DIAMOND WINNERS
Chêne Grande Réserve 2015, India Grover Zampa Soirée Brut Rosé 2015, India Sula Dindori Viognier 2018, India Reveilo Nero d'Avola 2017, India SDU RESERVA 2014, India Le Volte dell’Ornellaia 2015, Italy Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie NV, France Joseph Drouhin 'Drouhin-Vaudon' Chablis Reserve de Vaudon 2015, France Torres Mas La Plana 2012, Spain Boscoselvo Brunello di Montalcino 2010, Italy Susana Balbo CRIOS Torrentes 2017, Argentin Zonin, Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore DOC, Italy Framigham Pinot Noir 2015, New Zealand Domaines Barons De Rothschild Réserve Spéciale Pauillac, Franc GOLD WINNERS Masi Masianco Pinot Grigio 2016, Italy Erasmo Barbera Garnacha, Chile Chateau d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé, France Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese 2014, Italy Marchesi Antinori Castello della Sala 'Bramito del Cervo' 2016, Italy Cavino Naousa Xinomavro 2015, Greece Cavino Nemea Agiorgitiko 2015, Greece Four Seasons Vintners Reserve Red Wine 2015, India Fratelli SETTE 2015, India Fratelli MS Rosé 2017, India Fratelli MS Red 2017, India Fratelli Sauvignon Blanc 2018, India Fratelli Chenin Blanc 2018, India Fratelli Sangiovese 2017, India Good Earth Bleu NV, India,Good Earth Antaraa NV, India Good Earth Basso NV, India Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection White 2017, India Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection Red 2015, India Grover Zampa Art Collection Viognier 2018, India Grover Zampa Art Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2018, India Grover Zampa Soirée Brut Magnifique 2016 , India La Réserve Red 2016, India Sensi Campoluce, Chianti DOCG (Organic) 2016 , Italy Sensi Collezione Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2016, Italy Sensi Collezione Nero d'Avola IGT Sicily 2015, Italy Sensi Collezione Chianti DOCG 2016, Italy Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja DOCa 2015, Spain Bodegas Faustino VII Rioja DOCa 2015, Spain Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Les Traverses, Ventoux AOC 2016 , France Bodegas Portia Roble, Ribera del Duero 2016, Spain Château Goumin Blanc 2015, France KRSMA Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, India KRSMA Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2017, India Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition Brut , France Campo Viejo Tempranillo 2017, Spain Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017, New Zealand Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Italy De Bortoli Noble One 2013, Australia Reveilo Sangiovese 2017, India Reveilo Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, India SDU DEVA Chenin Blanc NV, India SDU Trilogy 2014 , India SDU Deva Syrah 2014, India Soma Vineyards Rosé Gold 2018, India Sula Rasa Cabernet 2016, India Sula Brut Chardonnay, India Sula Chenin Blanc Late Harvest 2018, India Sula Chenin Blanc Reserve 2017, India Sula Sauvignon Blanc 2018 , India Sula Zinfandel Rosé 2018 , India Sula Rasa Shiraz 2016, India Sula Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2017, India Kadu Sauvignon Blanc 2018, India Kadu Chenin Blanc 2018, India Kadu Cabernet Shiraz 2017 , India Bouchard Aîné & Fils Chablis A.O.C., France Bouchard Aîné & Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay A.O.C., France Ferrari Brut NV, Italy Tenuta Sant Antonio Scaia Red 2015, Italy Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand Thelema Shiraz 2014, South Africa,York All Rounder White 2017, India York Rosé 2018, India SILVER AWARD WINNERS Barton & Guestier Reserve Merlot, France Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Chardonnay, Chile Nederburg The Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, Spain Donnafugata, Sedàra IGT Sicilia Nero d'Avola, Italy Carpene Malvolti Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut, Italy Pampas del Sur 'Select' Shiraz Malbec, Argentina Peter Lehmann Portrait Eden Valley Riesling 2016, Australia Doña Paula Malbec 2017, Argentina Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz 2016, Australia Masi Levaire Soave Classico 2016, Italy Selbach Riesling 2016, Germany Maison du Sud Merlot 2016 , France Maison du Sud Sauvignon Blanc 2016, France Brancott Estate Pinot Noir 2017, New Zealand Jacob's Creek Reserve Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2017, Australia Cape Dreams Pinotage 2016, South Africa Four Seasons Chenin Blanc 