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When I met Robert Joseph again last month in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, the seat of Mundusvini international wine competition where he is a fellow judge and one of the Directors of the competition, he had a winning smile on his face as he said. ‘I am coming to India during the first week of October and will be travelling with Rajeev (Samant) and launch our Le Grand Noir with Sula as our importer in India.’ Regretting, I won’t be there as I would be in Hong Kong, judging at my 51st international wine competition, I wished him well nevertheless and told him the wines were good-value-for-money and with Sula’s long distribution reach, the Grand Noir (Black Sheep) would do very well in the market.
Robert Joseph is an acclaimed wine writer with around a couple of dozen titles under his belt. He was a co-founder of International Wine Challenge which has since gone on to become one of the largest wine competitions in the world with the co-founder Charles Metcalfe chairing it. Robert has been a prolific wine writer who realised he would not be able to make a livelihood out of writing and decided to get into wine production and marketing by joining hands with Hugh Ryman. (For details), visit.
A range of these wines produced in Minervois, in South France by his partner, a well-known British winemaker who has now settled in France, would be available for tasting at the first-of-its-kind roadshow being organised by Sula Vineyards and Sula Selections, the international trading arm of Sula Vineyards in Delhi (Oct 3), Bangalore (Oct 5) and Mumbai (Oct 7) the three top cities for wine market.
The events are consumer-centric and give a never-before opportunity for wine lovers to taste wines from their imported portfolio as well as domestic. The exposition promises an eclectic mix of 40 wine labels and 15 spirits and plenty of food, good music and flowing conversation, all under one roof. The wines and spirits extend from India to Australia, France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Scotland, Champagne and more.
‘The wines to be showcased will include wines and spirits from their principal- producers including Mud House from New Zealand, Hardys Australia, Trapiche Argentina, Cono Sur Chile, Kumala South Africa, Antica Sambuca Italy, Remy Martin Cognac, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Ruffino Italy, Cointreau France, Don Alejandro Tequila Mexico, Drambuie France, Janus and J Brandy (only in Bangalore), Mount Gay Rum Barbados, St Remy Brandy, Volare Italy, Pitu Cachaca Brazil, Bouchard Aine & Fils France, William Grant & Sons (Hendrick’s Gin, Grant’s, Glenfiddich, Monkey Shoulder - only Mumbai) and Le Grand Noir France’, says Cecilia Oldne-V.P. Marketing for Sula Vineyards and Sula Selections.
‘The people behind the brands, including Robert Joseph will be present at the show looking forward to sharing the brand secrets and taste with the trade, media and consumers. Most brands mentioned will be served in all cities but not all’, she adds.
Globe in a Glass-Roadshow 2016 is Sula’s first ‘roadshow’ of its kind- where the wines (and spirits) imported or produced are being showcased in different cities. However, the trend was started by Fratelli which organised a mega event at the Hyatt Regency in Delhi two years ago when it added imported wines to its domestic portfolio. Last November was even bigger as producers from several countries came to present their wines. The same Soiree is slated again for November 5 although it will be a trade event.
Brindco, the biggest wine importer recently showcased over 60 wines from the portfolio at the first delWine Excellence Awards co-organised by Indian Wine Academy at Hotel Pullman Aerocity last month. In conjunction with La Cave modern retail outlet, the importer is organising an even bigger extravaganza at The Oberoi Gurgaon on October 14-16 where winemakers and producers from a dozen countries are expected to present around 100 wines to consumers.
With the wine market showing a somewhat steady growth during the last 18 months, producers and especially importers are smelling better market and vying to increase their share. Events like this are a win-win for both the businesses and consumers. There has been no better time to indulge in wine and engage your senses and pick up free gyan at the soirees which are being organised, starting from Sula’s Globe in a Glass at the Lodi-Restaurant Garden on October 3. (Fratelli has had the event only with trade and media so far. When they expand it to include the customers, we shall inform you through the newsletter and our website
Who says wine culture in India is not growing? And Steadily! Such Road Shows, Wine Affairs and Soirees are just accelerating the process.
For tickets and details for Sula event, contact directly the Sula events team at events@sulawines.com. For the Delhi event which is being organised at Lodi-the Garden Restaurant, opp Mausam Bhavan, please call 98218-97220.
Subhash Arora |