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Is it a launch of Lavasa- the new hilly city 3 hours away from Mumbai and an hour’s drive from Pune? Is it a launch for the hotel management school being opened in July this year with the historical Lausanne that has been churning out hospitality graduated since 1893? I am confused. Pour me some more Fransola please! The light to medium bodied Sauvignon Blanc with floral and citrus aromas and tropical flavours from Torres might clear my head.
Mr. Sudhir Andrews, Dean of the Ecole Hoteliere Lavasa has gone through the merits of the new school, its innovative modern approach to learning. He is a bit apologetic about the high annual cost of Rs. 400,000 but is quick to point out that the programme provides the foundation courses here-all under the supervision of the Lausanne faculty and administration- so for the quasi Swiss programme, the amount is not too much; the compulsory hostel stay is included and the already operational Fortune hotel within the campus will provide on the job training from day one. In any case, getting 600 students in 4 years (it is a 4-yar course) should be no problem even in the recession hit India.
The faculty is being trained completely by Lausanne senior faculty. Louis Lim, the senior faculty member from the parent school is here to conduct the Wine Appreciation Evening with five Torres wines.
Again my head starts to spin. What is the Torres connection with Lavasa? ‘Very simple’ explains Sumit Sehgal, Chief General Manager of Prestige Wines which imports Torres, the ubiquitous label which doubles up as THE Spanish label in many a novice mind. ‘Mr. Gautam Thapar is the Indian half of Prestige wines owned jointly with Miguel Torres.’
Thapar owns about 15% shares in the Lavasa project- the principal shareholding being that of Ajit Gulabchand -owned HCC (Hindustan Construction Company) at about 65%. The 25,000 acre estate will have 18 hotels with a 1000 rooms and educational institutions, I am told.
Torres Tasting
Louis Lim in his crisp and mellow voice explains the nuances of wine tasting, starting with bottles of water fortified with sugar, citrus, bitter etc. to familiarise the audience about flavours in a wine. The colour, first nose, second nose, whirl and twirl for third nose before getting into the flavours, the after-taste etc- he prepares the audience for the tasting.
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The entry level, Parellada based Viña Sol opens the show . The simple refreshing and fruity wine is followed by Fransola, which is my favourite wine from Penedés, made from Sauvignon Blanc. This is followed by the pleasant De Casta – a Grenache and Carignan (both grapes of Rhone but also popular in the North-eastern Spain) based Rosé which is dry, fruity, slightly tannic with good body. What followed was Sangre de Toro (Bull’s blood), the red wine made from the same blend as the Rosé made millions for the Torres family and you know why. It is still a great value for money spicy and fruity wine. The Grand Finale is with Gran Corona 2004, a 90% Cabernet blend with 10% Tempranillo (the blend changes from vintage to vintage).
Mark Perelló, Mumbai based Brand Ambassador for Torres explains that barring Fransola (MRP Rs.2000), all others are less than a thousand, tax paid, making them unbeatable value-for-money preposition.Gran Coronas at the MRP of Rs.1000 is an excellent buy.
The dinner follows in another room. Hyatt, as usual has done a fabulous job of transforming the small banquet room into a beautiful three big round tables arrangement with an excellent menu pared with the wines tasted earlier. I still cannot take my lips away from the delicious Fransola; though the chicken dish with red wine jus is a better match for the Grand Corona. I might have preferred it with the Rosé though, which was in limited supply.
One hopes that the Ecole Hoteliere Lavasa focuses more on the wine programme. With Indage postponing its plans for the college of vines and wines every year, there is a growing need for an institute which can offer courses and direction to the budding sommeliers and viticulturists- the Ecole should certainly take care of the former.
For an earlier related article, visit http://www.indianwineacademy.com |