Gaius Octavius Caesar Augustus of Rome, visited Ancient Olympia to take part in the Olympics. The first night of his visit was hosted in the villa of the Roman province in Elis. Wanting to make a good impression on the Emperor, the Provincial Governor wanted to offer him the best wine native to Sacred Olympic Land. It was a red wine with ruby color, full of delicate and mysterious flavors. The vine that gave this wine was grown only in the blessed Land of Ancient Olympia. The Emperor Augustus duly honored the Wine and it was known to all that good wine could easily lure him into excesses... So he got drunk on the dark red wine and slept that night. The next day, of course, he woke up with the sun high in the sky having missed the opportunity to take part in the Olympics. The Greeks of course offered him an olive wreath and a golden crater. The legend says that Augustus stayed for three days walking around with him and tried all the wines and goods of the area, but on the day he left he ordered the Roman governor of Ilida to send him two large containers of that red wine to Rome each year. That shiny, ruby wine… For as long as the Emperor lived, the Provincial Governor faithfully followed the command. But those times was strange, and one-night Gaius Octavius Caesar Augustus of Rome, was poisoned by his own wife. Some say that on the night he was poisoned, he was drunk on this wonderful red wine from Olympia Land. The local wine-makers, in the name of the Emperor who honored them by his choice, they name the ancient vine and red ruby wine 'Augoustiatis', by the name of the great Emperor. Today, 2,000 years later, here in Ancient Olympia, at Ktima Brintziki (Estate) still cultivates the same vine with the same care and produce the same wine that was worthy of Emperors. The well over four millennia of Olympic Winery history that we follow faithfully and diligently, they hope to bring to you the same thrill it once caused to Emperor August ( excerpt from a release by Brintziki estates)
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Mumbai, India Sofitel Mumbai BKC, Accor’s French luxury brand launched the 2019 edition of Sofitel Wine Days scheduled from September 21st to October 31st, 2019. Sofitel Wine Days is the hotel group’s annual global celebration of France’s unique winemaking heritage and culture. Carrying forward this legacy, the initiative brings all 120 Sofitel Hotels & Resorts worldwide together to celebrate the essence of French wine at each destination. On the occasion of Sofitel Wine Days, the luxury hotel will be hosting exquisite events, engaging sessions, and meetings with local wine experts in the city. Events hosted by master sommeliers will provide guests an opportunity to embark on an odyssey full of surprises, providing a platform to discover exotic flavours and varieties of wine. To mark the inauguration ceremony, the 5-star hotel invited wine connoisseurs to discover ‘une belle sélection’ of wines in celebration of the grape harvest season in France. Providing an ideal opportunity for guests to discover Sofitel's French Art De Vivre, the business hotel will be offering wines from Alsace, Bordeaux, Corsica, and Rhône paired with classic dishes from each of these regions by Executive Chef Neeraj Rawoot and his team of talented chefs. Through the ongoing global celebration, the luxury hotel looks forward to delighting amateurs and aficionados alike, as they discover the secrets of wine. Mumbai, India VBev introduces leading Single Malt brands The Dalmore Highland Single Malt & Jura Single Malt from the Whyte & Mackay portfolio in India. Whyte & Mackay was founded on the docks of Glasgow in 1844 by James Whyte and Charles Mackay, who laid the foundations for the company which has since gone on to produce some of the most highly-awarded and respected whisky brands in the world. The portfolio includes its flagship Whyte & Mackay Blended Whisky, award-winning Single Malts The Dalmore, Jura, Tamnavulin, Fettercairn, and Shackleton. Most recently the producer has created and launched new brands including The Woodsman, Wildcat Gin, Whisky Works with more innovations to be announced. . The rising economic prosperity among the middle class and millions of new consumers entering the legal drinking age each year continues to position India as an increasingly important market on the global premium whisky map. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reported that India hit a record high in 2018 having sold 112.6 million bottles valued at 4.7billion pounds bumping it up to one of their top export markets for scotch whisky. “We are elated to introduce Whyte & Mackay’s iconic whisky portfolio to the Indian market. We have curated an offering for the Indian whisky consumer at every stage of their journey of discovery. The Dalmore Highland Single Malt, revered globally by collectors, connoisseurs and seasoned single malt drinkers will be a perfect fit in the growing luxury single malt segment. The extraordinary Jura Single Malt, the only single malt from the Isle of Jura, we foresee will carve a niche among the new single malt drinkers. John Barr Reserve, critically acclaimed for its unmatchable quality in the blended scotch segment caters to consumers transitioning from premium Indian whiskies to the blended scotch category.” said Sumedh Singh Mandla, Chief Executive Officer, VBev. The price is in Maharashtra Jura 10 Rs 7500, Dalmore 12 Rs 10500 and John Barr blended scotch at Rs 2650. ( approximate prices) ( Excerpt from a release) ‘Austrian winegrowers are looking forward to a good vintage with fully ripe grapes this year. Compared to the big harvest in 2018, an average volume of approximately 2.4 million hectolitres is expected. And after the record-breaking early harvest last year, picking will begin around Lake Neusiedl at the beginning of September. In other regions, the primary harvest will begin in mid-September’, explained Johannes Schmuckenschlager, president of the
Austrian Winegrowers’ Association, with regard to 2019. No late frost damage this year After a normal budding, late frost damage could be avoided once more this year, despite a few anxious nights. In contrast to the previous year, flowering took place about two weeks later – at the normal time. The great heat in June 2019 with record temperatures over 30°C then led to rapid progress of the vegetation. The dry and hot weather conditions also provided the reason why very healthy grape material is available throughout Austria this year, as this dryness worked against the development of any fungal diseases during and after flowering. The very high temperatures around blossoming led, however, in some areas and some vineyards to a poor fruit set. First drought, then relief In some regions – for example, in Burgenland and around Krems – the heat brought severe drought stress in June and July. At the end of July, however, the onset of rainfall provided relief in most winegrowing regions. Occasionally there was also heavy precipitation in the form of downpours and thunderstorms, and some hail damage was recorded. At present, the vegetation is progressing quite nicely thanks