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 _small.jpg) Ruffino is a reputed Italian winery known for its Chianti, with a long-standing history that dates back to 1877. Within a decade of its inception, Ruffino had gained both national and international recognition when its Chianti won gold medals at the 1881 Milan Wine Exhibition and the 1885 Antwerp Exhibition. In 1890, Ruffino was appointed as the official wine supplier to the Italian Royal Family and by 1960 Ruffino was exporting to over 100 countries worldwide, including the US where the label was first Chianti label exported.
In 2011, Ruffino became a part of the renowned Constellation Brands, the world leader of premium wines, beers and spirits. Ruffino was being distributed by Sula in India before this acquisition and their premium wines had found favour on Indian palates ever since they made a splash into the Indian market.
The Food-Wine Pairings
The four premium wines presented at Lunch on May 27 at afternoon bore testament to Ruffino’s popularity in India as they paired brilliantly with the specially prepared menu:
Ruffino Prosecco DOC
This sparkling white wine is made entirely of Glera grapes, an Italian indigenous grape with its roots from the village of Prosecco. The wine is bright straw yellow with clearly defined bubbles. It is fruity from the word go with clear aromas of citrus and offers a lingering finish of floral notes. Alcohol is at 11%. MRP – Rs. 2,200.
Paired with Avocado Tartar
Ruffino Orvieto Classico DOC 2015
This white wine is a blend of several native Italian varietals - Grechetto 40%, Procanico (Trebbiano) 20%, other white varietals (Verdello, Canaiolo Bianco) 40%. The wine is light yellow in colour and offers fruity  aromas of apple along with light floral notes. The grapes are grown in Umbria, known for its limestone soil (tufa) which lends a fresh mineral character to the wine. Alcohol is at 12.5%. MRP – Rs.1,735.
Paired with Panko Crumbed Duo of Asparagus/ Crispy Fried Chicken Wings with Sour Cream/BBQ Spare Ribs.
Ruffino Chianti DOCG 2015
This versatile and approachable red wine is made from minimum 70% Sangiovese along with other red varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine displays both fruity and floral aromas with hints of spice. Alcohol is at 13%. MRP – Rs. 2,130.
Paired with Burrata Tortellini with Asparagus and Truffles/Carbonara Agnolotti with Parma Ham.
Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012
This wine is considered as a benchmark for Chianti Classico Riserva ever since its first production in 1927. ‘Ducale’ means Duke in Italian and was named thus to honour the Duke of Aosta, who was so impressed by Ruffino Wines that he appointed the winery as the official wine supplier to the Italian Royal Family.
This wine is ruby red in colour and made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is well-balanced with firm acidity and a long velvety finish. Alcohol is at 13%. MRP – Rs. 3,990.
Paired with Morels and Asparagus Risotto with Truffle foam/Chilean Seabass en Papillote/ Lamb Wellington with Dauphinoise Potato.
La Dolce Finita
Melting Chocolate
 Italian wines have found tremendous success in India and Ruffino Wines have clearly established themselves in the market here. Emma Hammond, Regional Director Asia of Constellation Brands, said, “With the growth we have seen in sales in the last two years, there is definitely an appetite in India to taste more wines. Yes, you need to have budget-conscious wines, but there is a hunger with the Indian market for premium wines. There has been a drive for volume, but also quality of position has been a focus for us in the market.”
On being asked as to what makes Italian wines popular in India, she went on to say, “When I speak to people at events and ask them what they think of a quality wine, more often they talk of Italian wines. There is a great connection between India and Italy in terms of food and culture and thankfully one we’ve been able to build with the team of Sula.”
Talking about Ruffino’s decision to partner with Sula, Tommaso Alessandri – Marketing Director of Ruffino, said, “We needed the right partner for our premium wines. For us, it’s class versus a standard importer of wines which is basic commercialization. They know how to make wines and they know how to engage with consumers.”
These four wines are sure to find increased success given both their affordability (for premium wines) and high quality. Ruffino is already known to be a winery of firsts with a history spanning of 140 years. Given Sula’s and Constellation Brands’ growth plans for this premium brand, Ruffino might just end up adding to the popularity of Italian wines in India!
Rishi Vohra CSW
Rishi Vohra is the Mumbai Correspondent of delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) from the Society of Wine Educators - USA. He has done an MBA in Sustainable Business from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law from WWF-India. He has authored two bestseller fiction novels, ‘HiFi in Bollywood’ and ‘Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai’- the latter was awarded an honorable mention in the General Fiction category at the Hollywood Book Festival, and was the only book from India to be so awarded at the festival. He can be contacted at wineguymumbai@gmail.com |