2018, India Four Seasons Blush 2018, India Four Seasons Shiraz 2017, India Fratelli Cabernet Franc – Shiraz, India Fratelli MS White 2017, India Fratelli NOI, India Fratelli Chardonnay 2018, India Fratelli Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, India Fratelli Classic Chenin, India Fratelli Classic Shiraz, India Fratelli Classic Merlot, India Casablanca Rosé Spumanté NV, India Casablanca Frizzano Semi Dry NV, India Casablanca Frizzano Extra Dry NV, India Casablanca Vino Spumanté, India Grover Soirée Brut, India Grover Art Collection Shiraz Rosé 2018, India Grover Art Collection Chenin Blanc 2017, India Grover Art Collection Cabernet Shiraz 2017, India Sensi Prosecco Pure 18K Gold Brut 2017, Italy Vintales Bloomin’ Late Muscat 2017, South Africa Vintales Last Call Shiraz 2017, South Africa Sensi Collezione Merlot, Toscana IGT 2016, Italy Sensi Collezione Pinot Grigio, Veneto IGT 2016, Italy Sensi Collezione Vermentino, Toscana IGT 2016, Italy Chateau Bonnet, Entre Deux Mers AOC 2015, France Chateau Goumin, Bordeaux Rouge AOC 2015, France Sensi Pinot Noir Rosé Pure 18K Gold Brut NV, Italy Sensi Collezione Pinot Noir Veneto IGT 2016, Italy, Paul Jaboulet Aîné Syrah 2015, France Campo Viejo Blanco 2017, Spain Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Pinot Noir, New Zealand Reveilo Chardonnay Reserve 2016, India Reveilo Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2016, India SDU Deva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, India SDU Winemakers Selection 2014, India Soma Vineyards Zinfandel Red Reserve 2017, India Soma Vineyards Shiraz Reserve 2018, India Soma Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Gold 2018, India Soma Vineyards Rosé Dessert 2018, India Soma Vineyards Shiraz Cabernet Silver 2018, India The Source Grenache Rosé, India Sula Brut NV, India Sula Brut Rosé NV, India Sula Cabernet Shiraz 2017, India Sula Zinfandel 2018, India Sula Chenin Blanc 2018, India Sula Riesling 2017, India Sula Brut Rosé, India Trapiche Old Cask Malbec, Argentina Mud House Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand Le Grand Noir GSM, France Conti Serristori Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy, Cap Royal Bordeaux Supérieur, France Nik Weis St Urbans-Hof QbA Riesling 2016, Germany The Daily Dose Sauvignon Blanc 2017, India Saint Clair Pinot Noir, New Zealand York All Rounder Red 2017, India York Shiraz Viognier 2017, India
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Mumbai, India
WINE LIST AWARDS ONE STAR AWARD 1. Rivers to Oceans, Mumbai 2. The Table, Mumbai 3. The Wine Rack, Mumbai 4. San:Qi, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai 5. Kebabs and Kurries, ITC Grand Central Mumbai 6. Romano’s, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar 7. Fratelli Fresh, Renaissance Mumbai 8. Artisan – French Bistro, Sofitel Mumbai BKC 9. Le Cirque Signature, The Leela Mumbai 10. Luna, The St. Regis Mumbai 11. Caprese, Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru 12. Le Cirque Signature, The Leela Palace Bengaluru 13. Le Jardin, The Oberoi Bengaluru 14. The Wine Company, Gurugram 15. The Hong Kong Club, Andaz Delhi 16. Dum Pukht, ITC Maurya New Delhi 17. Pluck, Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity Two Star Awards The Chambers, The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai 2. Wasabi by Morimoto, The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi 3. Le Cirque, The Leela Palace New Delhi WINE DESTINATION AWARD 1. The Wine Rack, Mumbai 2. Romano’s, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar 3. Le Cirque Signature, The Leela Mumbai 4. Toscano, Bengaluru 5. Caprese, Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru 6. Le Jardin, The Oberoi Bengaluru 7. Qla, New Delhi 8. Le Cirque, The Leela Palace New Delhi WINE-TRAINED STAFF AWARD 1. The Table, Mumbai 2. San:Qi, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai 3. Dum Pukht, ITC Maratha Mumbai 4. Dublin, ITC Windsor Bengaluru 5. The Wine Company, Gurugram 6. Honk, Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity From 11–15 March 2019 all eyes will be on Antwerp, where the prestigious world championship competition of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (A.S.I.) will be held. Sixty-five sommeliers from sixty-two countries will vie for the crown of the worldwide brotherhood/sisterhood of sommeliers/sommelières at the fiftieth anniversary edition of the sommelier Olympics. And who will be