JohnSouthwell is the Trade and Investment Commissioner of Austrade in India responsible for food and beverage (including wine), agricultural and consumer products into India and south Asia. A totally hands-on guy, he can be seen anywhere Australian wines may have a possibility of promotion. Based in Mumbai, John is known to lead from the front and can be seen in every important event promoting Aussie wines. Therefore, it was not surprising to see him and his team from Delhi, geared up to offer all assistance to make it an interesting afternoon.

It was a mere coincidence that the event was slated, just a few days after China had announced the end of ‘cold war’ by announcing the waiving off of penal duties imposed on Australian wine imports bringing the business to a trickle. Therefore, the mood at the venue was upbeat in the Australian camp though it was obvious that Australia would never again put all their eggs in one basket-the Chinese basket. In any case the Chinese wine market has shrunk over the last few years and according to OIV, there has been a drop of 25% last year alone.

John stressed that Australia had worked very hard to tackle the new markets like India and as a policy would continue to further develop these markets. It would help that the Indo-Australian FTA, reducing taxes on premium wines in 2 slots of US$5-15 and US $15 and above, would make Aussie wines more competitive. The effects were already being visible and one would see the results soon.

He also made a heartening statement that Australians were not interested in merely increasing their exports to India  but were also keen to extend technical support to the Indian wine industry.

Sonal Holland MW started by introducing the Australian wine industry and the 65 wine regions of Australia, spread across the breadth of the huge country. Her emphasis was on the diversity of the soil and terroir, their passion and propensity to work with different grape varieties (around 100) and with freedom to innovate and produce the best possible wines for their customers, they were at an advantageous position.

Blind Tasting

While affirming that this was the first time that Austrade had organised the Masterclass in Delhi with her conducting it, she said she had chosen to a new approach and as her staff gave out the ‘Blind Tasting Journal’, she said the 5 wines being poured would be all blind and the participants had to go through the process of judging in their mind and guess the grapes in the wines.

The process was somewhat simplified by selecting the typical grape varieties used in 2 whites, a rosé and 2 reds. With a fair amount of interaction, the grape mystery was unraveled- Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Moscato, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were the grapes selected. Following wines were presented in that order:

1. Bush Ballard Sauvignon Blanc 2022

2. Taylor’s Promised Land Chardonnay 2023

3. Yellow Tail Pink Moscato

4. 19 Crimes Shiraz 2021

5. Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

The prices of these wines were not disclosed. But it did not feel like ‘Tasting the Wonders of Australia’ as the catalogue suggested. Australia, with its vast production experience boasts of technically excellent wines. The success of the ‘best imported wine’ Jacobs Creek as perceived by Indian novices is ample proof of that and even the ubiquitous Yellow Tail Moscato drank well. But we were deprived of several wonderful wines, I felt.

The snacks served by the staff were delicious and the service very professional, validating their credentials as one of the finest wine destinations. Captain’s Cellar offers a surrealist wine bar experience-Australian or other wines. Sonal has of course, toned and honed herself during the years after earning her MW.

I do feel that with the duties falling and Australia gaining the first mover’s advantage in terms of duty restructuring and reduction, the emphasis should have been on the premium wines where the Aussies can well compete with the top Italian, French and American wines; even Chile and Argentina boast of top ended wines in their Tastings and offerings. In that sense, it was a missed opportunity. Having tasted a few sessions organised at the High Commission, I know Australia has a lot of quality wines to offer.

But I guess, we have to wait for another opportunity or perhaps FTAs with EU, Chile and the US when they would start offering their wines at better prices and have people feel on their palates and pockets, would have the Aussies put their best foot forward.

Congratulations to Austrade, Sonal and in no less measure to the staff of Captain’s Cellars for pulling off the Masterclass and bringing welcome showers in the otherwise WINE-TASTING- draught-ridden SADDI DILLI.

Subhash Arora