to the rainfall, which is why one may expect a normal start to the harvest this year. So how is 2019 looking? The development of the vegetation cycle in 2019 points to a fully ripe vintage. Due to the arid stretch after flowering in June and July, the berries are on average a bit smaller, which is also an indicator that there will be some very aromatic wines. And because of the postponement of maturity to a normal, slightly cooler period, growers expect high sugar concentration but sufficient acidity as well. 2019 should offer very harmonious and nicely balanced wines. (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India Ignacio, export manager for Grupo Avinea; one of the top Argentinian wine groups and the export partner for Ace Beveragez, visited India for the first time to attend a few exclusive wine tasting events, hosted by Ace Beveragez, held in Delhi and Mumbai to learn the development of wine industry in Indian market and was elated with the wine appreciation by Indian audience, especially for Malbec. He enlightened the guests with his knowledge of wine and the story of Argento and AG wines. The Wine & Food soiree held on 1st August in Townhall, Lower Parel, hosted by Ace Beveragez featured some of the city’s finest wine and lifestyle bloggers, influential media personalities, gourmets and sommeliers relished splendid food by townhall and some of Argentina’s best wines and innovative cocktails made with the wines that were showcased at the event. The wines that were showcased
AG Malbec Shiraz - It is characterised by vibrant fruit flavours and is a perfect blend of two varieties, the Malbec gives blackberry and toasty oak characters on the nose, while the Shiraz provides an explosion of black fruit and pepper, which put together form a wine with medium body, ripe fruit flavours. AG Chardonnay- The quintessential expression of today’s Argentina, this fruity and refreshing wine offers enticing aromas of tropical pineapple and lime citrus. Concentrated flavours of honeydew melon and passion fruit are also complemented by subtle minerality leading into a fresh, crisp finish. Argento Malbec- It comes with a greater concentration of fruit and complexity, this one is exceptional, intense and expressive and comes in rich complex flavors on the palate and a soft mouth texture. Argento Chardonnay- It is golden and expresses fresh citrus aromas, although a full-bodied wine in the mouth, it is a clean wine, with fresh flavors of grapefruit and pineapple complemented by mineral notes. The finish is persistent and refreshing, with a rich texture and crisp acidity. The food from TownHall complemented well. Margherita Pizza with Burrata and Basil, Asparagus with a peanut flavoured sauce, Asparagus Tempura Sushi along with other Hors d’oeuvres paired perfectly with Argento and AG wines and signature cocktails. Cocktails that were specially made for this event by Lokesh - The Townhall mixologist State Norma - prepared using Tequila, AG 47 Malbec and topped with a delicate cucumber slice. The Spritzer - prepared using White Wine, Elderflower syrup and gin, served over crushed ice and garnished with an orange slice and powdered sugar. (Excerpt from a release) The value of Australian wine exports has continued to grow in the 12 months to June 2019, increasing by 4 per cent in value to $2.86 billion. China continued to drive growth and the United States of America (USA) also made a welcome return to growth. Export volumes decreased by 6 per cent to 801 million litres (89 million 9 litre case equivalents); this volume decline was driven by a decrease of 7 per cent in shipments of wine below an average value of $2.50 per litre free on board (*FOB). This resulted in a 10 per cent increase in the overall average value of exported wine to $3.58 per litre, the highest level since 2009. Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said the growth in value and the declines in volume at that lower end of the price spectrum would be welcome news to the sector that has been focusing strongly on growing value rather than volume. ‘The strong growth in average value is positive for the wine sector and the broader economy as it lifts returns for wine businesses and flows through to regional economies through higher grape prices. Our National Vintage Report 2019 released last week shows that the average grape price has lifted for the fifth year in a row, reaching $664 per tonne, the highest level since 2008’, Mr Clark said. ‘The turnaround in exports to the USA, which grew by 2 per cent in value to $432 million, is pleasing. Average value increasing 6 per cent to $2.83 per litre, the first growth in 2 years, rewards the efforts of the many exporters who are working actively in that market to change perceptions about Australian wines and communicate about the diversity and excellence of Australia’s offering. ‘There were increases across most major price segments in the USA with the stand out segment for growth being $7.50 to $9.99 per litre FOB.’ Mr Clark said Australian wine exports to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) had reached a financial year record, increasing 7 per cent in value to $1.2 billion. Volume, however, decreased 16 per cent to 154 million litres (17 million 9-litre case equivalents) as exports of wines below $2.50 per litre FOB declined. Australia is well-placed in China, currently sitting behind Chile and France in export volume and second to France in export value. However, looking at the first five months of 2019, Australia has overtaken France to become the number one imported wine category in mainland China by value. Australia’s imported market share has jumped 13 percentage points since 2015 to 24 per cent based on volume; compounded by the recent contraction of the total import market. Mr Clark said that the United Kingdom (UK) market had experienced a slight decline with value decreasing 3 per cent to $373 million and volume declining 4 per cent to 236 million litres (26 million 9-litre case equivalents). Average value increased 1 per cent to $1.58 per litre. The volume decline reflects that some of the larger brands have wrapped up their strategies of getting additional product into market pre-Brexit to mitigate any disruption to exports. ‘It’s important to retain perspective on the UK market. Research by IRI shows Australia was ranked number 1 in still wine off trade [retail] sales in the 12 months ended March 2019, with a market share of 24 per cent in volume and 23 per cent in value’, Mr Clark said. Off-trade sales in the UK for Australian wine grew 1 per cent in the year ended March 2019 to £1.2 billion. The key areas of growth were wine priced between £5.01–7.00 per bottle (up 1 per cent), £8.01–9.00 (up 10 per cent), and £10.01–20.00 (up 4 per cent) (IRI Worldwide). Australia has the highest share (30 per cent) in the £5.01–6.00 per bottle segment. Mr Clark said Australian wine supplies would remain tight in the medium term with last week’s National Vintage Report revealing that the 2019 vintage was 1.73 million tonnes, just one per cent below the 10-year average. This means that supplies, particularly of reds that