementary spaces a Salon and a Boutique with the LOUIS XIII Salon serving as a gateway into the boutique. RDAI’s design concept for the boutique reveals the notion of concentration and invites clients on a passage through time. It starts with the Grande Champagne terroir, the nucleus of the Cognac region that produces the eaux-de-vie that will mature into LOUIS XIII, to create an intense wave of aromas and flavours. From the chalky soil to the vine, the hand of the cellar master and the ancient oak casks, the singularity of LOUIS XIII is expressed in each material and facet. The closer you come to the heart of the boutique, the more luxurious the environment gets culminating in a private Eternity Room, reserved for previews of exclusive limited editions and intimate conversations with visiting luminaries from all corners of the world. The LOUIS XIII Boutique exposes a skilful mix of luxury and elegance, design, digital technology and customised lighting, therefore appealing to all senses. It showcases materials and colours that tell the LOUIS XIII story – limestone evoking the precious chalky terroir, copper recalling the eaux-de-vie stills, oak invoking the ancient casks, glass and crystal for the decanters.
The space invites clients to take time out to savour and discover this iconic cognac. Among the LOUIS XIII offer that clients can experience will be tasting opportunities and food pairings as well as special editions and unique LOUIS XIII products sold exclusively at the Beijing SKP LOUIS XIII boutique. (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India Sula Vineyards and its import arm Sula Selections with world renowned producers from around the world hosted a industry pioneering event at Sofitel Mumbai BKC with 40 different wines and 20 spirits – all under one roof! Leading wine and spirit producers from different corners of the world joined hands with Sula for a day long tasting, socializing and musical soiree at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The event extended to its guests the opportunity to sample wines, whisky, liquor, tequila, brandy and more – and also meet the people behind the brands. The hotel saw people from different industries, diplomats, industry leaders and even socialites coming over to learn more about the world of wines and spirits. Wine and spirits showcased were Mud House from New Zealand, Hardys Australia, Trapiche Argentina, Cono Sur Chile, Kumala South Africa, Antica Sambuca, Remy Martin Cognac, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Ruffino Italy, Cointreau France, Don Alejandro Tequila Mexico, Drambuie France, Mount Gay Rum Barbados, St Remy Brandy, Volare Italy, Pitu Cachaca Brazil, Bouchard Aine & Fils France, William Grant & Sons (Hendrick’s Gin, Grant’s, Glenfiddich, Monkey Shoulder) and Le Grand Noir France. Representing their brands were Robert Joseph, celebrated Wine Connoisseur and Winemaker of Le Grand Noir, an award-winning French wine; Nick Pringle, Commercial Director, Accolade Wines; Emma Hammonds, Regional Director, Asia, Constellation Brands; Ann-Marie Battista, Regional Manager, AMESCA, Accolade Wines for Hardys; Nick Rees, Marketing Manager, Remy Cointreau; Vitoria Cavalcanti, Third Generation Owner, Pitú; Jon Tracey, Export Manager, Boisset UK/Ireland, Bouchard Aine & Fils and Matias Gerardo Amstutz, Corporate Business Manager India, Middle East and Oceania, from Trapiche. More power to you , Rajeev Samant! (Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India Aspri Spirits has launched Patrón XO Cafe Incendio an intense, fiery hot chile chocolate liqueur handcrafted with the same attention to quality as ultra-premium Patrón tequilas and Patrón XO Cafe coffee liqueurs. Patrón XO Cafe Incendio combines the spicy, distinctive flavor of Mexican arbol chile with the rich, decadent essence of Criollo chocolate, brought together with the crisp, smooth taste of Patrón Silver tequila. It is best served either chilled over ice, or used to add a spicy kick to your cocktails. It is available in 750ml size and packaged in the eye-catching handmade Patrón XO Cafe glass bottle, a frosted version of the iconic cork-closed Patrón tequila bottle. The red, yellow and black label features imagery evocative of smoke and fire. Price: Mumbai : INR – Rs 7495 ( Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India In a unique setting of events, Absolut, the world’s most iconic vodka today launched its globally acclaimed Absolut Colors in India. True to its legacy of launching pioneering and creatively different renditions of its traditional packaging, the limited edition Absolut Colors has been dressed in the Colors of the famous pride flag made in 1977 as a message of solidarity, love and respect for diversity. For a brand which resonates creative collaboration and promotes art and creativity, artists from India’s LGBT community came together to creatively represent the expressions associated with each of the six Colours of the pride flag. In line with this, the event showcased a multimedia exhibit with a premiere of a film, a book reading, display of selected artworks by artists addressing queer issues, and a stand-up comedy. Excited about the launch of the iconic Absolut Colors, Sumeet Lamba, executive director, Pernod Ricard india said, “Absolut has always supported elevation of creativity and self-expression and encouraged people to be who they are. Through collaboration with various artists, Absolut celebrates creativity and diversity which go hand in hand. The launch of Absolut Colors today is a testament to this belief and we are extremely proud of it”.