there leading the way? Wines from Austria. International top sommeliers focus on Austrian wine As a longstanding partner of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale – of which the Austrian Sommelier Union has been a member since 1988 – the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) has been granted the unique opportunity to participate – along with Inter Rhône – as a platinum sponsor. This means that a wide range of Austrian wines from all of the winegrowing regions will be presented to the competing top sommeliers and the attending international journalists during the tournament from 11–15 March. At every lunch and every dinner – all the way up to the gala feast after the grand finale – and at the conclusion of every day in the ‘bar des sommeliers’, as well as in two master classes for the sommeliers and members of the trade. For five days, Austrian wines will be able to shine on the stage of the world’s finest sommeliers and before the avid eyes of international wine journalists – which is sure to heighten interest in the small wine-land and its great wines. Return to Belgium after fifty years The A.S.I. was founded in 1969 with the objective of helping sommeliers all over the world to reach new levels of achievement in their profession. That same year, the very first Concours de Meilleur Sommelier du Monde was held in Brussels. Fifty years later, the sommelier world championship – held only once every three years – returns to Belgium, where the highly coveted title ‘A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World’ will beconferred upon the victor. Great media interest in the title match There will be sixty-five top-drawer international sommeliers competing, who must already have emerged victorious from elimination rounds in their own countries, in a five-day marathon of tastings. Among the contestants will be Austria’s top sommelier, who will be named on 5 November at the ‘Best Sommelier of Austria 2018’ competition. The world championship programme will feature several written tests of knowledge and blind tastings, as well as examinations in facets of wine service and awareness of the international wine market. At the finale on 15 March in Antwerp’s ‘Konigin Elizabethzaal’, the final three candidates must ultimately prove their capabilities in front of some 2,000 attendees. ( Excerpt from a press release) Bengaluru, India Celebrating the global success of the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection, Grover Zampa Vineyards along with the legend Mr. Vijay Amritraj, hosted an experiential evening over fine wines and conversations at Skydeck, Shangri-La Bangalore on 6th September, 2018. The event, full of fine wines, conversations and delectable meals prepared by the talented chefs at Shangri-La, witnessed socialites, wine aficionados and industry stalwarts who gathered to honor the various achievements earned by the VA collection. “It has been my utmost pleasure being associated with Grover Zampa Vineyards, witnessing the rising recognition received by the brand in India and overseas. With the growing appreciation for the collection, we are positive about the winning streak to continue with a lot more accolades flowing in.” said Amritraj, Ranked among India’s finest wines, the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection, launched in 2014 in London, marks a distinctive association between sports and wine. The wines, a perfect mélange of inimitable diversity and smoothness, have earned worldwide recognition with 22 distinguishable awards. The most recent recognition garnered by the collection was the gold medal bagged by the red variant at the much-acclaimed Asian Wine Review 2018 in Hong Kong. The review also conferred Grover Zampa Vineyards the Best Asian Winery. While the brand is already internationally available in USA, UK, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Singapore; it was recently launched in Dubai earlier this year. Vivek Chandramohan, CEO, Grover Zampa Vineyards opined, “It has been a matter of great pride to have associated with Mr. Vijay Amritraj to co-create and produce some of the finest wines that are representative of the Indian terroir. The accolades bestowed upon the collection over the years are a testament of the immense passion and dedication invested in their production. We are committed to providing our patrons with the best experiences always.” ( Excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India