|
Photos By:: Adil Arora
 Wine connoisseurs and tasters in the Delhi NCR never had it so good. With Brindco and La Cave collaborating with Oberoi Gurgaon and Sula organizing the maiden Tasting of its imported wines in Delhi (and Bangalore and Mumbai) last October, wine novices and connoisseurs as also the F & B industry had excellent opportunity to taste several imported wines. But the credit for pioneering this trend for tasting multiple wines by an Indian importer goes to Fratelli Vineyards which started imports in a small way in 2014 and organised an excellent wine tasting evening at The Mansion in October 2014, followed by a bigger evening in November 2015.
Both the events were so successful that the potential invitees now mark the date on their annual calendar so as not to miss it. The fact that there were going to be around 30 wines from 9 wineries and 5 countries (not including India) on January 18 this year at a complimentary event that included multi-cuisine dinner with live stations showcasing all the restaurants of Hyatt Regency, made it perhaps the biggest ever wine tasting event with over 500 persons attending.
 One could hear animated discussions on individual wine preferences from novices and connoisseurs, professionals and the specially-invited consumers alike ; I even overheard a novice who could not decide whether to taste a White or a Chardonnay! The guests were an eclectic mix of wine journalists, bloggers, sommeliers, F & B hospitality industry people and high-ended consumers and socialites who thought nothing less than being at a Page 3 event.
Just as the last time, the event started with Craig Wedge, the Aussie Brand Ambassador of Fratelli welcoming the guests in the foyer bursting at its seems. With a glass of Fratelli Grand Cuvee Brut in their hands, waiting for the main doors to the banquet hall to open, the guests were introduced to the special guest and rock- star of the evening, Jean Charles Boisset, the passionate, flamboyant, Burgundian with savoir faire, now shunting between Burgundy, South of France and California (where his wife Gina Gallo and twine daughters spend most of their time) and where he has bagged three plum wineries –DeLoach, Raymond and Buena Vista during the last 10 years.
 Thrilled to be in India, Jean-Charles Boisset, fondly referred as JCB or James Bond by his friends because of his penchant for emulating the 007 (he is 069- the year of his birth), he has been a proponent of Indian culture and strong believer in the future of wines in India. To the string of his wineries already represented - Fortant, J Moreau and Maison Bonpas, Fratelli has signed up with DeLoach, a family owned-and run winery in Russian River Valley, known for the Pinot Noir. Fratelli has also imported Chardonnay and Zinfandel in the value-for money quality segment. DeLoach was represented by Global Tax- Free a decade ago when it was with the founders, DeLoach family but could not penetrate the market. Fratelli, with the wide distribution network, and armed with the improved quality of wines after JCB took over, is poised to change that. It helps that people in India love good quality, affordable Pinot Noir and Zinfandel pairs well with the Indian cuisine.
There were two additional wineries that are debuting in India through Fratelli. Cecchi is a well known producer in Tuscany, exporting Chianti, Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino for the high-end consumers to India. Their General Manager Leonardo Raspini had visited India in November 2016 when the event was initially planned. However, the date had to be changed due to some administrative exigencies. However, all the four wines presented at the event were the darling of the crowd vying to get a taste of all of them- Brunello di Montalcino being the unequivocal favourite and the first to finish.
 Thanks to the Aussie stamp of Craig Wedge who appears to be well settled in his new role at Fratelli, Australia has also come on the import map with the introduction of Molly’s Cradle- Australia’s boutique winery that sells wines from the more prestigious regions.
The dark horse of the evening was Crémant de Bourgogne Brut 021 and also the Rose Brut equivalent- the Champagne styled bubbly from Burgundy, which won the hearts of those able to find it: it was available only in the first half of the evening and was snapped up by aficionados. A pride of Boisset Family Estates, may initially be difficult to market in India because of the high taxation but the bubbly with an attitude and a unique status could become popular with the well heeled Francophile connoisseurs at the 5-star hotels if they keep the prices lower, since they get it customs Duty-free.
 Hyatt hospitality and service was at its best with hors d’oevres, excellent wine service and delicious dishes at dinner with live stations, though he Menu in each category was rather limited- the lavish dessert spread being a sweet exception. The 3-piece live jazz band was a new welcome addition this time.
Though not surprising, it was heartening to notice the Indian wines holding their heads high with the tables attracting guests at all times. SETTE was unarguably the uncrowned Miss Fratelli India. Also being poured were the super premium VITAE and M/S- initially christened as Masi/Spurrier but later renamed as the Masters’ Selection, bravely competing with their foreign-born cousins. It is regrettable though that a majority of Bloggers/wine writers erroneously describe the label as Master’s Selection, blissfully unaware of the subtle difference between the two.
Fratelli Vineyards also introduced Sette Magnum at the ‘Taste’. It was gratifying that my recommendation to Winemaker Masi five months ago had perhaps some bearing with the decision-it needed to be in Magnum from the very birth. As I had reported in delWine after my previous visit to the winery in Akluj ‘when I told Masi he should have bottled a few hundred  Sette bottles as magnums for storage and further maturing and future vertical tastings etc, he agreed that they should have considered earlier. But now, he had decided to bottle in magnums-but not for Sette’. ‘I have 6 barrels of Cabernet Franc and 6 of Sangiovese maturing in 4 year barrels- by removing the lid and re-sealing it. I propose to put these in  Magnums as I feel they would be beautiful, unique wines,’ he had told me. Apparently, there had been a rethink on the subject since.
Like the previous two editions the ‘Taste of the World 2017’ was a very successful event from many angles, including the promotion of wine drinking culture; several beer and whisky aficionados seemed to enjoy wine for the evening even if it was for selfies or looking fashionable and chic holding perfect shaped wine glasses. The presence of Jean-Charles was a definite added charm.
Despite the high cost of organizing the evening, the event seems to be headed to become a part of the Delhi annual wine calendar for 2018 and thereafter. Although Kapil Sekhri, the Indian Director did not share a timeline, he said the event would be taken to other metros also and that it was still evolving.
One ought to raise a glass to that thought and say, Jai Ho!!
For earlier related Articles, please click:
De Loach Vineyards: Star Winery in Russian River Valley
Fratelli Vineyards: Wining Weekend with Winemaker PM
Fratelli adds Tuscan Cecchi to Imported Portfolio
Fratelli Diversifies into Imported Wines
FRATELLI joins SULA... starts Wine Import
Subhash Arora |