dominate Australian exports, will continue to remain stable. (Excerpt from a release) Vienna, Austria This year’s Austrian Wine Summit will get underway from 23–29 May, almost 200 journalists from thirty-nine countries will travel through the nation’s winegrowing regions at the invitation of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), with special attention paid to those regions situated at the country’s borders. The wine summit will culminate in a one-day conference addressing the history of Austrian wine, on 26 May in Vienna, where the book Wine in Austria: the History – to be published in December – will also be introduced. Focus on borderland vineyards Every two years, the AWMB conducts Austria’s biggest wine tour for the international press, the Wine Summit, and this year’s edition will be addressing a very special theme. AWMB managing director Willi Klinger is looking forward to the days ahead, saying in eager anticipation: “For many years, I have wanted to devote a comprehensive visit to the vineyards on Austria's borders, national borders which did not exist until after 1918; demarcations which suddenly cut excellent terroirs in two. Now, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the peace negotiations in the suburbs of Paris, this year’s summit will bring top journalists from all over the world to take a closer look at what has been going on in our winegrowing regions at the borders since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, and we’ll also use this opportunity to introduce our neighbours here and there.” 197 journalists, 857 wines, 425 Austrian winegrowers From 23–29 May, 197 journalists from thirty-nine countries will travel through the Austrian winegrowing regions bordering the neighbouring countries Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. In addition to guests from major export markets such as Germany and the USA, numerous media representatives from emerging or developing markets such as Canada and China will be attending the summit. From the “Dreiländerblick” (three-country view) in Schrattenberg (Weinviertel), over the Bridge of Andau (Neusiedlersee), and the “Weinblick” observation point (Eisenberg) all the way to the “Grenztisch” (a table that literally straddles Slovenia’s border with the Südsteiermark), the tour groups will be stopping at various borderland vineyards and stations along the frontiers. There they will receive in-depth information from accredited specialists regarding the historical background, as well as the influence of the situation at the border on local viticulture. Numerous wine tastings will round out the extensive travel programme, some also featuring wines from the neighbour countries. In total there will be 826 wines from 425 Austrian winegrowers and 31 wines from 20 international growers presented for tasting. Parallel to the itineraries that range along the borders, there will also be an introductory visit to Austrian wine country for those journalists coming for the first time. This group will focus on classic wine regions along the Danube. Highlight: A day’s conference addressing Austrian wine history The centrepiece of this year's wine summit will be a one-day conference on 26 May for all participants at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna, especially dedicated to the history of Austrian wine. At the conference, the approximately 500-page book Wine in Austria: the History, which will be published in December, will also be presented. It was conceived by Willi Klinger and then came to fruition under the academic direction of 21 May 2019 Professor Dr Karl Vocelka. More than thirty authors contributed about two and a half years of work to this study, which treats the development of viticulture in Austria since its beginnings in prehistory. The end of the conference-day will be punctuated with a big, casual Heurigen evening. Mr Klinger summarises: “At the Heurigen we want to raise a toast with all our Wine Summit guests and a good glass of Austrian wine, in a convivial and friendly ambience. I am convinced that the representatives of the international media will be able to take completely new perspectives on Austrian wine home with them from their travels and, as a result, be better able to spread the word into the world.” (Excerpt from a release) Bengaluru, India
Grover Zampa Vineyards, the most awarded wine producers and the pioneers of wine-making in India, have extended their offerings by unveiling a new visitor centre at their Bangalore winery, situated in the verdant Nandi Hills. Launching a slew of new amenities, the transformation comes as a part of the brand’s overarching efforts to appease patrons, both local and international, with unique experiences to enjoy the many tangs of wine. From humble beginnings to an insignia of conviviality, Grover has always stood for its heritage, rich culture and exceptional craftsmanship. Exuding the same through a unique event designed for wine connoisseurs and afficianados, the brand offered a first-hand escapade of their winemaking tradition along with a guided tour of their winery and new visitor centre. The event also witnessed the launch of exclusive wines from the brand’s stable - Vendanges Tardives: a rich, intense, full-bodied aged dessert wine of uncommon grace and elegance; delivering floral notes and traces of spice and apricot; La Réserve Royale Brut: a sparkling vino , traditional method , partly fermented in barrels and aged for more than 30 months, this wine delivers a complex bouquet of lemon zest, flowers, fresh hazelnuts and brioche; and a new vintage of Insignia: a dry wine with medium body leading to an intricate and meandering trail of fruit-berries, coffee and chocolate, with a hint of black pepper. The culinary partner for the event was Conrad who curated the food served at the event which was a melange of different appetizers, mains and desserts. The celebration introduced the brand’s very first restaurant and lounge, Lounge de La Réserve, on ode to the brand’s flagship wine – La Réserve; serving a fusion of Indian and Continental cuisines, providing patrons the opportunity to enjoy piquant wine pairings and delicacies. The new visitor centre also houses Cave the La Reserve, a tasting room specifically designed to conduct tastings and masterclasses in the right environment and Boutique the La Reserve, for cellar door sales of the wines. The event was complemented with an all-encompassing wine masterclass, hosted by India’s first Master of Wine – Sonal Holland at Cave the La Reserve. The evening culminated in an after-soiree, where the who’s who of Bangalore were seen enjoying the ambience and conversing over wine. Commenting on the occasion, Ravi Viswanathan, Chairman, Grover Zampa Vineyards said “We have been striving to make strong amendments to shape and grow the wine industry, raising the standards of Indian vino while making a mark internationally. Directed by this very commitment, we are extremely excited to launch Lounge de La Réserve and the newer wines, which we believe are truly reflective of the capabilities of the Indian terroir and address to an evolved wine consumer. We have a positive ambition for what the future has in store for us and the wine tourism industry, and are committed to providing our patrons with the very best in wine.” Adding to the same, Vivek Chandramohan, CEO, Grover Zampa Vineyards opined “At Grover Zampa, quality has always been the cornerstone of our endeavours. We are delighted to have introduced the new-fangled additions to the brand, which we are certain will not only boost our current offerings but also elevate the overall wine experience. We are bullish on the future and are eager to endure this journey of constant innovation and upgradation.” Mumbai, India