Aspri Spirits, leading importers and distributors of some of the finest brands in the world of Wines and Spirits, recently launched the American Craft Vodka brand, Tito’s Handmade Vodka in India. Today, they celebrated the launch by hosting John McDonnell, Managing Director International, Fifth Generation, Inc., Home of Tito’s Handmade Vodka. This exclusive evening was for Trade and Industry partners, Media, Bloggers and Celebrities. The launch was co-hosted by designer Rocky S at his baroque-style bar Rocky S Cocktail Bar. The guests were seen enjoying the ambience while savoring the signature cocktails that were specially curated for the evening like: Tito’s American Mule, Tito’s All Time Favourite, Tito’s Lemonade and Tea and a few others. Discussing the plan for Tito’s Handmade Vodka in India John McDonnell said “India is a diverse market and with the Indian audience evolving and discovering global tastes and trends, we are positive that the brand will be loved and accepted by the Indian consumers”. Jackie Matai and Arun Kumar Co-founders, Aspri Spirits said “We are excited to have partnered with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and are confident that the Indian consumer will patronize Tito’s”. The guests enjoyed the soft, smooth and crisp finish of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which is made using Corn and undergoes distillation six times in Pot Stills. Distilling from Corn makes the Vodka naturally Gluten - Free. The water that Tito’s uses is locally sourced and much of it is naturally filtered through limestone. Tito’s is priced at Rs 3650 in Mumbai, Rs 3550 in Delhi and Rs 4500 in Bangalore. Titos’s is already available at all major Duty Free shops at airports in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and others. (Excerpt from a press release) Vienna, Austria What to expect of 2018 vintage Austrian wines?
(Excerpt from a press release) William Grant & Sons, the 130 year-old family run Scottish distiller, today announced a deal with Modi Distilleries Limited to bottle and launch Grant’s Blended Scotch whisky in India.
Under the terms of the deal, Grant’s Scotch Whisky will be shipped in bulk from Scotland to Modi’s distillery at Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh, where it will be bottled and packaged before being sold nationwide. The brand will initially be sold from September in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra, Telengana, Goa, Karnataka and Maharastra. According to IWSR global forecasts, India is expected to be one of the largest contributors to global whisky growth over the next 5 years. The Blended Scotch market in India is expected to grow to 5 million cases by 2021. Currently the scale of the market for Scotch brands bottled in India is ten times larger than those bottled in Scotland and imported. James Pennefather, Managing Director William Grant & Sons India Pvt Ltd, said “This marks an important next phase of William Grant & Sons’ India market entry strategy. Having already established a successful portfolio of imported premium spirits such as Glenfiddich, Monkey Shoulder and Hendricks Gin in India, we decided that this is the right time to enter local production in the market. It is the first time that William Grant & Sons has entered local production in India, so we are delighted to be partnering for this with an established local family business, Modi Distilleries.” Abhishek Modi, Executive Director Modi Distilleries Limited, said “This association with William Grant & Sons is a natural fit for our Company, since we have already established our quality credentials with brands such as Rockford Reserve and Artic Vodka. We look forward to working with William Grant & Sons to bring its leading international brand Grant’s Blended Scotch whisky to a new audience.” (excerpt from a press release) Mumbai, India Aspri Spirits, India’s leading distributor of premium wines and spirits, hosted a special evening to bring together Campari lovers to celebrate Negroni Week at the Italian restaurant CinCin, BKC. The week-long international charity event is being hosted in bars and restaurants across the world to raise money for charitable causes. Guests started with a Classic Negroni which is the 2nd Best Selling Cocktail in the world moving on to the other offerings at the event. The guests included India’s favourite female bartender Shatbhi Basu, Bollywood Makeup Artist Clint Fernandes and Sandhya Shetty, Model, Actor & Commonwealth Karate Gold Medal Winner amongst many other known faces from the industry. Joining the movement, Mr. Jackie Matai, Co-founder, Aspri Spirits said, “We started hosting Negroni Week in India since 2015 and have continued to progress. This year, we have 103 bars participating across the country and have also rank 2nd in Asia. With the modern cocktail movement continuing to expand, the annual event has grown larger every year, with Negroni Week 2018 set to be the biggest yet. Starting with 100 participating bars in 2013, last year’s Negroni Week welcomed the involvement of 7,770 venues in 60 countries to raise a phenomenal $1.5 million for charitable causes since the launch. This year India alone has over 103 bars hosting the charitable event. RECIPE FOR CLASSIC NEGRONI As a globally consumed classic cocktail, the prestigious IBA Official Drink List states Campari is the key defining ingredient. Ingredients:
Instructions:
Mumbai, India After being under development for a couple years, we are proud to officially announce the launch of the York Shiraz Viognier 2017. The York Shiraz Viognier is a new world style wine inspired from the blend commonly made in Cote Rotie in the Northern Rhone Valley. The two grape varieties have been co-fermented together along with the skins for 15 days to achieve flavour integration from the beginning of the process. Post alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the wine has been aged in French oak for 6 months to supplement the varietal fruit characters and structure of the wine. The blend of the two varieties is 90% Shiraz & 10% Viognier. The floral, spicy & peach flavours that are natural to the Viognier grape add a new dimension to the powerful & peppery Shiraz especially when fermented together. Apart from being an enjoyable drink on its own, this wine is particularly suited to Indian food. This wine is priced at an MRP of Rs.750 in Maharashtra & Delhi. It will first be available at the Tasting Room at York Winery followed by release in rest of Maharashtra & Delhi in the coming month. (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India A spirited soiree at The Leela Mumbai saw the launch of two iconic brands from the same distillery tucked away in the islands of Scotland. The single malt Bruichladdich Classic; an unpeated outlier from the land and the Botanist a dry gin flavoured with 22 botanicals were launched by famed Mixologist Yangdup Lama in the presence of whisky lovers and specialists from the beverages industry. Bruichladdich the outlier also shows its wild side with the Octomore ,a 160 ppm peat monster but is yet to launch in the country. The non-chill filtered malt was best enjoyed with a few drops of water and went well with the range of appetizers showcased by the hotel. The evening started with G&T's and sushis and ended with old-fashioned, drams of the laddie and chocolates. The Bruichladdich and the Botanist are imported and distributed by Sula Selections the import arm of Sula are now available in Maharashtra Mumbai, India
The iconic Goan beer King's now owned by Sachin Joshi's Viiking Ventures has now launched the strong variant King's Maxx and would be available across Goa and Maharashtra very soon, with the rest of the states not too far. Being brewed in Goa, the beer holds a signature taste and has been a preferred choice for the beer lovers. Just last year, the group won the prestigious ‘Iconic Brands Of India’ award for Goa King’s Premium Pilsner and they intend to emulate the same success with their new SKU - MaXX ( Excerpt from a release) Mumbai,India BACARDÍ launched BACARDÍ House Party Sessions this year to bring to the world tomorrow’s musical sensations. Unlike most recording labels, BACARDÍ House Party Sessions offers a partnership that will foster each artists’ growth by providing them the right mentorship and opportunities coupled with provision of dedicated time to work on their future tracks and albums with dedicated studio time. The first leg of the BACARDI House Party Sessions campaign witnessed the announcement of its winner’s (RITVIZ, MojoJojo and Aarya) huge success with the launch of the first track UDD GAYE by RITVIZ which garnered over 3 million views and is the 4th trending track across all genres on Apple Music, after topping the charts. After the massive success of the first BACARDÍ house party anthem ‘UDD GAYE’, BACARDÍ House Party Sessions brings you the next epic track - Chak Bass (https://youtu.be/71yeChlLjrE) by MojoJojo. Known for his distinctive brand of crossover music and fine handlebar moustache, MojoJojo aka Akshay Johar, is one of the four winners of the BACARDÍ House Party Sessions hosted by All India Bakchod (AIB) and Nucleya and this is the second music video release of the Sessions campaign.The fun and peppy track depicts a scenario in a rundown warehouse in a typical Mumbai setting where a high stakes carom championship is underway but events take a surprising turn. Commenting on the Sessions campaign, Mr Anshuman Goenka, Marketing Head, BACARDÍ India says, “We are ecstatic looking at the overwhelming response that RITVIZ’s work has witnessed. UDD GAYE has become a sensation all over and this is the kind of leap that we aim to provide to our artists. Taking a step further in the direction, we are extremely excited to announce the launch of the second track- Chak Bass by MojoJojo. We are sure that this track will be equally loved by our audience and get us closer to our goal of bringing on board the right mix of experiences and opportunities to take the house party culture a notch higher in the music space. As a constant endeavour, we will continue to discover more such talented artists and help them along their journey. We have been globally known to foster talent and would like to reiterate our commitment to the world of music through BACARDÍ House Party Sessions.” (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India
Folonari wines from the house of Gruppo Italiano Vini were showcased over a relaxed lunch in Bandra. Mr Maurizio Bertacchini their Asia rep who was on the Indian market visit waxed eloquent about the wines and said, "Folonari was started in 1825 and the focus was always to make some good quality wine at an affordable price" . The Pinot Grigio was refreshing and was a good start to the Sunday brunch. The Valpolicella and Pinot held forts and showed good value at their price points. Rikshit Parsan of Ace Beveragez the importer of Folonari ensured the glasses were full at all times and the afternoon extended into early evening! (Excerpt from a release) Mumbai, India Austrian wines are not very known in India, the reasons are many however once you get a taste of Austrian wines, you wouldn't get enough. Recently Michael Moosbrugger of the iconic wine house Schloss Gobelsburg was in Mumbai to enthrall a select group on the wines from their estate. Schloss Gobelsburg is the oldest winery in the Austrian Danube area with a documented history back to the 12th century. Since its establishment the winery has been one of the leading producers in the region and throughout Austria. Located in the Danube area 45 min west of Vienna, the winery’s most important varieties are Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The estate was run by monks till 1994 before it was taken over by the Moosbruggers in 1996 and since then winery has grown manifolds. Michael who introduced the 'Dynamic celllar' or the 'cellar on wheels' concept was awarded by the Austrian Fine Wine Magazine ‘Falstaff’ ‘Winemaker of the year 2006’, In 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 the winery was awarded by the American ‘Wine & Spirits’ magazine as ‘Top 100 Winery of the year’. The wines brought to India by Aspri Spirits showcased that evening included Domaine Gobelsburg Kamptal Gruner Veltliner, Schloss Gobelsburg Zweigelt and Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling. The evening was delightful with beautiful wines and conversations with Michael Moosbrugger. Mumbai, India The 10th of December, 2017 will the first ever International Aszú Day. Tokaj Aszú one of the greatest sweet wines of the world comes from the Tokaj wine region is situated in North East Hungary at the foothills of the Zemplén Mountains, along the rivers Bodrog and Tisza; the world’s first delimited wine region since 1737. How is the sweet wine made? Thanks to the special microclimate of the wine region the onset of Botrytis cinerea or noble rot responsible for the shrivelling of berries is an almost certain occurrence each year though admittedly with varying degrees of intensity.Once the liquid matter has evaporated the aszú berries are macerated in the fermenting juice or base wine of the same vintage for 24-48 hours with regular stirring for proper extraction. Once the maceration is done the aszú paste is removed, pressed and the resulting must is fermented to arrive at Tokaj Aszú. Post-fermentation