​Beverage News from India & the World

Mumbai, India
Grover Zampa Vineyards, the longest standing winery in India, has added United Spirits Ltd wholly-owned subsidiary Four Seasons Wines, and Charosa Vineyards, an asset of Hindustan Construction Company, to their wine portfolio. The move comes as a part of the brands overarching efforts to bolster its sales, improvise on its mass and premiumisation strategies while indirectly also fueling the growing wine business of the country.
 
Grover Zampa Vineyards’ has been a pioneer of fine winemaking in India and a leading exporter, significantly marking its footprints in India as well as various International countries. With the addition of two new brands, the company plans to expand into a multi-brand lifestyle label with wine being at the core of their business. The brand aims to widen their portfolio and offer more varieties that resonate with the millennials and new age wine drinkers. This will also lead to an increased focus on wine tourism with better amenities being offered to patrons at their vineyards, thereby consolidating their position as a market leader in the country.
Spread over 50 acres in Baramati, Four seasons was started back in 2006 following the acquisition of French winery Bouvet-Ladubay. The brand has focused on developing Indian wines that are not only affordable but also at par with international quality, a vision mutually shared between both Four Seasons and Grover Zampa Vineyards. On the other hand, Charosa’ winery is spread over 230 acres in Charosa village and is known for its weather and soil that are extremely efficacious for the growth of wine grapes; rendering the acquisitions as strategically ripe and beneficial to Grover Zampa’s growth plans.
 
Speaking about their strategy, Mr. Vivek Chandramohan, CEO, Grover Zampa Vineyards opined “The wine industry has been on a positive growth trajectory for the past few years, with growing interest from varying consumers to better understand and experience the beverage. This has opened up the pathway to expand and reach out to these very consumers through various touch-points – an insight which has significantly dictated our association with Four Seasons and Charosa. We have a positive ambition for what the future has in store for us and are committed to providing our patrons with the very best in wine.”

Mumbai, India
The much awaited  Gin bar at the signature award-winning and internationally-acclaimed Jyran – Tandoor Dining & Lounge finally opened its door to Gin lovers this January. The bar boasts of an innovative menu featuring exquisite gin cocktails and much-loved classics, as subtle ingredients are coupled with stylish service by talented BarChefs, The stylish and opulent newly-launched bar was unveiled in the presence of Magandeep Singh, a Sommelier, renowned writer & TV Show host  & Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Sofitel Mumbai BKC along with food and beverage connoisseurs from across the city.
Gin is one such popular category of fine spirits that draws its essence from selected botanicals such as lavender, fresh bay leaf, fennel seed rosemary, coriander, and black peppercorn. There are over 30 varieties of gin offered at Jyran Gin Bar including notable varieties like Le Gin de Christian Drouin, Stranger & Sons, Star Of Bombay and Cotswolds Dry Gin.  On the hand some of the flavours of home made infusions include saffron, berry, exotic tea, hibiscus, lemongrass, and orange peel. One can savour the definitive yet delicate notes punching through, while underlining the fragrant wave of aromatic herbs, thereby creating a lovely balance of intense and earthy elements.
Biswajit Chakraborty, at the splendid terrace of Jyran – Tandoor Dining & Lounge, said, “ With the Jyran Gin Bar we are pleased to reinvent perceptions about gin as just another spirit and open doors for gin aficionados to rediscover a fine collection of authentic, gin-flavoured cocktails and much-loved classics that are steadily making their way through elegant hospitality space.” ( Excerpt from a release)

International demand for fine Australian wine grew strongly in 2018, with an increase in wine exports of 10 per cent in value to $2.82 billion free on board (FOB) and 5 per cent in volume to 850 million litres (94 million 9-litre case equivalents) in the year ended 31 December 2018.
‘These figures demonstrate strong international demand and they highlight how Australian wine exporters have worked diligently to develop and maintain international markets’, said Andreas Clark, CEO Wine Australia.
‘This demand translated into growth in almost all price segments’, he said. 
Bottled wine shipments increased by 7 per cent in value to $2.24 billion and decreased in volume by 3 per cent to 361 million litres (equivalent to 40 million 9-litre cases). This saw the average value of bottled wine grow by 10 per cent to a record $6.20 per litre FOB. Unpackaged wine also experienced outstanding growth, reaching record levels in value (up 27 per cent to $560 million) and volume (up 12 per cent to 480 million litres or 53 million 9-litre case equivalents). The average value of unpackaged wine continued to grow, increasing by 14 per cent to $1.17 per litre. ​Red wine continues to be the most popular wine style exported from Australia, and value increased by 12 per cent to $2.14 billion in the year ended December 2018. The value of white wine exports also grew – by 10 per cent to $607 million.( Excerpt from a release)

Mumbai, India
As an ode to its successful five-year journey in the country, Chandon India announces the new ‘Think Pink’ bottle for its Rosé varietal in January 2019. The design of the India-themed bottle draws inspiration from some of the
country’s most recognisable symbols, especially the Peacock – also the national bird of India, along with other motifs derived from natural riches of the country – such as bejewelled antique jewellery, and stunning ancient architectural patterns.
The label plays with the soothing shades of blue of the majestic peacock – an epitome of poise, beauty and individualism. We can learn from it lessons about the meaning of self-love,honour, integrity and the importance of facing life’s challenges as well as the unknown with courage, confidence and grace. Meanwhile, the refined lotus pink in the bottle’s design, represents all that is precious. The two hues blend beautifully together in the bottle’s design to expertly embody the true spirit of Chandon Rosé. The ornate design also draws from other inspirations – delicate inlay work in Mughal architecture, embellished bejewelled ornamentation from traditional techniques such as jadau and polki, as well as one of India’s richest legacies – handwoven textiles.
Chandon’s ‘Think Pink’ bottle for its Rosé is the perfect pouring partner and is gender neutral, making it ideal for celebrations and for gift giving to celebrate love, self-expression and confidence and to get the party started!
Chandon’s ‘Think Pink’ bottle of rosé will be available at select retail outlets and on-premise at F&B partners from January 2019 onwards in markets that Chandon is present in. (Excerpt from a release)