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Grover La Reserve 2008

8/9/2013

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This is a red wine blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, made by the Grover vineyards from the grapes grown in Nandi Hills and apparently stored in Oak barrels after fermentation (I guess an attempt at replicating the Bordeaux environment and process). This was always the 'Grand Daddy' of the Indian Reds and pretty much the ‘First Choice Indian Red’ for the last decade before the plethora of Indian made vineyards popped up over the last 5 years.

The wine is Dark purple colour
The nose is distinctly blackberry with a hint of spice and green pepper.
On the palate this is a medium bodied wine there is a fruity cherry taste with a strong spicy taste and a hint of Oak. The finish was distinctly tannic with a perceptible alcoholic finish on the palate.
Pairings that were suggested by the Vineyard were Mutton dishes and Biryan, So I tried this with some good old fashioned Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani and it was definitely a good match.
I remember reading somewhere that Stephen Spurrier rated this particular wine as “ the best new world red wine”...but that was in 2005 and Indian wine is notoriously inconsistent.  It is still one of the best Indian Reds available in the market. It retails for Rs. 750

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Fratelli Sangiovese 2011

8/9/2013

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This wine is made out of Unblended Sangiovese grown in an area called akluj near Pune. I had always associated Sangiovese with Chianti, or most of the time blended with Cabernets and merlot. So it was definitely a pleasant surprise to taste a 100 percent Sangiovese, from the stables of an Indian Winery.
It had an aroma of Cherries, vanilla, tobacco (??) and a hint of spice
On the palate, it was a medium bodied wine with a fruity taste with a certain degree of spiciness and mild tannins. It was pretty smooth and had a rather nice long finish.
I was fortunate that I was introduced to this wine by Arnav of Azzuri bay during our ‘Old Shepherdians ‘ reunion at Azzuri bay, and hence there were a variety of dishes that were pouring out of the Kitchen of Azzuri Bay. So i had a fair bit of experimentation about which particular food paired well with the wine. And the winners of the pairing contest were spicy Beef and mutton fry, though it paired well with pasta too.
Sangioveses tend to taste better with age, hence i would look to pick up a few bottles fir the wine fridge for later. It retails for about Rs 850 at the Wine stores in any City outside of Chennai, most restaurants in Chennai Price it around Rs. 2200 for a bottle.

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Sula Sartori Merlot

8/9/2013

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This is a red wine from the Sula wineries in India.  But this particular wine is actually a Chillean Merlot that is Bottled in india by Sula (I wonder if that is one of the reasons that it is one of the better ‘Reds from an Indian Brand available in India.)
It has a very Berry and Cherry nose
On the palate it has a unexpectedly smooth feel with a taste of berries and a certain spiciness to it.
It does go well with most spicy Indian dishes whether Vegetarian or  Non vegetarian. It would therefore would be a safe choice red at an Índian restaurant.
It retails at around Rs. 700 though most restaurants price it between Rs1000 and Rs. 2000

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Sula Chenin Blanc

8/9/2013

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This is the most commonly available “White Wine” across Chennai. This is a White wine produced by the Sula Wineyards. Its is a ‘Late harvest’Chenin blanc which basically means that the grapes are left o the vines a little longer than usual so that the sugars are concentrated. This wines tend to be sweeter as this Wine is too.
The wine has a distinct pineapple and fruity nose.
It is a semy dry wine and it has a sweet fuity taste and has a buttery after taste. Like i mentioned earlier it is sweet.
In my opinion this tends to pair better with sweet desserts. It does pair well with most Indian dishes too. The other incidental thing i have noticed is that Women and Wine Newbies tend to prefer this wine probably because it’s sweet. It is best served chilled at around 5 to 6 degrees Centigrade.
It retails for a little more than Rs 700. It is usually available at all liquor vends and most restaurants (infact being the ‘’only” white wine that most of them stock)

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    Dr Madhu Thottappillil

    A sports medicine specialist based out of Chennai, India. Avid Foodie and a Wine Enthusiast

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