Belvedere – the world’s first super premium vodka, today announced the much-anticipated, second edition of their annual made-for-India platform Belvedere Studio B with actor Arjun Kapoor as its evangelist. The 2019 edition will further see an exciting collaboration of inspiring, young talents from the worlds of fashion – Kunal Rawal, gastronomy – Prateek Sadhu of Masque and design – Shilo Shiv Suleman. Belvedere Studio B is a tactile representation of Belvedere’s defining Collective Spirit, depicting the coming together of Water and Rye; Taste and Character. This year’s collaboration will culminate in a finale spectacle in Mumbai in May 2019. Since it was founded 25 years ago, Belvedere has been a global cornerstone celebrating the most prolific creative minds like John Legend, Usher and Janelle Monae amongst many others via its collaborations. As an essential ingredient to night-life and building a distinct cocktail-culture, Belvedere has always transcended the traditional notion of luxury through an avant-garde lens. Belvedere Studio B is a result of this mindset - where individual expression and collaboration lead to a beautiful, sensory experience! In keeping with the essence of Belvedere Studio B, Arjun Kapoor will formally set the stage and introduce this year’s collaborators to Belvedere-lovers across the world. Further, the collaborators - Kunal, Shilo, Prateek and will conceptualize and create a never-before-seen expression inspired by Belvedere…all the while engaging with their fans for creative suggestions. Expressing excitement about the launch, Stephane de Meurville, Managing Director, Moët Hennessy India shared, “The foundation of Belvedere Studio B lies in its dynamic, collective spirit much like how we create Belvedere in Poland. We are now very excited to present the 2019 edition and have found the perfect Evangelist in Arjun Kapoor. An integral part of the cultural zeitgeist with his rooted performances, Mr. Kapoor epitomizes substance, intelligence and opinion in an increasingly digital-social world.” Sharing more about his association, Arjun Kapoor said, “As an actor, one of the most important lessons one learns is the power of collaboration. The best movies are a crash-course in how the meeting of minds lead to the creation of something beautiful, impactful on screen! Thus, I naturally leaned in to the concept of Belvedere Studio B given its format of using varied creative fields as a medium to tell its story. I will be throwing open the challenge to this year’s collaborators to create a quintessential Belvedere experience and am quite excited to see their ideas coming to life.” ( Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India Highlights:- - Over 65 luxury beverages - Three new world spirits – Calvados, Armagnac and Cachaca - 40+whiskies and 15+ gins - 30+ storytellers - 3 World’s 50 Best Bars take over 3 bars at Kamala Mills - 1 Aroma Master - 1 Global Mezcal Ambassador - 13 stories and discussions with experts from the world of fine beverages - 9 masterclasses and mixology experiences from global experts - 1000 fine beverage connoisseurs over two days At its first edition ever, The Vault Biennale- India’s premier luxury beverage festival- presented by Founder, Keshav Prakash, with the theme of ‘Spirited Stories’, witnessed a large number of Indian and international connoisseurs. The Vault Biennale showcased the best luxury and craft spirits from across the world at Tote on The Turf, Mahalaxmi on 16th and 17th February, 2019. The festival opened its doors to new fine spirit enthusiasts, who had the chance to indulge in luxury beverages that are a product of passion and commitment. The event hosted over 60 handcrafted spirits, over 30 international masters, distillers, storytellers; and mixologists from three of the `World’s 50 Best Bars’. Divided into - Taste, Discover, Listen and Indulge, the festival gave guests an access to beyond 60 spirits from around the world to uncover categories that they may not be familiar with, such as Calvados, Armagnac and Cachaca. These masters, distillers and mixologists flew in from all parts of the globe, to be a part of various engaging sessions for connoisseurs and new appreciators of fine spirits at The Vault Biennale. “The festival’s vision was to create a platform that celebrates the craft distillers and distilleries as well as commemorate world renowned beverages that have soul”, says Keshav Prakash, Founder and Curator, The Vault. “The response was overwhelming with over 1000 people who attended the event. We already have requests for making this an annual property from attendees and participants alike!” he adds. The event saw star attendance from Mumbai’s biggest names that included personalities such as Srila Chatterjee, dear friend of The Vault & the founder of Baro, kick-started the launch toast on the beautiful Saturday morning while Pooja Dhingra, Gauri Devidayal and Thomas Zacharias anchored some of the most important discussions relevant to the Indian scenario. Chef Pablo Naranjo Agular, Romi Puroskar, Atul Kasbekar, Tanuj Garg were some of the other personalities present at the Vault Biennale. Day one, Srila Chatterjee’s introduction was followed by a toast by Founder Keshav Prakash and Hiroyasu Kayama who offered his signature cocktail made using an Indian craft Gin- Stranger & Sons to every guest present there. The Listening section kick-started with stories and discussions over an array intriguing subjects such as - The Spirit of Craftmanship, The Curious World of Gins, The Rum Renaissance- When? among various others, which were attended by the audience based on their interests, and this led to great insights, conversations and discussions. The Vault Biennale also offered the guests a chance to indulge in masterclasses - A Cocktail with Hiroyasu Kayama- Bar Benfiddich, World’s 50 Best Bars, Tokyo, A Cocktail with Alex Simonidis & Georgia Georgakopoulou- The Clumsies, World’s 50 Best Bars, Athens, Aroma Masterclass, to name a few. The evening of day one, The Vault Biennale in partnership with Diageo World Class welcomed three of the World’s 50 Best Bars to Mumbai, which took over three renowned resto-bars at Kamala Mills. The expert mixologists of these bars offered their signature cocktails at KOKO, The Bombay Canteen and XICO and played host to Bar Benfiddich from Tokyo, The Clumsies from Athens and Licoreria Limantour from Mexico City respectively. The second day of The Vault Biennale commenced with narratives of the tales of Single Malt- How it