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 Ferrari Brut Rose NV (no relation with Ferrari sports cars) is a Trento DOC wine produced in Trentino in the Alto Adige region in North Italy. Crafted with 60% Pinot Nero (Noir) and 40% Chardonnay with second fermentation in the bottle for over 2 years on the lees, it is closest any Italian sparkling wine comes to champagne. The reason is partly because of the grapes and partly as the founder Giulio Ferrari had gone to France to study the art of making champagne and returned to Italy in 1902 to set up the sparkling wine making unit in Trentino.
However, if you talk to anyone in the winery – I visited Ferrari a few years back when Camilla Lunelli, one of the owner daughters who showed us around, they would not like their sparklers to be compared with champagne-perhaps rightly so. Although the method to produce is similar to ‘Methode Champenoise’ known as Metodo Classico and the blend is from the same varietals but due to the mountainous terrain of Alto Adige, it offers different flavours which are a class by themselves. Many claim these bubbles are better but that depends on your personal tastes.
The wine is salmon pink in colour with shades of copper. It is fresh on the nose with delicate red-berry aromas and ‘biscuity’ notes. On the palate, it is pleasantly dry, thanks to its 7-8 gms/liter of residual sugar (perfect for Indian palates) with creamy perlage (mousse) and millions of persistent, small bubbles. There is a presence of citrus notes on the palate making it even more vibrant. It has a crispy finish that makes one long instantly for another sip. A perfect match with sea-food and our coastal cuisine or simply as an appetiser!
Retailing in the US for around $30-35, it is a great value for money bubbly at Rs. 3950, with a choice of even wine-by-the –glass at Rs. 795 (AI) at the Patisserie. You might want to make sure that it was not opened more than 30 minutes or so in order to enjoy the zing, though. It’s best to have 3-4 friends with you and kill a bottle.
Wine-by-the-glass marches on
People thought it was crazy for the hotel to have the programme where over 30 wines at the Patisserie were sold at Rs. 375a glass (AI)-cheaper than a cup of Cappuccino. I remember Rupert & Rothschild Classique and Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc offered at that price-the best deal anywhere in India. But they also got singed a bit like other consumers and hoteliers in Gurgaon by the ridiculous excise policy this year and have hiked the prices to Rs. 495. Although not as exciting as the previous offers when I strongly recommended a visit, it still remains an attractive offer because other hotels have felt the pinch as well.
The choices have been narrowed down in terms of quality and Best Buys but even now I would try a glass of Trio Red from Concha y Toro of Chile or any of the Folinari and Piccini wines at Rs. 495 a glass. (As advised earlier, I would recommend splitting a glass in 2 so that you may taste, say 6 wines with an order of 3 wines and still resulting in consumption of 450 mL for the session (slightly over the recommended size for healthy portion- 4 wines at 75 mL would be ideal).
Tasting in the Cellar with Sommelier
The idea of tasting wine with a professional sommelier and surrounded by the sleeping wines all around you can be charming and romantic. Taking a leaf from Oberoi Delhi’s chapter, the hotel has been conducting tasting with Rakesh Awaghade, the WSET Diploma holder with experience in London, including Chef Ramsay Gordon’s restaurant. Although not priced at as attractive rates as the Patisserie, it does offer a great opportunity of starting with a full glass of Champagne followed normally by 2 whites and 2 red wines with a 75 mL pour, accompanied by cheese and olives. There are not too many places where the novices can go in a small group and have their first genuine ‘wine tasting’ with the sommelier guiding you through the experience every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:30-9:00 pm.
 Highly advised for small groups of 3-5 friends who ‘wanted to know all about wines but were afraid to ask’- and drinking one glass +four half-glasses is a bonus. Great idea to start any evening out! Follow up with dinner at 361˚ or go to the close-by Cyber hub. If you reserve to eat at 361˚on a Friday, check up with the hotel, you may be squeezed in for a free tasting (pre-booking is a must or you will be disappointed-don’t say I didn’t warn you).
The Hotel has announced programme for October-December. The November events are with sparkling wines-starting with a glass of Lanson Brut. The line-up includes tasting of Ferrari as well. That may be a good opportunity to fall in love with this beautiful and delectable Brut Rose.
Enjoy any of the programmes and if you have an exhilarating time as I predict, raise a toast for me and the Hotel Oberoi Gurgaon for carrying on the good work!
Subhash Arora
For earlier article click Ferrari Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year |