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 This is no April Fool’s Day offer; a genuine sparkling wine promotion starts from April 1 lasting throughout April. Five sparkling wines from Spain, Italy and Chile will be offered for a special price of Rs. 475 inclusive of all taxes. The good news is that the offer is available at all restaurants-361, Amaranta, Piano Bar, Belvedere and the Patisserie- although the offer is valid till 6 pm in all the restaurants barring Patisserie where it will continue till 10 pm.
Here are the five wines with a picture of four. Rakesh insists that you have to be there physically to see and appreciate the fifth bottle:
Gramona Gran Reserva Cava 2009 – made from the typical grapes allowed by DO Cava, Macabeo-Parellada-Xarello and Chardonnay, it’s an elegant Cava with creamy texture, fresh and crisp. Many Cavas in Spain are made from the same vintage. You will enjoy the crisp, mouthfeel and the brioche character of the 2009 vintage being served.
Collavini Il Grigio Spumante NV is a blend of Chardonnay and as the label suggests-Pinot Grigio. Collavini is a reputed producer in Friuli. The wine is a cool climate wine full of citrus notes, green apples and white peach, dry and very crisp in the month.
Ferrari Rosé NV is produced by the much-awarded Trentino-based winery which is really in fashion these days. Made from the premium grapes of Champagne –Chardonnay) (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), this salmon pink colour bubbly is a winner all the way. We recommended it last October for champagne lovers when it was at Rs.795 a glass in Oberoi Patisserie! At Rs. 475 AI it is a bargain basement price for what might be considered the best Italian sparkling wine in the basic range, with an enviable pedigree and a clear winner. It helps that this wine has won many accolades in the recent past.
Sensi Pink Prosecco 18K Rosé
Even though it’s nomenclature given to me is incorrect- A Rose can never be Prosecco since by law Prosecco must be made from white grape-Glera, made from 100% Pinot Noir and packaged in a beautiful pink bottle, this is a full blooded pink colour with lovely berry aromas. The bottle will put you in a very romantic mood and you will perhaps insist on carrying the full bottle home at 475 *5=2375 and even the empty. Very fresh and seductive aromas with berries on the palate. Excellent price as 100% Pinot Nero (Noir) bubblies are rare even in champagne. At this price, you are unlikely to spot it even at a Duty Free shop.
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado Rosé Made from the local grape of Chile, País (known as Mission in California), the most widely grown grape in South Chile, next to Cabernet Sauvignon at the national level, this sparkler has been the result of Miguel Torres' effort to revive a gradually dying variety with uncertain future, being used to make cheap wines. Truly a wine for aficionados, it is much more refreshing and satisfying alternative to ordinary industrial Prosecco and Cavas. The Estelado is fruity but not overly sweet, delicious and very fizzy-a value-for-money fizz.
Editor’s Choice
I would recommend trying all the bubblies during April during a couple of trips. It’s always a good idea to share a glass and get to taste more wines. Ferrari is obviously the best buy and if I am going for drinking (and not tasting) sparkling wine I would order a glass of Gramona and move to Ferrari Rose. Estelado has an interesting background and a lot of toil has gone to make it and one must try it. I have not tasted Sensi but coming from a predominantly Tuscan producer, I would be curious to try it (women would love Sensi and Estelado, I feel). I found Il Grigio an interesting and quite drinking blend –very crisp and vibrant. I would also buy a bottle of Ferrari Rose and quietly sneak it in my bag and bring home for later drinking.
Special offer for FB Members of IWA and delWine subscribers
The offer is open at all restaurants so one must try a glass of sparkling during lunch. But 6 pm may be a bit too early to reach the hotel unless it is a week-end. On my special request and the valid suggestion, Rakesh has agreed to extend the offer for one hour, from 6-7 pm in the wine cellar for the members of the Indian Wine Academy closed Facebook group with 6800 members and any of the 32,000 global subscribers of delWine. Not only that, you might be treated to cheese and hopefully extra munchies in the beautiful wine cellar, and he will also guide you through the drinking and talk about different styles and explain why he chose precisely those five bubblies out of several that they stock in the hotel. Learning opportunities like this ought not to be ignored by wine lovers and those aspiring to improve their palate and get educated at no extra cost.
This is a first-time such opportunity for lovers of sparkling wine and gourmets to try out something different. The offer is for the month of April only. Take advantage and don’t forget to raise a Toast to Oberoi Gurgaon and the General Manager David Mathews who was very supportive of his idea and say...
Jai Ho!
Subhash Arora |