all began?. The Mystery of Mezcal, Elevating your Home bar- A personal Statement an insightful session that was carried out by Keshav Prakash (The Vault) and Yangdup Lama (Sidecar, Delhi) among various others. In addition to this, a number of other fascinating masterclasses that took the audience on a journey of discovery were - Aroma Masterclass, A Masterclass with the Chocolate Alchemist, A Tequila and Mezcal Masterclass, among others. To give the Delhi audience a taste of what Mumbai experienced with 3 world mixologists over the weekend, The Vault Biennale team in association with The Oberoi, New Delhi hosted a bar take over by the Mexican daredevils – Bar Limantour from Mexico at CIRRUS 9, the rooftop bar at The Oberoi on February 21 & 22. The event witnessed a community of fine spirit aficionados on both days, with enthusiasts, connoisseurs and industry stalwarts who flocked to extend support and kickstart what can only be the start of a fine-appreciation movement. It’s safe to say that Mumbai along with other cities in India, or even Asia, would be thrilled to be a part of The Vault Biennale’s next edition. (excerpt from a release) Mumbai , India Prestige wines Spirits Pvt Ltd, headed by Sumit Sehgal recently added one more jewel to their portfolio with Tedeschi Winery from the Verona Region of Italy. Sabrina Tedeschi, one of the family members of the family managed winery visited India to launch and present her wines to Indian Wine Enthusiasts. The family name Tedeschi is one of the names rooted in the history of Valpolicella Classico wine. The estates first documents date back to 1630 and the family continues their work of interpretation and exaltation of the territory in the entirely 46 ha of hillside vineyards’ out of a total of 99 hectares they own. Attention to tradition, focus on innovation, knowledge of the territory, sustainable viticulture and vinification of the grapes from single vineyards are the key elements that make up the identity of Tedeschi's estate. These values have become Tedeschi's style, a mix of strength, elegance and unmistakable character, a true and a typical expression of the territory. Prestige has started with 4 different wines from Tedeschi out of around 10 different wines they produce. The 4 now available in India are as following: 1. Capitel Tenda Soave DOC Classico – Mumbai Price: INR 3,150 2. Tedeschi Valpolicella DOC Superiore – Mumbai: INR 2,995 3. Capitel San Rocco Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore – Mumbai Price: INR 4,750 4. Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG – Mumbai Price: INR 9,600 These premium wines were launched in Mumbai & Delhi for now with a wine dinner in each city and tastings with sommeliers. In Mumbai the dinner was organised at Saffron, the Indian restaurant at the JW Marriott Juhu with an intention to pair the robust nature these with the Indian food. and in Delhi, the dinner was done more of a traditional way with Italian food from Sorrento at the Shangri-La New Delhi. The wines were very well received and Sabrina was kind enough to carry Amarone 1995 with her which was indeed the showstopper for the evening. ( excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India India is the latest addition to the export markets of the Cordoniu Raventos group and it kickstarts their business in India with VBev; a dynamic and fast-growing Wine & Spirits importer and introduced the Codorniu Cava, Vina Pomal Rioja and Veranza from their portfolio at a suave affair high up in the air at Aer Lounge at the Four Seasons, Mumbai. A brief on Codorniu Raventos group? Cordorníu Raventós Group is one of the world’s leading wine-producing companies. Their estate owned vineyards span across 3,000 hectares making them one of the largest family-owned vineyards in Europe with a legacy of 18 generations. Their wineries are located in Spain’s Rioja, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Costers del Segre and Penedés, California’s Napa Valley and Argentina’s Mendoza. The group has also been credited as being the top premium player in the domestic wine market in Spain. History of the Codorniu Raventos group ? It all began in 1551 when Jaume Codorniu a landowner with vineyards started producing wine. Jaume’s winery, now part of the Cordorníu Raventós group is the oldest winery in Spain and the 17th oldest in the world. Some other notable milestones include the production of the first bottle of Cava in 1872 and being appointed Purveyor to the Royal Family in 1897. Today, they produce the best-selling Cava in the world and export their wines to over 100 countries, On the occasion of the launch Sumedh Singh Mandla, Chief Executive Officer of VBev said; “We are excited to introduce Spain’s iconic wine group Codorniu Raventos to the Indian market. Spain offers an array of wonderful wines at a great value, our initial selection with Codorniu Cava, Vina Pomal and Veranza reflect Codorniu Raventos’ diverse offering. Codorniu Brut Clasico, a well-structured and fruit forward Cava with a rich bouquet of aromas and eye-catching packaging will be perfect for the Indian palate and ideal for gifting. Vina Pomal is an iconic and critically acclaimed Rioja producer. We believe it will find great acceptance among the discerning wine palates in India. We foresee great success for Vina Pomal Reserva and Crianza in Horeca and in the premium retail space. Veranza wines from La Mancha offer very good quality fruit forward wines at sharp pricing and will be greatly accepted across the country.” The Indian consumer travels overseas more than ever before, as a result, they have greater exposure to quality wines from an array of wine producing regions. They are far more attuned to global trends and their preferences. The entry of Codorniu Raventos group stands testament to the progress and promise this leading global producer sees in the Indian market. Pricing for Codorniu Raventos brands in Mumbai and entire Maharashtra Codorniu Clasico Brut NV – 1,990 Rs Vina Pomal Crianza – 2,390 Rs Vina Pomal Reserva – 2,990 Rs Veranza Blanco & Tinto – 1,290 Rs ( Excerpt from a release) 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) Mumbai, India
