Jan 22: I am happy to share the 800th issue of delWine, that in all modesty is a great achievement and an example of perseverance and the Karma philosophy, a majority if Indians believe in, writes Cav. Subhash Arora who has been creating his own journey in the wild and wonderful world of wine through Rotary Club of Delhi Chanakyapuri (1986), Delhi Wine Club (2002), Indian Wine Academy (2003) and delWine (2006) and when the first issue was sent out in 2006 and then on a daily basis, no one imagined it would see the 800th edition and yet it has established itself as the de-facto newsletter from India, based on passion, integrity and shooting straight from the hips and the 1000th issue has become the next dream. It is a milestone and benchmark that has encouraged hundreds to share their love for wine and thousands to experience the new beverage of the millennium with gusto
As in the past such issues, I had requested my friends from the industry to pen an Article of their choice that could be relevant not only to our Indian readers who are a majority in the 33,000 subscribers in 71 countries but also to international audience who are even bigger fans of the eNewsletter and Indian Wine Academy. This 800th issue with your blessings and good wishes is dedicated to you, our readers. I am most grateful to the contributors who have been listed below:
It starts with a pleasant surprise from my senior journalist friend Sourish Bhattacharyya who has not only advised me at various stages but as a professional journalist warned me of several pitfalls and acted like a rudder, who volunteered to write an Article, not on wine but me!! He has been very generous and brought several ostalgic memories which are a part of my wine journey.
It is a happy state of affairs when two biggies including Rajeev Samant, founder CEO of Sula Vineyards are optimistic of the wine industry future despite the apprehensions of bureaucrats being the party poopers and the real obstacles in the growth of the industry, and while sharing his views in an exclusive chat with Arora, he shares his passion about sustainability and is happy to see the real competition about to set in a few years.
If there is one guy who has changed the wine scenario of India during the current decade, it has to be Ravi Viswanathan. This PIO has studied the Indian scenario for over 20 years and put his money where his analysis was. He is been at the point of almost being over-optimistic. But one hopes, his vision of future is correct and the Article brings some sense to the government.
No one would normally stick his neck out predicting the quality of 2018 Bordeaux Vintage but our maverick Master of Wine, John Salvi MW knows how to sniff around and is bold enough to take a shot at the current vintage which will be tasted officially at the En Primeur in April, 2019. He has gone out to comment on it especially for the 800th issue of delWine as a gift to us and our viewers.
In today’s world most people complain about women not getting enough importance in any industry. It is true that till the early 1990’s, Italy was no different. But things have been changing fast. Even in India, delWine started recognising Top ten Women of Wine since 2013. But Gaia Gaja, the heiress apparent of Gaja Wines in Piemonte has had no such problems, perhaps since she is an owner. She talks instead about the succession issue in an iconic family like Gaja which he seems to have sorted it out- at least for the present and she shares her vision.
Italy has been changing its colours and stripes for several decades. No one would know it better than Michele Shah who is a British by birth but Italian by heart and decided to let us know about its Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
But my friend for many years Robert Joseph, who I met 15 years ago and have very high regard for, believes the Tomorrow of wine has already changed and one will see a totally different tomorrow with the technology setting in superfast. He shows a glimpse of it in his Article which is based on his book Future of Wine has (already) changed. He had given a brilliant talk at MUST Fermenting Ideas in Portugal last year and his was one of the best discourses in Cascais. I am honoured that he found time from his busy schedule in South Africa to write a brilliant Article for the 800th.
India has had a good thing going just like Indian Grape Processing Board was but it was either not handled properly or the wine industry did not value it but the Indian government joining OIV was a fantastic thing that happened due to a handful men including Subhash Arora and its then Director General Federico Castellucci being in love with India and having a soft corner. Delving into the background, he sounds warning bells that if India misses the boat so far as OIV is concerned, it would be a big loss for India both in terms of prestige and the value it gives to the country for a long term recognition as a world power in grape cultivation and wine production. Let’s hope the right sources get a whiff of this Article-perfect for Made in India concept that our PM is harping on all the time.
Making of wine is a function of many factors besides the history and the terroir and climate play a big role in selection of the right grape variety to make a great wine. Aragon is one region of Spain that gave Garnacha grape centuries ago and it has flourished within different parts of Spain from where it went out of the country and one can see rare glimpses of it even in India. Don Pedro Ballesteros MW is passionate about the subject and has detailed analysis of the grape which is so lucid and precise that one can take a lesson and study similar examples of other grapes, especially in India.
Enjoy the 800th edition of delWine. Cheers! Jai Ho!!
Subhash Arora
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