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.
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London, UK English wine producers Chapel Down and Ridgeview have been chosen to be the official suppliers for Downing Street receptions it has been announced. This confirms the Government's commitment to supporting the growth and success of the burgeoning UK food and drink industry. Ridgeview from Sussex and Chapel Down from Kent were present at the Food is GREAT launch event at No 10 Downing Street earlier this month, which showcased and celebrated the very best food and drink that Britain has to offer. Mark Harvey, Chapel Down Managing Director of Wines, added: "We are thrilled that Chapel Down will now be served at UK government functions. This valuable support from No 10 comes at an incredibly exciting time for a dynamic and ambitious English Wine industry" A spokesman for No 10 said: "The Government is proud to celebrate Britain's excellent produce and that includes at events hosted here at No 10. From Cornish pasties to Stilton cheese, from Welsh lamb to Scottish salmon, the UK is home to many iconic food and drink products recognised and enjoyed across Europe. Now English sparkling wine - which has beaten Champagne in competitions - is amongst them." (Excerpt from a Press release) The Day of Austrian Sekt 2015 brought with it a cause for celebration. The three levels of the Austrian Sekt quality-pyramid are to be henceforth identified with the designations Klassik, Reserve and Große Reserve (Grand Reserve). With this comes not only the guarantee that in purchasing an Austrian Sekt with protected designation of origin the consumer is receiving a wine with a documented pedigree, but also official assurance that the most stringent standards have been observed during production. In this process, the level of quality will be raised appreciably. And if Austria’s wines have attracted more and more international attention in the last couple decades by virtue of their typicity and distinctive nature, Sekt from Austria has set itself a steady course that promises continued success in the future.
After concluding a two-year process of quality calibrations, Austria’s Sekt producers have agreed on a stringent regulatory code,no easy fix, since it was necessary to acknowledge the interests of the big Sekt houses as well as those of individual, small artisanal producers. A new legal basis for high-quality Austrian Sekt analogous to that of Qualitätswein has been created by the Austrian Sekt Commission and a committee of Sekt-producing wine-growers, working together with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, experts of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and experts from the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture. Out of the former floodtide of undistinguished sparkling wine has evolved Austrian Sekt with Protected Provenance. These are wines capable of telling the tale of their origins, regardless of whether they are stamped with the freshness of Poysdorf or the minerality of Langelois, the Pannonian depth of Gols or the vivid aromatics of Gamlitz – there are distinctive sparkling characters to be found in all of Austria’s wine-growing regions. And Sekt is ready to launch itself upon a great career. Read more about it here (Excerpt from a press release) Leicestershire, England
The production figures for the 2014 harvest in the UK have just been released and reveal a significant growth in volume, breaking all industry production records. 47,433 hectolitres were produced last year - the equivalent of 6.3 million bottles (75cl). This represents an increase of 42% in volume over 2013 – itself a record-breaking figure of 4.45m bottles.The figures are compiled by the Wine Standards Branch (Food Standards Agency) from records submitted by all producers post-harvest. Whilst there is currently no official detailed breakdown of styles produced, English Wine Producers (EWP) and United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) estimate that at least two-thirds of production is now sparkling wine, pointing to a production level of some 4m bottles of sparkling wine from the 2014 harvest. UK vineyards enjoyed a long warm spring and summer in 2014, bringing both quality and quantity. Although the autumn proved cooler than hoped, the grapes came in clean and healthy and in large volumes. Viticultural Consultant Stephen Skelton MW commented: “The last two years have provided excellent growing conditions for our grapes – great flowering weather and a warm summer. The vineyards have produced some very good quality grapes and volumes of still and sparkling wines.” The UK Vineyard area has doubled in seven years and now stands at in excess of 2000ha (4,900 acres), the majority of which is mostly planted for the production of sparkling wine. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are now the most popular varieties, with plantings of these two alone increasing by over 230% in the last 8 years. Production of sparkling wines has increased by nearly 150% in the last 5 years and more volumes are now coming on to the market, from established producers to new English wine brands.Still wine production also continues to thrive and 2013 and 2014 vintage white, rosé and red wines are prominently available. Bacchus is the most popular aromatic grape variety in the UK and has been enjoying a steady growth in plantings. It is the third most widely planted grape variety. Julia Trustram Eve, Marketing Director of EWP said: “Over the last years we seem to be continually breaking our own records, and the 2014 figures surpass everything. There’s no doubt about it – English wines really are on an upward trajectory.We are noticing the uptake in English wine through the entire retail sector and the on trade. Export is another growing market. There is now a close collaboration between a number of producers already working on export initiatives. As volumes continue to grow, so will our efforts to develop markets both here and abroad.” (Excerpt from a press release) P.S: We just hope the path leads them to India soon London, England