Each color on the new Absolut Colors bottle stands for an expression which was also brought alive at the launch event by the six artists – Parmesh Shahani, Jeff Toy, Aunsha Yadav, Sanaya Ardeshir, Sharmistha Ray and Anuvab Pal. While the color red denotes ‘life and sexuality’, orange is symbolic of ‘healing and friendship’; the color yellow on the bottle stands for ‘vitality and energy’ and green depicts ‘serenity and nature’. The expressions of ‘harmony and artistry’ have been symbolized through the color blue and purple stands for ‘spirit and gratitude’. Absolut Colors is priced the same as Absolut flavors in India and has now hit shelves in Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana, Goa and Karnataka. ( Excerpt from a Press Release) Mumbai, India Sula Selections the import arm of Sula vineyards and the renowned wine clan, Hardys, are all set to, together, announce the launch of the William Hardy wine range in India, the Limestone Coast Chardonnay and the Langhorne Creek Shiraz. For over 160 years, the Hardy family has been known for its expertise in winemaking world over. Pioneered in the family by William Hardy’s great grandfather, Thomas Hardy, throughout five generations and to this day, the Hardy family has maintained their passion as William remains actively involved in the business. William Hardy beamed, “The Hardys name is synonymous with South Australian winemaking, dating back to 1853, and we wanted this new range to recognise and celebrate the pivotal role the family has played in developing the premium wine regions of the state”. On the occasion of the launch, Glenn McGrath, Australia’s celebrated cricketer and brand ambassador of Hardys Wines will tour India and launch the wines across Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. The Limestone Coast Chardonnay and the Langhorne Creek Shiraz are priced in Maharashtra for Rs 2300 each for a 750 ml bottle. Mumbai,India There are luxury spirits and there is Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac. At Rs 2 lakh something a bottle to buy in retail and some eye-popping price for a shot at a star hotel, certainly; not everyone is invited. After a futuristic ‘100 Years –The movie you will never see’ initiative which saw the Robert Rodriguez movie made to be released 100 years later in November 2115 , Louis XIII now has gone back to relive the past and unveiled L’ODYSSÉE D’UN ROI, a unique collaboration inspired by the first shipments of LOUIS XIII in the late 1870s. Louis XIII a blend of over 1200 eau de vies aged between 40-100 years comes in a Baccarat crystal decanter which takes 11 men to craft and this epitome of luxury was first created in 1874. It was a hit with the royalty and India had its first bottle in 1881, had to be one of the Queen’s ‘henchmen’ or one of the princely states , we can only speculate given the fact that company doesn’t disclose client details. From then till now, to commemorate this monumental journey, LOUIS XIII has chosen as its traveling companions three French luxury houses that share its passion for rare craftsmanship and unbroken tradition: Hermès, Puiforcat and Saint-Louis. They have contributed their own centuries-old savoir-faire to the creation of a series of three unique objets d’art. Trunk by Hermes, a white gold pipette by silversmith Puiforcat , a mouth blown decanter by royal cristallerie Saint Louis and of course liquid gold by Louis XIII. Sotheby’s will auction each masterpiece in New York (September 2016), Hong-Kong (October 2016) and London (November 2016), with proceeds benefiting The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Martin Scorsese and several other leading filmmakers to preserve and restore classic films, ensuring their survival for future generations.