Nashik vineyards have started entering a pre-harvest stage with ‘veraison’ arriving in Sula’s vineyards at Gangapur. Basically, ‘Veraison’ is one of the most important moments in a grapevine’s annual lifecycle; it’s the onset of ripening, when the grapes turn from green to red and naturally begin to sweeten. Signalling that the harvest is near wine grape growers across the district are reporting that their fruit has begun to change colours, a seasonal rite that signals the region’s 10 lakh metric tonne grape crop is quickly ripening and harvest is approaching. This French term also occurs in white grapes, but without the colour changes–white grapes simply become more translucent. In Nashik, the regular grape harvest is expected to be a bumper one after a sort of slack observed last year. Wineries too are excited and Sula, the biggest winery in India based out of Nashik is planning to crush 15 to 20% more after the harvest this year. “To meet these targets, we have increased our cultivation by 400 acres from 2017 to 2018. A lot of existing farmers with Sula have expanded their cultivation and many more farmers have joined in,” explains Karan Vasani, Senior Vice-President for wine-making and production operations at Sula Vineyards. Sanjeev Paithankar, Senior Vice-president of Public Affairs at Sula Vineyards says, “Since Sula controls almost 65 to 70% of the Indian wine market, what it does impacts the entire wine scenario of the country. We have a very clear domestic focus and about 500 grape growers are working with us today. This year we are hoping to crush 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes of grapes and cross our record-breaking sales figures of 2018 as well.” In the year ending July 31, 2018 Sula Vineyards crossed the 1-million case sales mark. This is the first time that an Indian wine producer has achieved this important milestone. “We are planning to sell almost 1.2 million cases in 2019,” adds Paithankar. Like the last two years, Sula is again expecting an early harvest while the full-fledged harvest process will begin from end of December. Sula has been taking considerate steps to adapt well to climatic changes and since 2016 has been pruning the vines earlier than usual which has resulted in an early harvest. 2016 saw the earliest grape harvest ever witnessed by the country and the same time-frame was continued in 2017 and now in 2018. Wine grape-growers too are elated this year. Laxman Jadhav, a wine grape grower from Pimpalgoan informed that the size of the grape bunch is smaller this time which in fact is a good thing. “Unlike table grapes, the quality of wine grapes is defined by smaller grape bunches. The yield is also expected to be bumper. Sula not only gives farmers an assured income but it also handholds us throughout the process. I was growing vegetables before 2003 which was an unprofitable business, but since I joined the Sula contract farming circle, I have been able to live a better life,” said Jadhav. Similarly, Sula’s efforts to educate the country about wine and propel wine tourism to where it is today is also bearing fruits. The number of visitors to Nashik’s vineyards has been increasing steadily. “We have seen a growth of 15% in the number visitors to our vineyards. Most of them are curious about wine-making and enjoy spending time with their family and friends in these lush locales. We get maximum visitors from Mumbai, Pune, Surat and Ahmedabad,” said Monit Dhavale, Senior Vice-president of Hospitality, Sula Vineyards. (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India India’s leading distributor of premium wines and spirits, Aspri Spirits and AB Celestial, Mumbai’s first luxury floatal hosted an exceptional wine evening with the oldest wine brand established in Bordeaux, Barton & Guestier.The elegant evening presented an opportunity to taste the wonderful diversity of fine French wines and learn more about the brand, region, appellation and its constant quality and style through Mr. Marcos Ignacio, Export Manager, Barton & Guestier. Barton & Guestier is the signature for French wines and is greatly recognised for its character, knowledge and art of living, the core-values that guide their teams and build strong partnerships. On the occasion, Mr. Marcos Ignacio said, “Everyone at Barton & Guestier is proud of the history and is driven by an unrelenting pioneering spirit based on winemaking expertise. The desire to bring you the best quality wine is unquestionably being perpetuated and events like these only bring us closer to our customers.” Mr. Arun Kumar and Mr. Jackie Matai, Co Founders, Aspri Spirits also attended the evening with media, trade and friends.The wines that were savoured were Barton & Guestier Passeport Saint – Emilion, Barton & Guestier Passeport Cotes-du-Rhone, Baron & Guestier Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Barton & Guestier Reserve Merlot, Barton & Guestier Cuvee Speciale Rouge, Barton & Guestier Cuvee Speciale Blanc. ( Exceprt from a press release) Mumbai, India
Aspri Spirits, India’s leading distributor of premium wines and spirits presented an exceptional wine evening to bring together wine lovers and connoisseurs to celebrate 150 years of Carpene Malvolti Prosecco. The evening, hosted at Out of the Blue, Khar, Mumbai, showcased the Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Special Cuvee Brut DOC, a light, fruity wine with scents of acacia flowers, wild strawberries and ripe golden apple. Mr.Domenico Scimone, Global Sales and Marketing Director, Carpene Malvolti , an Italian Sommelier from the brand , presented the visitors a remarkable and enchanting understanding of the brand. He took the audience through the exciting journey of the brand by presenting the brand’s history, the process of making wines, details on their best wines and much more. It was founded in 1868 by Antonio Carpenè, who dreamt to produce a bubbly wine with the grapes harvested from the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. This dream has become a mission: producing high quality sparkling wine at each grape harvest, a dream that is still coming true today, day after day. Produced from grapes grown in the historic production areas of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, it is an aromatic sparkling brut wine with an alcohol content of 11 degrees, produced with the Charmat or Martinotti method, elaborated for the first time by Antonio Carpene for the Prosecco grapes in 1868 Pricing: Delhi – Rs.2500/- Mumbai –Rs.2470/- Bangalore –Rs.1975/- ( Exceprt from a press release) Mumbai, India We The Happy High,one of India's leading wine and spirit education co have launched our own certified wine courses , the Wine 101 for beginners and the Wine Pro for the budding Sommelier. It also offers online courses on wine for the beginnner, essentially the Indian consumer. "With 300 mn cases of beers and spirits each consumed annually in India, wine at a speculative 3 mn cases hardly makes a difference. However the latter is not just restricted to the high society now as the aspirational who because of their travels and general availability is also exposed to the drinks and are taking a liking to it. And this has prompted us to curate the Wine 101 for consumers or young hotel professionals and bespoke Wine Pro courses for hotels Pan- India" says Ajit Balgi, founder at The Happy High The beginners courses are day long and cover basics of wine, including wine tasting, service temperatures, glassware, food and wine pairing. These courses are planned on a regular basis and come at RS 5500 + GST per head. The Happy High certified Wine Pro course is designed for 4 days and is customized for hotels based on their wine lists and the requirements of their wine program and have been implemented at a Marriott hotel and soon at a Taj property. These wine courses will open the doors to the world of wine for you as a consumer and give you a perspective and connect for professionals who want to make a career in wine as a Sommelier or as a Brand ambassador. Kindly drop a line on contact@thehappyhigh.com if you wish to organize a Wine 101 or a Wine Pro course exclusively for your Office, hotel or a hotel management institute. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE WINE COURSE FOR BEGINNERS AT 499 ++ New Delhi
