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 Sula has Viognier listed at Benares London, Chenin Blanc at Daniel’s, New York, and Sauvignon Blanc at L’Atelier du Joel Robuchon Tokyo-to name a few. Krsma has its Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc listed in 13 restaurants in New York City including Le Cirque, the Regency and Junoon. Even Grover has introduced its wines at One and Only Dubai as well as Raffles Singapore. These are just a few examples illustrating the current status in the overseas hotels of Indian wines due to the high quality standards set by these companies for themselves and the continuing efforts of branding and export marketing.
Listed now at all the seven restaurants of Hotel Peninsula in Kowloon, swimming pool side and the room-service and currently being sold by the glass is Grover’s Art Series Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2014 which won the International Trophy in this category at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2014, is the latest example of acceptance by the super deluxe luxury hotels. Peninsula is the oldest hotel in Hong Kong and still very vibrant, offering luxury and exclusivity.
The man behind this ‘coup’ has been Dheeraj Bhatia who has been the Chief Sommelier for the super-luxury hotel till very recently, in all its restaurants. He informs delWine from Macau where he is now the Chief Sommelier at the Grand Lisboa but focusing on the beverage service at Robuchon Au Dome 3-Michelin star restaurant, ‘Grover Art Collection Series Sauvignon Blanc 2014 sells by the glass at The Peninsula in all seven restaurants. So if any guest wants a Sauvignon Blanc he has only one option!’
Dheeraj is proud to have introduced the wine at the hotel. He was one of the judges at the DAWA 2014 held last September and was quite impressed by the Sauvignon Blanc which was tasted by him and his panel blind, as always in such competitions. When I met him in October during my visit to Hong Kong to judge at the Cathay Pacific HKIWSC, he told me he was keen to introduce Indian wines in the hotel. Coincidentally, Sumedh Mandla, CEO of GroverZ was going to participate at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Show in November So I suggested to him that he should contact and meet up with Dheeraj. He did so and rest as they say, is history.
He worked with Dheeraj to conduct tastings at different levels. Dheeraj was very pragmatic and smart in introducing the wine. ‘The trick was that I gave this beautiful wine to many Chefs,  Sommeliers , wine makers and Guests in hotel for blind tasting. I conducted some food and wine pairing with the wine and the pairing even became the talk-of-the town. I didn't want people to get influenced by the source and origin of the wine. And that’s how I surprised them,’ he says.
For events and tasting, he worked hard for a special ‘samosa and snacks’ platter and sauvignon pairing using an innovative presentation that included a replica of Taj Mahal he got made from outside to wow the guests.’ I am so proud that I was able to put the wine by-the- glass in the entire hotel.’ The wine-by-the-glass promotion will continue till September at which time it will become a permanent feature by the bottle in the prestigious property.
Robuchon Macau wherehe works now has one of the biggest wine collection with 15,100 labels and more than 600,000 bottles in stock. Perhaps, he will have a crack at introducing the Sauvignon Blanc or the host of award-winning wines from GroverZ here as well. Sumedh would surely be keen to work with Dheeraj. He says, ‘We wanted to be listed and visible at most premium properties across Asia. This I feel is critical to put Indian on world wine map.’ He adds, ‘we are also working towards listing our wines in at least one top Michelin 3- star restaurant and once we achieve this, I will share this news with you.’
Indian wines are marching ahead. The quality wine producers are focused and don’t necessarily want subsidies and grants from the government. They just want it to appreciate wine and wine business and would like to see simplified procedures. Presence in such properties is an indicator of the hotels and their guests having confidence in Indian wines. Perhaps more bureaucrats and politicians should eat at these restaurants and order Indian wine when they travel abroad. This may help change the mindsets.
For earlier articles, please visit:
GroverZ creates History winning International Trophy at DAWA
Dheeraj Bhatia: Story of a Successful Sommelier
KRSMA Wines Set Foot in New York City
Subhash Arora |