India has its own fan following of the Louis XIII and also for the more elusive Black Pearl which is pegged close to Rs 14 lakhs a bottle. We will have to wait and watch to see if an Indian lays hand on L’ODYSSÉE D’UN ROI at one of the auctions! Mumbai, India
Sula Vineyards, India’s #1 wine company and largest wine producer is all set to bring an exciting range of new experiences and benefits with Club Sula, India’s most rewarding wine club where members can avail and experience an array of offerings they have in store for them. As part of this initiative, Sula Vineyards endeavors to engage with its consumers by giving them an insider experience like no other. Short of owning the vineyards itself, the experience will provide members of Club Sula with everything that is ‘exquisite’ and ‘fun’! The Indian wine giant has exclusively crafted a list of benefits for Club Sula members that range from wine education and master classes with the world’s best winemakers to picnics at the vineyards and customized events for couples and families. Distinctively curated dinners at the finest restaurants also add to the various benefits that Club Sula has to offer among many others. Call +91 7718858984, +91 82912 79703 or email on clubsula@sulawines.com to register Membership Highlights
(Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India India’s premium wine maker Grover Zampa Vineyards unveiled the new look of its signature wine La Réserve at an event held at J W Marriott, Sahar. The evening offered the attendees a unique pairing of award winning wines ‘La Reserve’ and delectable barbequed delicacies. The first vintage of La Réserve released in 1998, was a brainchild of Grover Zampa Vineyards and world’s finest œnologue, Michel Rolland. The new look of the brand represents the age old tradition and reverence, international standards of quality, finesse, sophistication, elegance and maturity. The majestic Indian wine La Réserve is widely regarded as the best Réserve in India is greatly enjoyed by epicureans in the most exclusive and prestigious restaurants in over 20 countries. La Réserve has not only won the hearts of patrons across but received many honors across platforms including Bronze & Silver medals at Decanter awards, Bronze medal at New York World Wine & Spirits competition etc. La Réserve was also the first India Wine to have made to it to the table of a 3 Michelin-star restaurant, the wine was selected in the menu by L’Arpège in Paris, one of the most esteemed restaurants in the world.
Speaking about the launch of this unique experience Mr. Sumedh Mandla, CEO, Grover Zampa Vineyards said, “Over the last 18 years La Reserve has charmed the world with its class and elegance. The change comes as a part of our strategy to stay relevant to the changing times and evolving consumer behavior. We also introduced a unique concept - La Réserve Barbeques today, to provide an experience to wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts while making them discover the pleasure of pairing the La Réserve range with barbeque delicacies.” (Excerpt from a press release) New Delhi, India
Wine Australia, in partnership with Austrade, the Australian High Commission and FINE Wine & Champagne hosted ‘A Century of Australian Wine Heritage’ on Friday, 22 January. Held at High Commissioner Patrick Suckling’s residence, the intimate tasting was presented by Wine Australia Chair Brian Walsh, who introduced guests to Australia’s fine wine heritage through a tasting line up of wines spanning vintages from the last hundred years. Arjun Sharma, Chairman of Select Group India, a highly regarded hospitality, retail and tourism group, said of the event, ‘It was a privilege to attend this spectacular wine tasting. I learnt about the legacy of ancient and premium wines that Australia has to offer.I will definitely put Australia in my travel plans to discover their fine wines and to explore business opportunities.’ Mr Walsh said that while the Indian export market was currently small, it demonstrates potential for strong growth in the future. ‘We need to keep engaging with markets like India where the potential for increased wine demand is strong. Now is the time to cement Australia’s reputation as a producer of fine wine and tastings like this one, along with the work we do with in-market Australian wine educators in both Mumbai and New Delhi, will help us grow demand among discerning Indian wine consumers. It’s been wonderful to travel to India and share some of our finest examples of Australian wine from the last century. This event has been two years in the making because these wines haven’t been easy to find. They’ve come from personal cellars, wineries and auction houses and many have been carried in hand luggage, bottle by bottle, just to get them to India intact. ‘This tasting is a culmination of an enriching first visit to Australia in 2013 where I was introduced to old vintages dating back to the early 20th century. I am delighted that we have been able to host this exclusive and unique tasting in New Delhi.’ said Rajiv Singhal, Editor, Fine Wine and Champagne. The wines tasted included: Campbell Wines Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat 1915 Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny 1930 Seppeltsfield Para Vintage Tawny 1936 Hardys Vintage Port 1947 Orlando Vintage Tawny Port 1954 Hardys Bin M177 Show Tawny Port 1957 Orlando Vintage Tawny Port 1963 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 1967 Brown Brothers Milawa Everton Hills Shiraz and Cabernet 1970 d’Arenberg Shiraz 1970 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1975 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1978 Tahbilk Reserve Bin 65 Cabernet Sauvignon 1984 Penfolds Grange 1986 Yalumba Signature Cabernet Shiraz 1998 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon The event follows the recent release of export figures that show an increase in the value of Australian wine exports to India of 10 per cent to A$4 million in 2015. Australia is the number one importer of wine to India followed by France and Italy. (Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) hosted the 'Great American Whiskey Experience', a one-of-a-kind tasting session at the St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai. The event, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, featured a presentation on the history and unique production process of American Whiskeys. It also included a tasting of globally recognized American Whiskeys, as well as some brands that are not currently available in India. ”American whiskeys, such as Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and now American Rye Whiskeys, are experiencing significant growth around the globe – but particularly in South Asia,” said Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President Christine LoCascio.“Overall, U.S. distilled spirits exports to India reached almost $4 million in 2014; exports through October 2015 are up 34% over the same period in 2014. We are pleased with the response American whiskeys have received in the India market and are optimistic about further growth.” She added. The soiree featured a tasting led by Steve Bashore, Master Distiller at the historical George Washington’s Distillery in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Explaining the time-honored tradition of whiskey making in the United States, which dates back to the 1700s, Bashore commented, “American Whiskeys, such as Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskeys and American Rye Whiskeys, are integral to the history of the United States. Our Founding Father George Washington produced a Rye Whiskey, the recipe of which we have worked to recreate at the George Washington Distillery at Mount Vernon.”
The evening ended with a cocktail presentation by the well-known author and Mumbai-based American Whiskey Ambassador, Shatbhi Basu. She showcased the mixability and versatility of American Whiskeys so that participants could compare classic American cocktails, such as the Manhattan and Old Fashioned, head-to-head with Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys. (Excerpt from a press release) Whiskies Tasted: George Washington Unaged Rye Bulleit Rye Maker’s Mark Gentleman Jack WoodFord Reserve Angels Envy Mumbai,India JD and Coke is a global phenomenon and the drinking population loves their Jack Daniels in India too. The oldest registered distiller in the USA;Jack Daniels from the Brown Forman co adds one more to their range in India, JD Honey and it was launched in Mumbai by Bartender emeritus Shatbhi Basu and Vineet Agarwal the Brand Head at Brown Forman India. Apart from the Jack Daniels no 7, India also has variants like the Gentleman’s Jack and Jack Daniels Silver Select but Jack Daniels Honey is different. It is Jack Daniels No 7 blended with a honey which makes it sweeter and brings out nuances of Cocoa, coffee and floral elements apart from the vanilla and sweet spice that carries forward from the original Tennessee whisky. At 35 percent alcohol and the sweetness to balance this can be best had chilled and neat. We tried various combination and we found the Honey sour with the freshness of mint the best. JD Honey can be considered as a liqueur for the seasoned whisky drinker, an entry to whisky to those who think it is not their cup of tea and apt for those who have just crossed over in to the legal drinking age. As Vineet mentioned, ‘In the US the majority of our consumers are between the minimum legal drinking age and their early 30’s. We look forward to see the response in the country.’ They have made their intentions clear with ice boxes pouring out chilled JD honey shots at a click of a button, we will have to wait and watch if party revelers will hesitate in accommodating JD honey or be completely floored by it. We certainly loved it. P.S: We look forward to JD Fire coming to India next! Mumbai, India
After the February 'Battle of the Bubbles' with New Zealand, the English face the mighty Champagne this Summer in another sparkling Challenge on the cricket pitch. Cricket has long been an integral part of the British summer season; evoking images of freshly mowed lawns, cream teas and sparkling wine. Whether it is Champagne or English Sparkling wine, a glass of fizz is the ultimate accompaniment to a day at the cricket.In celebration of this fine marriage, Pol Roger have organised the inaugural Champagne XI vs English Sparkling Wine XI Cricket match on 18th August at Brown Candover Cricket Club in Hampshire.It will be an enjoyable and informal setting in which the Champenois and English Sparkling wine communities can pit their ‘méthode Champenois’ against the ’méthode anglaise’ on the cricket pitch.We hope to see a nail-biting finish and shall get back with the results soon... Pol Roger seems to be the opener here and we loved their form in 1987! Delhi India Delhi, India
Ravish Kapoor, a pioneer in the art of customized invitation and has made his name synonymous with ‘elegance’ and ‘style’. He ushered the trend of personalized, exquisite invitations from weddings to anniversaries, baby showers to birthdays, and inaugurations to parties. He has now taken it to the next level by forging a partnership with LOUIS XIII Grande Champagne Cognac from the house of Rémy Martin in the creation of a wedding card collection in which the client gifted LOUIS XIII, the world’s finest cognac, to his closest friends and family.The liquid is created from a blend of 1200 eau de vie selected exclusively from the Grande Champagne region, and aged up to 100 years in century-old tierçon barrels, it is one of the rarest spirits in the world. A smaller invitation card with miniature carafe was also designed to present to other guests. Now we only wish we get invited to a do in this fashion, hope our friends are reading this! P.S: A full bottle of the LOUIS XIII comes at about Rs 2.5 lakh only Mumbai, India Sula Vineyards, India's #1 premium wine company announced the launch of JANUS – India’s first 100% premium grape brandy. Deriving its name from the ancient Roman deity with two faces, JANUS embodies the exceptional French cognac making heritage and the expertise of Sula in selecting the best Indian grapes. JANUS is made from carefully selected grapes from the best Indian vineyards which are then double distilled in small batches using traditional French alembic pot stills, to produce a liquor of exceptional smoothness and character. JANUS is aged in small French oak barrels under the supervision of French Master Blender Yonael Bernard, imparting a smooth and distinctive taste, exceptional aromas and a complex character of a cognac - style brandy with a long finish. Keeping up with the tradition of French cognac making, the master blender has developed a unique recipe guaranteeing excellence in every drop. Founder - CEO of Sula Vineyards, Rajeev Samant said, “With this launch Sula takes its first step into the world of spirits with a superbly crafted high end offering. We are confident that JANUS will win accolades and significantly raise the bar for brandy making in India. JANUS is India‘s first handcrafted cognac - style brandy for connoisseurs - from the House of Sula”. JANUS comes in premium packaging with a bottle design inspired from the Mid-19th century, a style known as ‘standard fifth’ or ‘lettered brandy’ with embossing. JANUS will be available initially in two SKUs of 750 ml and 180 ml at INR 1500 and INR 395 respectively across all leading outlets in Goa and will launch in other cities soon. (Excerpt from a press release) |
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The Happy High is a Mumbai based beverage consulting co founded in 2014 with a vision to raise the bars of the wine and dine scene in the country. Read more.
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