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 Round tables adorned the centre of the modest yet elegant ballroom. A projector on one end and a spread of the choicest of eats on the other, balanced the evening which was both educational and fun.
Sonal Holland’s presentation touched upon the evolution of the American wine industry along with other important aspects relevant to the West Coast wine industry. Her prowess as a wine expert was further demonstrated by her effectiveness in providing a strong overview of West Coast wines in just a few slides. Having lived in the California Bay Area for close to six years, I am fairly familiar with wines of the region and was truly impressed.
The wines tasted were:-
Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2012: Sustainably farmed, the wine has a crisp acidity to it with flavours of lemongrass and kiwi. The wine is medium-bodied with a smooth and lingering finish. The blend is 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Semillon, 1% Muscat. Alcohol is at 13.5%. MRP Rs. 3,987
Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2011: With flavours reminiscent of apple and tropical fruit, this wine is medium-bodied with subtle oak and fruit forward. Alcohol is at 14.2%. MRP Rs. 9,269
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Pinot Noir 2012: This ruby red wine is a fruit forward wine with cherry and raspberry notes, and a tinge of vanilla (due to oak aging) giving it a spicy and exciting finish. Alcohol is at 13.5%. MRP Rs. 3,641
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Zinfandel Mendocino County 2011: A truly luscious wine where good mouthfeel, strawberry and blackberry flavours dominate the palate. It ends with a spicy and lingering finish. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Carignan and Merlot. Alcohol is at 14.5%. MRP Rs. 3,170
Erath Oregon Pinot Gris 2013: Fruit-forward with aromas of banana, lime and several other fruits, this wine has a clean finish. Alcohol is at 13%. MRP Rs. 2,831.
Two Vines Columbia Crest Merlot Washington State 2008: Delicious, fruit-driven and well-balanced, this merlot is reminiscent of blackberry and raspberry and provides a lingering finish. Alcohol is at 13.5%. MRP Rs. 2,088
Along with other West Coast wines, these six wines are already present in the Indian market and have found favor on Indian palates. On being asked as to what prompted this specific selection, Holland says, “We wanted to demonstrate that U.S. wines are all about value at all price points.”
 In the U.S., wine is considered an agricultural product. This is the first time that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organized an event promoting wines. On being asked as to what the true purpose of the evening was, Adam Branson (Senior Agricultural Attache) says, “Every year, the USDA showcases agricultural products. We want to join the wine sector in India and this event is to promote and educate about West Coast wines as we want to participate in the growth of wine culture in India.”
All the six wines were versatile as they not only have the potential to pair perfectly with Indian and other cuisines, but also because they serve well as quaffing wines. They are true gems bound to find a further loyal consumer base in India.
Rishi Vohra CSW
Rishi Vohra is the Mumbai Correspondent of delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) from the Society of Wine Educators - USA. He has done an MBA in Sustainable Business from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law from WWF-India. His debut fiction novel, ‘Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai,’ is a bestseller and his next novel ‘HiFi in Bollywood’ hits bookstores in January 2015. He can be contacted at wineguymumbai@gmail.com. |