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 About a thousand wine professionals from on - trade and off - trade, sommeliers, journalists and members of the public are expected to attend and taste about 25 wines from five of India’s quality wine producers- Sula, GroverZ, Fratelli, York and Charosa who have all confirmed their participation in the event being held from 6-8 November in Millennium Conference Center in London Kensington.
The event has been divided into two parts, says Mr. Sunil Kumar General Manager of the governmental agricultural export promotion development agency APEDA. November 6, the first day, is reserved exclusively for the press and trade and special invitees.The other two days are meant for the public when around 1000 people are expected to visit and taste. The event, being managed by Wizcraft, gives a complimentary platform including the cost of rental of the stalls, wine service and the shipment of wines.
Mr. Kumar says they had invited all the producers for the event through the website and everyone had an equal opportunity to join. Mr. Kumar and one of his junior colleagues will be at hand in London, which he wishes and hopes will become an annual event. ‘We have about 700 other food products to handle but would like to make this a success as India makes good wines now and we want to help create Brand India also in wines.
 Sula will be represented by Hallgarten Druitt & Novum, their importers in the UK, according to Cecilia Oldne who is the VP and International Brand Director of Sula. ‘UK is Sula’s largest and one of our most important export markets. A wide selection of our wines is already available across the country in restaurants through all channels. We have also achieved unprecedented success via M&S and Direct Wines, the world’s largest mail order wine operator. For us it is essential to support APEDA in this initiative. Steve Daniel is our brand ambassador in the UK and will pour at the stand,’ she informs delWine.
‘Having APEDA support us in increasing the awareness of Indian wines in the UK is an applause worthy initiative. With the ever-increasing influence of Indian cuisine and the long-standing colonial relationship, we’re seeing an increased interest in wines from India. It is an exciting time for Sula in the UK, and the future for Indian wines in this market looks bright. We hope the awareness of wines from India in the UK will go to the next level with the event’, adds Cecilia who would not be able to go personally as Sula is participating at the Hong Kong Wine Show at the same time and she had already committed to go there, a long time ago.
Sula will showcase Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Shiraz 2015, Zinfandel 2015, Dindori Reserve Viognier 2015 and Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2014 at the event.
 GroverZ is sending the winemaker Karishma Grover selected earlier by delWine as one of the Top Ten Women of Wines in India 2015. She will present the Vijay Amritraj Reserve collection, La Reserve and Art Collection range.
"We are Pioneers and also the most awarded wine brand of India, working actively to put our wines on the world map. UK is our 3rd largest export market in 20 countries and offers a great opportunity for Indian wines since Indian cuisine is popular. We are proud to be part of this event and appreciate efforts of APEDA to provide this platform for our targeted audience in London,’ says Sumedh Singh Mandla, CEO of Grover Zampa Vineyards.
 Alessio Secci, the Tuscany-based Director of Fratelli will showcase 5 wines of this Indo-Italian JV, including 4 variants of the Chianti grape Sangiovese - Asia’s first Sangiovese Bianco, Sangiovese, Vitae Sangiovese and Sette. He will also conduct a Masterclass on Sangiovese, explaining how this Tuscan grape has adapted to the Indian soil and its different expressions in Akluj, Maharashtra.
‘We are happy APEDA is organizing this event to improve the image of Indian wines internationally. We will showcase unique and innovative wines including India’s first zero dosage sparkling. It will be a good opportunity to connect with the people personally and share our passion for wines’ says Alessio Secci who feels that the event will help them gain a stronger foothold and visibility in the international market.
Both Ravi and his winemaker brother Kailash Gurnani of York Winery will be there with a range of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Cabernet Merlot, the super premium Arros and their latest addition Sparkling Cuvee Brut. They have already participated in the London Wine Show through the now defunct IGPB but could not find the right partner and hope to find one this time.
Parag Kamat, Chief Operating Officer of Charosa Vineyards, the newest kid on the block (took an exceptionally long time to come out to the market after conception) says they will also participate with a complete range of Reserves and Selections. There Tempranillo and Sauvignon would be the wines to watch out for. They are showcasing their wines on an international platform for the first time but he is sure their quality and the packaging will be appreciated by the consumers.
Peter Csizmadia - Honigh, who has just launched his book The Wines of India in Mumbai last Thursday on 29th October after visiting most of the wineries and interviewing several Indian experts, will be at hand with his book. He will also present seminars on Indian wines. Whereas the book gives insight into the Indian Industry from a foreigner’s perspective, his experience of visiting and observing the Industry from close quarters over the last one year, has given him a professional insight. Therefore, for visitors it will be ‘hot from the oven’ unbiased, technical information - very educational.
Besides him, there will also be Seminars by experts like Steven Spurrier, Alessio Secci (Fratelli), Jane Parkinson & Joe Wadsack, both from the BBC Food and Drinks.
APEDA has pitched in the funds for organising the event whereas the producers provide their wines and bear the cost of travel and stay arrangement. Mr. Sunil Kumar, General Manager of APEDA says ‘it is the first time we are doing an event at such a big and exclusive scale.We would like to make it an annual affair, provided there is an enthusiasm from the industry and the response is as good as we are anticipating.
Mr. Kumar says, ‘although there are hundreds of food products we handle for export and the budgets are constraints, we shall gladly support the wine industry and push forward with Brand India. We hope more producers come forward to take part in such activities.’ The producers must understand that working with APEDA will help them project the correct image to the government that wine is but an agricultural product and must be delinked from liquor.
For Iinvitation visit https://docs.google.com
Subhash Arora |