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_small.jpg) When you drink a glass of Mullineux wine, you know you are drinking a wine made by the South African Winemaker of the Year-Andrea Mullineux
When you drink a glass of Mullineux wine, you know this is a winery co-founded with her South African husband Chris Mullineux and has won 18 five-star wine ratings from the prestigious Platter's South African Wine Guide since the launch in 2007
When you drink a glass of wine of Mullineux, you know it is from Swartland in South Africa, which was the Winery of the Year in 2014 and 2016, based on the Stars they won from Platter’s-right after its Indian billionaire partner Bhai Analjit Singh of the Max group (known s BAS in South Africa) acquired almost half the shares in the winery.
When you drink a glass of Mullineux wines in India in August, you should know it is thanks to Fratelli Vineyards who have tied up with Mullineux and Leeu Family Wines for imports.
When you drink a glass of Mullineux wines in India, hopefully you would acknowledge that the first time you heard about Mullineux wine coming to India was through this edition of delWine.
Of course, there have been several Articles written about Mullineux, one of the top producers of South Africa and how Bhai Analjit Singh, Chairman Emeritus of Max Group in India was enamoured by South Africa. Once upon a time he was a contender for buying equity into Sula Vineyards and when that deal did not materialise, he bought a farmhouse with a small winery in it instead, in Franschhoek. He later decided to invest in winery business and when he came across this winery in Swartland, he took no time to get into a partnership with the Mullineux wine making couple.
Mullineux through Fratelli
For Fratelli, this is nothing short of a coup. Having entered into the import business a couple of years ago, they have been accumulating some exciting labels including a partnership with Jean Charles Boisset in Burgundy and California, which has been steadily moving in the direction both desire. Moreover, Mullineux represents best wine making with unorthodox methods achieve quality, which have proven extremely successful , catapulting the decade old winery into the top rung by international standards.
What is jam on the bread is that Mullineux has apparently agreed to sell some of the Fratelli labels in South African market, not a market easier than India. Kapil Sekhri, the Director of Fratelli is in London but was quit to respond. He says, ‘we are very excited about importing Mullineux wines. Quality speaks volumes. We have taken a slightly conservative approach and stayed away in first stage from single block wines due to heavy Indian taxation. We have collectively chosen four great value-for- money wines to start with. Our focus will only be on institutional sales for the first two years.’ I could practically see the impish glee on his face as he said, ‘Chris has reciprocated by agreeing to also import some Fratelli wines into South Africa which makes the relationship even more special.’ 
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Chris Mullineux is also very happy. ‘Yes, we are excited too that Fratelli are importing our wines and very happy because they are such wonderful people. Our expectations in terms of volumes are not massive, as we are aware that quality South African wine may be a bit of an unknown to Indian consumers. We are happy to grow the market naturally there. For now, we are focusing on four wines: our Kloof Street Chenin and Rouge, and Mullineux Old Vines White and Syrah.’
I have tasted all these wines at the residence of Bhai Analjit Singh on two occasions, once when the Mullineux were in India. I also visited the elegant and classy Tasting Room at Bhai Analjit Singh’s hospitality Center in Franschhoek. They may be a trifle expensive for visitors to South Africa, who naturally find the country a gourmet’s paradise at casual dining prices. But these wines are worth a glass or a bottle depending upon the occasion.
South Africa has made big strides during the last decade or two and Mullineux has been right at the forefront. Old Vines White is my personal favourite with its mineral bouquet that goes all the way to the end. Same with Syrah- the Kloof Street is an excellent quaff whereas for serious food and wine match Syrah will gladden the hearts of red wine and Syrah lovers.
As mentioned, they are not cheap, but Bangalore people would have an advantage over Delhi which will find them cheaper than in Mumbai. Kloof Street would be an affordable Rs. 2200 in Bangalore but thanks to wines not being in the GST basket would cost Rs. 2800 and Rs. 3000 in Delhi and Mumbai. Similarly, Mullineux Old Vine White will be cheaper in Bangalore (Rs. 4300) than in Delhi (Rs. 4800) and Mumbai (Rs. 5300) and would be an incentive to pick up a couple of bottles when someone comes from Bangalore-it is legal. For those looking at how the top South African Syrah wines taste, there is Mullineux Syrah at Rs. 5,800 in Delhi but Rs. 6400 in Mumbai. Bangalore lovers would find it more reasonable at Rs. 5,350.
Not available initially are the top end 3 labels of Syrah named after the soil. Also not imported for now would be the Leeu Passant wines that the Mullineux are producing with BAS at his cellar in Franschhoek. These are two variants of Chardonnay and a Dry Red blend. Introduced earlier this year, they will not be imported to India for now.
For further details about the availability of these wines, contact aharyson@fratelliwines.in
For a few of the earlier related Articles, please visit:
Analjit Singh’s Winery Partner Andrea Mullineux Winemaker of the Year
Mullineux Story with Chris and Andrea
BAS: Good Luck Charm for South African Winery
Subhash Arora
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