New Zealand may have thrashed England on the cricket pitch earlier but yesterday the two countries went head to head with a strong team of sparkling wines each in Wellington and London, as eleven ‘players’ plus a twelfth man from each displayed a more even set of results. Hosted by New Zealand Winegrowers, Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, the ‘Battle of the Bubbles’ was played out in Wellington, with Team Captains Oz Clarke for England and Master of Wine Jane Skilton for New Zealand participating in a blind tasting of the two countries’ wines. The wines were tasted in pairs. The results were a comfortable dead heat between the two – six wines from both sides each winning their round. An English wine, Wyfold Brut 2010 from Oxfordshire, owned by Barbara Laithwaite, was crowned ‘Player of the Match’. Julia Trustram Eve, Marketing Director of English Wine Producers, added: “England can hold its head up high after this particular encounter with New Zealand. I’m really proud that in both tastings, the ‘Player of the Match’ was an English sparkling wine – congratulations to Wyfold and Hambledon!” Over in London a ‘friendly’ match between the same two teams was played out, hosted at New Zealand House. The event captured the attention of a good mix of wine writers, sommeliers and industry professionals, who tasted all the wines blind and were asked to vote for their best team and top wine (‘Player of the Match’). This time the overall win went to England, with the ‘Player of the Match’ another English wine: Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV from Hampshire – a pertinent winner, given its historical cricketing connections. Commenting on the results, Chris Stroud, Marketing Manager (Europe) of New Zealand Winegrowers said: “It was a hard fought match and a great result for both teams. There were some high quality wines on both sides showing that these two cool climate countries on opposite sides of the globe are capable of producing world-class bubbles.” The final results from Wellington (including the ‘12th man’) in alphabetical order were: Akarua Rosé Brut Central Otago NV – New Zealand Ambriel English Reserve Demi Sec NV – England Coates & Seely Blanc de Blancs NV – England Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV – England Henners Brut Reserve 2010 – England Huia Brut Marlborough 2009 – New Zealand Nautilus Cuvée Brut Marlborough NV – New Zealand No. 1 Family Estate No. 1 Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Marlborough NV – New Zealand Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2007 – England Osawa Prestige Collection Méthode Traditionnelle Hawke's Bay NV – New Zealand Tohu Rewa Blanc de Blancs Marlborough 2011 – New Zealand Wyfold Brut 2010 – England – “Player of the match” (Excerpt from a press release) London, England The sporting calendar kicked off this year with the ICC Cricket World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand. To kick-off the celebrations, New Zealand sparkling wine will compete with English sparkling wine in the “Battle of the Bubbles” on Thursday 19th February in Wellington, the day before the two teams meet for real on the cricket pitch! Each country has selected a top team of eleven players, plus a ‘twelfth man’, to go head to head with each other in a blind taste off. The team captains for each side: Oz Clarke for England and Jane Skilton MW for New Zealand, will be out in Wellington and head up a panel of wine writers, commentators and cricketing internationals to select the winners in the competition, which will then be announced at an evening reception. “This promises to be a thrilling match,” commented Oz Clarke. “Both countries are now world-renowned for the quality of their fizz and to meet head to head in this keenly-anticipated match will certainly highlight the fabulous quality of these two nations’ wines.We don’t anticipate any sledging or intimidatory tactics, because that simply wouldn’t be cricket. But, of course, this isn’t cricket is it? Perhaps I’ll take my box after all.” The ‘battle’ will also be held in London on Thursday 19th February in New Zealand Penthouse where the invited guests and media can have their say and vote for the winning team and select a ‘man of the match’ award. Check out the team below:
Mumbai, India Want to experience poetry in a bottle? Uncork the Anokhee Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, the latest offering from Vallonne Vineyards. It’s an exquisite limited edition 2009 vintage that has been aged for five years—18 months in the barrel and 42 months of bottle ageing in a controlled temperature in our underground cellars. Five years of ageing have created a luxurious wine with subtle, yet, luscious tannins. It’s a brilliant full bodied with dominant notes of spices and blackberry and hints of oak. The full mouth, yet soft palate achieved by barrel ageing is in perfect harmony with the nose.