Bira 91, one of the fastest growing craft beer brands, has entered into a major five-year deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The partnership, which runs through 2023, confirms Bira 91 as the official sponsor of - ICC global tournaments including the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, ICC U19 Cricket World Cup and the ICC Women's World Cup. This is the brand's first foray into sports. As an official partner, Bira 91 will integrate the partnership across broadcast and digital platforms, and in-venue activations at all ICC events through their range of products (beer including non-alcoholic beer and hot sauce). Speaking of the partnership, Ankur Jain, Founder & CEO, Bira 91, said, "The ICC partnership is a key moment for Bira 91 as we embark on creating the first global consumer brand to come out of India. A generational 'change of guard' in beer is underway as consumers shift towards beers with more color and flavor. World cricket is undergoing a similar generational change as it expands to more dynamic formats, newer geographies and consumers. We are excited to be part of the 'greatest celebrations of cricket' on the international stage and adding consumer experience driven activations by our innovative and delicious beers." ICC has 104 member countries and continues to expand its global footprint by reinventing the game with the vision of making it more relevant for new spectators. That outreach, including targeting women and young people, matches with Bira 91's ambition and core philosophy: "Imagined in India, for the new world." The brand aspires to drive a global shift in beer towards more flavor and color. Commenting on the agreement, Campell Jamieson, ICC General Manager Commercial said, "As we started negotiating the agreement with Bira 91, the natural overlaps in their ambitions and ours became obvious. Cricket has more than one billion adult fans and is a natural partner for this ambitious brand. The ICC is delighted to welcome Bira 91 on-board as an official partner and into the world cricketing family, and we look forward to working together for the next five years to deliver a strong partnership at ICC global events." Bira 91 grew five times in the last fiscal year (ending March 31, 2018) and has scaled to be comparable to the top 10 craft breweries in the US in terms of volume in only three years since inception. Besides India, the company has expanded internationally to the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and Bahrain, with imminent expansion in the UK and Vietnam. The company expects to expand its production footprint five-fold to 2,000,000 barrels before summer of 2019 from the current capacity of 350,000 barrels. With the global craft beer market projected to reach over $502B by 2025, and the market expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period due to the rising demand for craft beers, Bira 91's growth comes at an opportune time to corner a rising market and reach emerging consumers. Mumbai, India One of Rhone Valley France's most iconic brands Chapoutier is now back in India after an insignificant first attempt. M. Chapoutier has been producing iconic wines from Rhône Valley since 1808 and holds the title for the most awarded wine maker and the record for a 100 point rating from Robert Parker 33 times with top ratings from all other major wine critics. They were most recently awarded the first “World’s Most Admired French Wine Brand” by Drinks International Report 2018. Michel Chapoutier, a true visionary with a deep understanding of the terroir cultivates and harvests the vineyards organically and biodynamically to ensure the wines are the truest expression of the region. The first to introduce braille on their wine labels, this unique feature continues to distinguish their brand from other wines on the shelf. Their passion for wine making and the pride they carry for the Rhone Valley region have been recognised the world over. M. Chapoutier is the preferred French wine brand for worldwide travel retail and airlines like Air France, Emirates, Etihad and Air India to name a few. Today, M. Chapoutier also has vineyards in Australia, Portugal and Spain and exports to over 130 countries around the world. India is the latest addition to their growing global presence. "Our vision is to offer new trends and the finest selection of Wine & Spirit brands to our discerning consumers across the Indian sub-continent. M. Chapoutier is an iconic and top awarded wine producer from France and we are thrilled to bring this historic brand to the Indian market. I do believe the majority of the popular grapes from the Rhône Valley region especially Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Blanc and Viognier offer a great affinity to Indian cuisine. We are confident that the quality and variety of our M. Chapoutier selection will find acceptance and appreciation from the wine lovers in India.” said Sumedh Singh Mandla (CEO – VBev) Edouard Payot the Export Director of the brand who flew in for the occasion to introduce the portfolio to the Indian audience seemed positive and said, “Maison Chapoutier is very excited to start working with VBev for the Indian market and to launch our famous Rhône Valley wines in the market. India is a fast-growing and developing country with more and more wine being imported every year and we sincerely hope to convince the Indian consumers with our terroir-driven and elegant wines. It’s a priority of development for the group Chapoutier and we’re confident that we’ll find our place in this competitive market due to the professionalism of our new partner and the indisputable quality of our wines.” says Edouard Payot Following wines were Showcased: Le Bernardine Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2015 Les Meysonniers Crozes Hermitage 2016 Bila-Haut Cotes Du Roussillion Villages 2017 - MRP 2190 Belleruche, Cotes Du Rhone , Blanc and Rouge - MRP 2590 ( Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India Taj Lands End, Mumbai added yet another jewel in its repertoire of culinary offerings with the re-launch of the Atrium Lounge in a brand new avatar. The launch marked by a grand event that witnessed the magnificent revival of this exceptional offering and evolved into a soiree with Mumbai’s crème de la crème, celebrating. Gracing the event was Mr. Puneet Chhatwal – Managing Director & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), along with other eminent personalities such as Brian Lara, Mukesh Bhatt, Talat and Bina Aziz, Nisha JamVwal and celebrated personalities including Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, Dino Morea, Isha Koppikar, Suchitra Pillai-Malik, Kim Sharma, Harshvardhan Rane and Neha Sharma. Located at the heart of the hotel, the effervescent Atrium Bar & Lounge offers a welcoming retreat from the bustling city life. With a wide selection of first flush teas and single origin coffees along