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It was indeed an honor for Terroir one to have four of its members including Rojita Tiwari from Ambrosia sharing this unique experience. The programme started following a brief introduction by Shari Staglin, CEO Staglin vineyards, to their 64 acre- one of the largest family owned vineyards and totally organic farming, for the sake of protecting the environment and not to have any organic taste to their wine, in case you misunderstand!
Since 1986 Shari and Garen have been focused on producing the finest possible wine possible from the estate. With severe thinning and organic viticulture practices their annual production is less than 7,000 cases. It is one of the largest single vineyards owned by a family without any other partners or outside investors, informed Shari in the brief before commencing the guided tasting.
We started off with a serving of the Staglin Salus (pronounced like sah-loos) Chardonnay 2007. This medium bodied wine purely golden in color had an aroma of lemon zest, citrus blossom, honeysuckle and pears with a hint of butterscotch n roasted almonds. The first attack was that of a crisp lemon with a balanced mid palate flavour of pears and apples ending in a tangy oak inflected finish. The flavours were enchanting once the wine came to the right temperature on swirling for a bit.
Then the move to the Salus Cabernet Sauvignon2006 was made. This wine opened with a profuse nose reminiscent of plums and blackberry and cherries .It melted into a mid palate rich with its flavours. The taste definitely enhanced once I had with a mouthful of bread. The wines could have tasted better if had been paired with some aperitifs. The annual production is 6000 cases of which 70 percent are sold online to private buys. Only 30percent is distributed through other sources.
These wines will be seen and sold at The Four Seasons for now and at a fairly decent price considering their exclusivity, we were told by Vishal Kadakia, the importer who had organised the exclusive tasting for us.
Shari and Garen are focused on producing the finest wines possible and are proud to turn wine into good deeds through the many charities they support. The Staglin Music Festival for mental health itself raised $53 million for mental research!! In fact, the profits from Salus Cabernet and Salus Chardonnay sales underwrite 100% of the costs of the Music Festival, according to the benevolent couple.
I must say Cheers or Salud (or maybe Salus!) to both these good people and the fine wine they produce!!!
Bindu Malhotra
President, Terroir One
(Mumbai Chapter of Delhi Wine Club) |