Michelin Starred Le Charlemagne in Burgundy to serve Grover Zampa Wines

Laurent Peugeot is a Burgundy-born chef who spent most of his early years as a chef in France and first stepped foot in Asia in 1997. His cuisine at his one-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Charlemagne is a mixture of different cultures, with French and Japanese influences being the most prominent. Good ingredients are his biggest inspiration. Being a passionate scuba diver, the ocean holds fond memories for Peugeot, so it's no surprise that the chef is partial to fish and other seafood. The restaurant is known for its interesting wine list with emphasis on premier and Grand Cru French wines.

It is a matter of pride not only for Grover Zampa Vineyards but India that its grand menu will now also list award-winning wines from GroverZ stable- Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection Red and White and also La Reserve red and white wines. These are some of the most awarded wines from Grover Zampa: VA Reserve Red won a Gold at Asian Wine Review 2018, Silver at Sakura 2018 and Silver at Cathay Pacific HKIWSC 2018; VA White won a Bronze medal at the HKIWSC Awards. Similarly La Reserve red won silver at Sakura 2018 and La Reserve Blanc won bronze in DAWA and bronze in HKIWSC.
Located in the heart of the Côte d'Or, Burgundy's premier wine-growing area, Le Charlemagne is a one-Michelin-starred restaurant headed by renowned Chef Laurent Peugeot. What sets this restaurant apart from the others is not only its exotic cuisine blend but also the method involved in consuming the dishes. Each dish comes with special instructions which form a part of the overall experience of indulgence. In essence, each dish from the kitchen is an edible adventure, wherein diners set on a ride to discover unique ingredients and flavours from different countries and cultures. 

Speaking about the association,  Vivek Chandramohan, CEO, Grover Zampa Vineyards says, “It gives me immense pleasure in stating that Grover Zampa wines are now listed at Le Charlemagne, a superlative restaurant set in the heart of Burgundy. International recognition of such stature is only testament to the fact that Grover Zampa is committed to producing high quality and distinguishable wines, capable of garnering the much deserved international recognition for Indian wines. “

Quizzed about the genesis of this marvellous feat, Sumit Jaiswal, Assistant Vice President Marketing and Exim tells delWine, ‘we have been exporting wines to Burgundy and other parts of France for years- our last year’s export of wine was over 9,000 cases. This honour is thanks to our Director from Singapore, Ravi Viswanathan who tasted Grover Zampa wines with the Restaurant last month and agreed to add these wines to his wine List.’ He added that both La Reserves are being showcased also at The Cité du Vin museum and exhibition center in Bordeaux. Earlier they had showcased the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection at one of the most visited wine at this unique cultural facility.

Confirming this Ravi Viswanathan, who is a French citizen and a Director and one of the biggest investors in Grover Zampa tells delWine, 'Le Charlemagne is one of the iconic restaurants in Burgundy , located in Pernand Vergelesses and facing the famed hill of Corton. Iits owner/chef Laurent Peugeot tasted some Grover wines recently and decided to put on his wine list- both  the La Reserve and the Vijay Amritraj Collection (VA) red and white. The chairman of the sommelier association of Paris also tasted our wines with some of his fellow members. Which is why  the luxury Lancaster Hotel will now feature the 2 VA and the 2 sparkling wines (Soirée Brut and Soirée Rosé) and over the next few months more members of the association will list some Grover wines in their bars and restaurants. Ma Cuisine, a Michelin starred restaurant in Singapore, will also have the Grover Insignia and the VA wine on its wine list . 

In December 2017, these wines were already  listed with one of the top luxury restaurants in Paris - Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée- a 3 Michelin Starred Restaurant which is owned by Chef Alain Ducasse who has 19 Michelin Stars to his credit.

Grover Zampa Vineyards (GZV) is India’s second largest wine producer and exporter, focussing on premium quality wines. It owns wineries and vineyards in Nandi Hills in Karnataka and in the Nashik Valley in Maharashtra. GZV boasts of the most impressive pedigree in the Indian wine industry today and claims to be the largest exporter of wines from India to 24 countries. Working with limited yields, sustainable viticulture practices and selective hand harvesting, the winemaking is carried out by a team of local oenologists under the direction of international French wine consultant Michel Rolland and French winemaker Mathias Pellisard.

It is the largest awarded wine producer with 129 international medals and trophies under its belt since2013. It participates in 7 competitions across 3 continents.

Sumit handles the total marketing and was given the additional charge of exports last year. He will also be responsible for imports (and hence ‘exim’ in his title), once the winery in Burgundy owned by Grover Zampa Vineyards through the Ravi Viswanathan connection who spends a lot of time in Burgundy. At the first instance La Reserve will be made also at this winery but what you would find at La Charlemagne are the bottles produced in India. He will look after the import of La Reserve de Bourgogne, to be exported to India.

A great forward step for the Indian wine industry and Grover Zampa! Jai Ho to them!!

For the earlier related Articles, please read

Clean Sweep by Grover Zampa at Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC

Grover Zampa scoops maximum Awards at DAWA 2018 in Hong Kong

Grover Zampa plans Ambitious Growth from Bangalore to Burgundy

Wine India Moves: Vivek Chandramohan catapulted as CEO of Grover Zampa

Subhash Arora

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