residual sugar content must reach at least 120 gram/liter. Properly stored Tokaj Aszús can be enjoyed for several decades. A properly stored 20 year old Aszú is still magnificent with slightly transformed flavours, added complexity; it’s easy to see why they are so highly regarded by connoisseurs. However tasting younger Aszús with their more springlike, fresher and brighter profile provides just as much pleasure. Daniel Kezdy , the Man! The idea of the International Aszú Day came from Dániel Kézdy, an avid fan and great expert of Tokaj. Mr. Kézdy has published a book on the wine region in 2014 with the title Tokaj – People and Vineyards which is available both in Hungarian and English. He was also the initiator and organizer of Furmint Február an annual event since 2010, and Hárslevelűk Éjszakája since 2014. The two events are designed to highlight these important Hungarian varieties. It was also Mr. Kézdy who came up with the idea of the International Furmint Day to be celebrated on the 1st of February. "Tokaj wines have been the focus of my interest for 15 years now, I have tasted them alongside their major international rivals and Tokaj Aszús have always been among the leaders of the pack often finishing head and shoulders above the rest. If one takes a closer look at the often neglected category of sweet wines then to my mind there can only be one outcome as far as the winner is concerned. You might say I am biased but I am convinced that it would be a hell of a task to refute me, so I’m not afraid to declare that Tokaj Aszú is the greatest sweet wine in the world and it deserves to be put in the limelight worldwide”, says Kézdy. ( Excerpt from a press release) 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) 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) Nashik, India
York a family run winery is proud to officially announce the launch of the York Sparkling Rose Brut Vintage 2015. 'Its been years in the making but as with every other wine of York, we prefer to put our best foot forward and release a product without any compromises. And compromise we have not!' said the young winemaker and owner Kailash Gurnani. The York Sparkling Rose is a 100% Shiraz sparkling wine. Made in the Traditional Method, this batch has been aged on lees for 18 months and 4 months on cork. A small component of the blend has been matured in oak barrels & it has a residual sugar of 10g/l. Being the first, its a small batch and vintage wine. This wine is priced at an MRP of Rs.1300 in Maharashtra. 'As always, we have stuck to our philosophy of providing the best possible value wine to our consumers in both price & quality.' added Gurnani The wine will currently go on sale at the Tasting Room of the winery only. Mumbai launch will follow in a months time whilst Delhi will have to wait. 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) Mumbai, India Chandon India announces the launch of Délice – a new sparkling wine variant crafted at the brand’s state-of-the-art winery in Dindori, Nashik. Made with locally-sourced Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, Délice is an irreverent expression that is set to change the manner in which India enjoys its wines. Presenting a sweeter, flavourful taste-profile, Délice can be enjoyed straight up (chilled), on the rocks or with a slice of orange. Speaking about the launch, Stéphane de Meurville – Managing Director, Moët Hennessy India said, “At Chandon India, our endeavour has been not only to gain share of heart, but also to introduce new consumers to the Chandon world. One way in which we will do this is by reaching out to consumers who currently shy away from the traditional Brut and Rose style of drinking. Délice is our next step towards consolidating this vision. While the Indian market loves its bubbles, there is still a strong affinity for sweeter drinks and cocktails. Délice is the result of 2 years of extensive research and development by our team of winemakers led by Gustavo Agostini. We are very proud of this new product from the house of Chandon India which we believe will resonate with the Indian consumer.” Delice is available in Mumbai at Rs 1500 and soon will be available in Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Srilanka 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. |
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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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