|  Two years after launching in Mumbai, Ashwin Deo launched the Turning Point wines last month in Delhi as well. Five variants-Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz are available in about 12 select stores in Delhi. The packaging is very innovative and attractive. The bottles have a completely silver sleeve cover that hide the contents but make the display of the label which is part of the sleeve, look very impressive. Besides the usual information, the label highlights the characteristics of the wine inside, even if more on the poetic side. For instance, if the Rose is Sensuous, Summery and Sassy, the Shiraz is Spicy, Smooth and Sublime!! Besides, the colours on the bottle help in easily identifying if it is red or white inside (the green cap and matching colour scheme is for white, for instance). All the wines are screw-capped.
Ashwin bats well when thrown the googlies about the bottles looking like vodka or other liquor bottles. He says the wine is targeted at the younger audience who like the chic look on the product packaging and react better to the ‘new age’ stuff and would react more positively to this kind of packaging. In fact, to engage the younger clientele, he has created what he calls Bottle Art. He should know! After doing a long stint with Moet Hennessey India and with 25 years of experience in the wine and spirit industry, he is very optimistic about the acceptance of the wines. ‘We would have liked to introduce much earlier the wines which are very popular in Mumbai, but we wanted to set feet on the ground in our local Maharashtra market first. Besides, the entry costs are huge in Delhi due to the excise registration and license procedures and the other distributor charges.’
The wines are being retailed in the Rs.500-550 range.
For an earlier related article Launch: Turning Point for ex-Moet India Boss
York Winery has brought out 4 variants - the 2 staple Nashik whites- Chenin Blanc 2013 and Sauvignon Blanc 2013 and the red Cabernet Shiraz 2012 blend; all 3 being in screwcaps and Burgundy bottles. The upper end Estate Bottled Shiraz 2009 is in a Bordeaux styled bottle with the traditional cork and is a barrel-aged wine with a couple of years of further aging recommended for this spicy and premium wine.
 York has been run by Ravi Gurnani but his winemaker brother Kailash Gurnani, who studied in Australia, has been at the helm of wine making for the last 2 years and the quality has seen a jump. York has been perceived as a contract producer making wines for producers and marketers like Good Earth Winery, Turning Point and a a couple of smaller ones from Karnataka using its production facility.
The biggest boost to York came when it signed a contract with Moet Hennessey India 3 years ago and produced Chandon Blanc and Chandon Rose under the supervision of their staff. It was launched in Mumbai in October and in Delhi recently and has been well received. Perhaps emboldened by the glowing tributes from their Australian counterparts, York had decided to exploit its enhanced brand image and enter the Delhi market with 4 labels this year. With Kailash joining the family winery situated close to Sula, and the improved quality, the winery is quite upbeat.
You will generally find the Turning Point and York bottles kept side-by-side at the retail stores. Prices of York wines are similar to Turning point-barring the Reserve which is at around Rs. 800- a decent price for the quality.
With two more wineries/their labels entering the market, there is a wider choice, especially for the youth and those looking for wines for gifting.
Subhash Arora
Tags: Nashik, York Winery, Turning Point, Ashwin Deo, Ravi Gurnani, Kailash Gurnani, Moet Hennessey |