|
 |
| Vin & Vouloir |
Vin & Vouloir belongs to the new generation of Nashik
producers who want to win the palates with quality products. Says Parag
Sarda, CEO Director of the India Food Co. Pvt. Ltd. who own the winery
in Nashik,' We believe that there is a niche market which is sandwiched
by the Indian wines and premium imported wines. We plan to bring out premium
products but at affordable prices.
In the very first year the company has brought out 7
labels. There are the staple Chenin and Sauvignon Blancs, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Zinfandel, Shiraz, Cab-Shiraz blend and a Rose which won the bronze at
the IWC.
An important and pleasing feature of the V&V wines
is the lower alcohol level; maximum being 13.5%, most being 13%. A majority
of wineries of Nashik are touching 14% and more, not a desirable trend.
Alcohol control could be perhaps the handiwork of their international
consultant winemaker David Rowe from Bordeaux, where lower alcohol rules
the roost.
When I met David in Mumbai, I almost blurted 'Bonjour,'
but his warm hello gave away his British background. Dave is a Brit living
in Bordeaux for the last 15 years. He is an international consultant who
helps producers in Cosavo as well as many importers in UK.
Launched barely a month ago on December 20 in Mumbai,
V&V had a thumping start in Mumbai, says an excited Parag. 'Our wines
are already being sold in 70 shops in Mumbai alone.' He may look very
unassuming and is a low-key guy, but is very firm in his conviction to
produce only quality wines.
 |
| David Rowe-winemaker consultant |
Quality is where David comes in. And come in he does-
at least once a month to India. He left Mumbai last week only to come
back on February 5th again to supervise the white wine grape crush. Talking
to delWine he said, 'I believe the winemaker or consultant must be in
constant touch with the vineyard and winery and should stay committed
to the winery and not just make flying visits around harvest time, once
a year and then disappear.'
He is very pleased with the awards at the India Wine
Challenge. 'Our labour and efforts have produced results. This will encourage
us to maintain high standards for the future.' Supplements Parag, 'Our
philosophy is to produce only premium wines and stay honest to the label
on the bottle. We use only wine grapes that we declare on the bottle and
those produced in Nashik Valley. We are already in the process of negotiating
for land for our own vineyards.'
Presently, the company is working with contract farmers
for the grapes under its supervision. Being honest to the label may seem
a given, but in the land of Nashik and Maharashtra, laws of the jungle
apply. In the absence of any specific wine laws, some vintners are not
known for their integrity.
Vin and Vouloir are packaged beautifully in Bordeaux
type-bottles. Reds are in dark bottles and the whites in green. To differentiate
between the similar looking attractive labels, red wines display the grape
bunch in burgundy colour, whites are in the green while the Rose is in
shocking pink. Similarly the reds are adorned with gold capsules, whites
with green and the Rose is in Red-so there cannot be any confusion at
the point of sale.
Wines are priced at Rs.450-750 ($11.5-19). Chenin is
at the low end of the spectrum while Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cab-Shiraz
are most expensive. A bit pricier compared to the general trend in the
market. Defending the prices Parag says, ' we have kept the prices slightly
higher, but you must appreciate our premium quality and for the high quality
we offer, the prices are very reasonable.'
It is commendable for V&V to come out with decent
quality, even though their name is too French and quite complex to write,
pronounce or even remember the first few sips (Vin is French for wine
and Vouloir means wish or desire). Robert Joseph, chairman of India Wine
Challenge, gives them thumbs up as newcomer winery and feels it is one
of the promising newcomers on the Nashik wine scene.
Subhash Arora
January 26, 2008
|