with the signature smoothies, the Atrium Bar & Lounge offers every reason to sit back and relax while the sun sets over Bandra’s charming seascape. For aficionados, eager to experience the finest, Atrium offers the largest selection of whiskeys and spirits from across the world accompanied by iconic concoctions distinctive to the Golden Age. Reminiscent of Mumbai’s dynamic culture, the Atrium Bar & Lounge invites guests to experience the city on their plates. From aromatic street-food to the suave palate of world-cuisine, the menu boasts of a distinct mélange of local and international flavours. The evening came alive to the sound of music and displayed magical performances by renowned artists like Manasi Scott and Keya Pothen coupled with a euphoric camaraderie of the subtle notes of violin and cello. Commenting on the momentous occasion, Mr. Parveen Chander Kumar, Area Director – West and General Manager – Taj Lands End said, “We are delighted to reintroduce our signature bar & lounge, known for its tranquil ambience and delectable culinary experiences. The new avatar encompasses a truly sensational experience in terms of service, décor and flavours. We look forward to our guests partaking in this brand new journey of the Atrium Bar & Lounge .” ( Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai,India Helmed by Gargi Kothari, Rojita Tiwari and Ruchika Agarwal D’souza; Agents of Cheer is India’s only curated Drinks Festival, which provides an opportunity to wine and spirits enthusiasts to taste, explore and savour the world of drinks in a fun and intimate way. The festival has been conceptualized and curated with the objective of offering drink lovers an experience that is unique, exciting and entertaining. The first in the series, Agents of Cheer Vol 1 was held in January 2018 and was a resounding success. The appreciation sessions on wines and spirits, conducted by their expert team members offered the perfect opportunity to learn many intrinsic aspects of both the drinks. The walk-around tastings (40 premium wines and spirits) offered a perfect set-up for the guests to mingle around and savour a wide variety of handpicked wines and spirits while enjoying a live-band performance. Artisanal cheeses, cigars and, art showcases added an extra oomph to the overall experience. With the promise and vision to make Agents of Cheer the most unique, informative and fun event for the discerning consumers and trade, Agents of Cheer Vol 2 washeld on 6th October 2018 at the beautiful setting of Mabruk and Oceans in Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai. The event entailed two in-depth appreciation sessions followed by a walk-around tasting. The appreciation session - Understanding Specific Origin Wines - will be conducted by Gargi Kothari, a wine geek and the founder of Magic Cellars, a company that curates wine experiences. The Spirits Studio session - Learning To Appreciate Gin - will be conducted by Rojita Tiwari, India’s leading beverage professional, wine & spirits journalist and founder of Drinks and Destinations. The Spirits Studio saw premium brands from Bacardi India’s portfolio along with a new spirits category, a Chinese spirit - Baijiu brand called Jiangxiaobai which has entered India and was presented to the consumers for the first time. Baijiu means “white alcohol” with a strong flavour, which is distilled from fermented sorghum. A classy affair had live music performances, stalls showcasing fashion accessories, apparel, works of art, and a delicious line up of appetizers and bar bites as a perfect accompaniment to the wines and spirits. ( Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India The winners of the 2018 India Wine Awards were revealed in a sparkling black-tie event attended by all the luminaries of the wine and hospitality world at The Leela, Mumbai. The dazzling award ceremony, presented by whisky wizard and media personality Anish Trivedi, saw 184 medals in Silver, Gold and Diamond awarded to domestic and international wines,including 30 Best in Class Trophies for outstanding wines in the competition results. The popular Best Wine Pairings with Indian Cuisine category had 10 Trophy Winners emerge from 120 wines,paired with nine dishes such as chicken chettinad and mutton rahra. Raising the bar as the country’s most authoritative wine awards, a special category of Excellence in Restaurant Wine Programs at Hotels and Premium Stand-Alone Restaurants located in the three major consumption centers of Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Bangalore recognised 20 restaurants for a World Class Wine List, 8 restaurants as World Class Wine Destinations and a further 6 restaurants for the best Wine-Trained Service staff. The India Wine Awards, led by the most qualified and foremost wine professionals in India and abroad, is an initiative powered by Sonal Holland, India's first Master of Wine and Founder-Director of SoHo Wine Club. Wines entered in the competition were judged over two days a panel chaired by Sonal Holland, comprising 18 distinguished wine and food experts including Ajit Balgi from The Happy High. To build a strong foundation for Excellence in Restaurant Wine Programs at Hotels and Premium Stand-Alone Restaurants, for the first time in any Indian wine competition an independent panel of five international Master of Wines, including Sonal Holland, was formed to bring their global experience and unmatched expertise to the judging process. The panelists included: • Richard Hemming MW (United Kingdom): London-based wine-writer, educator and Consultant • Ying Hsien Tan MW (Singapore): Singapore’s first Master of Wine and owner of the Taberna Wine Academy • Andrea Pritzker MW (Australia): Sydney-based independent wine consultant, WSET educator, writer and a public speaker • Victoria Burt MW (United Kingdom): Research & Development Manager at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. “Receiving a massive 353 nominations, the India Wine Awards has established itself as the country’s apex wine competition, built on the four pillars of integrity, authenticity, credibility and relevance. It is our commitment to develop India’s wine industry, rewarding excellence. The 2018 India Wine Awards showcases the depth and versatility of Indian wines to the globe, while offering a platform for international labels to reach out to the domestic market. For the urban Indian, wine is a cultural disruptor. Wine has sparked more conversations beyond what we could have ever imagined. Serving as the ultimate consumer guide, the India Wine Awards helps wine consumers navigate a labyrinth of seemingly impossible choices, to select the perfect wine for the occasion." said Sonal. The award ceremony end with some lip-smacking class food from the Leela, Mumbai as they brought in they brought the best out from their restaurants namely Jamavar, Great Wall and their uber luxurious fine dine , the Le Cirque which also won an award that evening. Check the award winners for India Wine Awards 2018 here ( Excerpt from a 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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