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A couple of years ago I had predicted that the sale of Rose Champagne and still wine will grow in India at a faster pace. There were two assumptions: one was the sudden inexplicable spurt in the sale of bubblies in UK for the previous three years. And the post-independence history is indicative of our appetite for aping the west, especially UK where the pink champagne sales have been souring. The other reason was that Rose` goes better with the Indian food and is light enough for the hot Indian climate and is a refreshing drink.
It looks like I was wrong. The pink champagne consumption sale has not gone up much at all. This I can explain easily. While the ordinary NV Champagne is available for the equivalent tax-heavy conversion of US $25-40, the rose equivalent is available for at least twice that. And we are not ready to pay that kind of money for a fashionable version. But the consumption of Rose also has not kept up with the growth of wine consumption. According to Abhay Kewadkar, the Wine Maker VP of Grover Vineyards, the growth of rose` has gone up only 15% compared to the 20% increase in the total wine sale during the last 3 years.
One reason could be that Indians still treat it as a ladies drink. Besides, serious wine drinkers do try to be a bit snobbish about this wine. It is made from red grapes only, but with very little maceration and contact with the skins to get the colour and the resultant tannins but the complexity of a red wine is never possible.
With this background, Rose` can be a great wine to order in a restaurant as an aperitif, especially in summer, or even with light foods including red meat sauce pastas, pepperoni and ham pizzas. They are generally reasonable and affordable wines. Today's recommended wine is a highly refreshing example. At Rs.1200 a bottle in Olive Restaurant , this wine made from Cab Sauvignon by the producer who has given us the amazing Caballo loco Nos.1-7 is cheaper than all their Indian offerings. It is brilliant and appetizing red in colour with the nose of strawberries.
The flavour is that of ripe fruits, the acidity is crisp enough to make you feel like drinking more. Very full, refreshing flavour on the palate. You may feel the tannins slightly if you are drinking without food but its not puckery in the mouth. Fairly dry and simple wine which you can afford to order 2-3 bottles of, as an aperitif or even to carry on with pizzas and pastas. Vegetarians will enjoy it even with Aranchini and Vegetable Medley, and Homemade Ricotta. A simple yet best value-for-money wine anywhere, but definitely at Olive. Also available at Diva and Ego Thai among other restaurants.
Serve chilled at 10 -12 degs. It should be not as chilled as say a sparkler or a light bodied wine like SB or Pinot Grigio to enjoy the flavour of Cabernet too.
Subhash Arora
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