Called Anokhee because it’s unique and exquisite, we pay tribute to the rich heritage of Indian crafts with this label created with the kalamkari stroke, a traditional block-print art form. The Anokhee Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a perfect dinner wine. Pair it with full, big flavours such as lamb, sizzlers and spicy biryanis. Its gentle tannins also make it a great companion with rich chocolate desserts. Prices at Rs 1350, it will be available at select outlets in Pune and Mumbai (Excerpt from a Press Release) Mumbai, IndiaGrover Zampa Vineyards made India proud by winning the first International Trophy for the Art Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2014. This is a remarkable win in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) 2014, which received more than 2,500 entries from around the world. The judges were unanimous in their decision to bestow the top accolade, reflecting India’s burgeoning wine scene. Co-chaired by Jeannie Cho Lee MW, the first Asian Master of Wine and a Contributing Editor to Decanter, and Steven Spurrier, Chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards and Decanter’s Consultant Editor, the Decanter Asia Wine Awards aims to recognize quality wines and provide consumers across Asia with a trusted source of recommendations. “The sole purpose of the DAWA is to recognise and award quality”, says Steven Spurrier, DAWA Co-Chair. “Our standards are high, and so are our expectations. We only award medals to wines in which consumers can have the utmost confidence.” An elated Sumedh Singh Mandla, CEO Grover Zampa Vineyards says “We are extremely honoured to receive this recognition at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards. It reiterates our position of being one of finest wine makers in India. We are committed to producing top quality wines, enjoyed by wine aficionados all over the world. I am sure this success will help us and other Indian wines, stand tall at international platforms.”
For full results of DAWA 2014, please visit dawa.decanterchina.com/en/2014 (Excerpt from a press release) P.S: They recently launched the a wine by the name of the Tennis legend; Vijay Amritraj read more Mumbai, India Ashwin Deo, the founder of Trinity Vintners Pvt Ltd presents Turning Point Sangrias, a unique new innovation in keeping with the overall brand promise of making wines “Young, Approachable and Fun”. This range of Ready to Drink Sangrias comes after over 3 years of extensive and continuous research on various flavours. Turning Point ready to drink Sangrias come in two variants – METROPOLITAN (cranberry & orange) and NASHIK MULE (orange and ginger ale). The Sangrias come in a never seen before and immensely attractive 330ML pack, designed with the utmost convenience of the consumers in mind. The MRP of these Sangrias is Rs.135/- only and is in the direct consideration set of PREMIUM beers and breezers. “Sangria has, over the last few years become the largest selling cocktail in the country with all the leading hotels and bars serving them by pitchers! It is this trend that has been captured in a 330ML bottle by Turning Point Wines!! “, says Ashwin Deo. The Sangria can be enjoyed either straight from the bottle or simply by chopping some fruits into a glass, and pouring the Sangria in, with some ice…..and its serve!! It is that easy, simple and convenient!! “India is a vibrant market with one of the youngest populations in the world. The Indian consumer is increasingly enjoying a globe-trotting lifestyle whilst taking pride in all that is Indian, with high awareness levels about lifestyle beverages”, adds Ashwin. Sangria can be enjoyed at a Sun downer, Over Brunch, With Dinner or even over a casual Catch Up after work, with colleagues & friends. Turning Point Sangrias have been launched initially in Maharashtra at leading retail stores, restaurants, lounge bars and night clubs, and will soon be taken to other states
(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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