 Hotel Sofitel in Bandra- Kurla Complex will be the venue on 24th May between 3.00 pm and 5.30 pm., whereas Delhi residents will have to travel to Oberoi Gurgaon for the similar tasting at the same time on 25th May. This is the first time UGCB has chosen to come to India though it conducts about 60 events each year, with about twenty such major events in Europe, the United States, Asia and Russia.
The Union was established in 1973, and is headed by its first female President, Sylvie Cazes since 2008. Cazes who is the co-owner of Chateau Lynch-Bages in Pauillac and director of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, is quite excited about the trip, saying ‘this trip is coming very close on the heels of our first visit to Brazil a few months ago. Some of our members are already offering their wines in India. This tour allows us to share our wines with the Indian professionals.’
Having a long term experience of managing her own family estates since 2001 with an international exposure, she is practical enough to admit ‘it won’t be an easy tour, because the very complex and regulated Indian market makes for very trying conditions and offers at best restricted access.’ But she is optimist enough to note that, ‘India presents a great opportunity for fine wine’.
It is the first time that a galaxy of such important chateau owners of wine makers is visiting India. The scale and the sheer reputation of the wines that are being presented make this a very important and special occasion for Indian wine & hospitality professionals as well as wine lovers, says Rajiv Singhal who is organizing the maiden tour.
Having attended quite a few of such grand tastings in Europe, where over 100 producers sometimes take part, Subhash Arora, editor of delWine wondered why such few numbers for India were participating. Jean Marc Guiraud, Director of the UGCB concedes that 33 chateaux are only a small representation of the total membership, because they are used to travel in much larger groups. ‘But the trip gives our members a chance to touch and feel the Indian market’, he believes.
The chateau owners will present the Grand Tasting of the 2009 Vintage. Robert Parker who had presented 20 wines from Bordeaux Chateaux last November at Wine Future Hong Kong attended by Arora had described this vintage as outstanding, perhaps the best during the decade, even surpassing the most-talked about vintage of 2005, the beauty being that many of these wines were drinking quite well already. This will be an exhibition style tasting, says Rajeev Singhal who has helped organize the tasting.
Whatever the reasons or motivation, it promises to be a memorable experience. Click here for the list of the participants, most of which are being represented by the owners or senior managers, making it a worthwhile event to visit and meet them personally and enjoy the tasting. Contact directly at ugcb@roverseas.in for a possible invite.
Subhash Arora |