All Things Nice hosted India’s second Wine Consumer Choice Wine Awards at the Taj Lands End on the 18th of January, 2014. Over 100 wine enthusiasts, including yours truly, got an opportunity to taste the entire spectrum of Indian wines available. The tasting was based on a 20 point scale, which was easy to understand and provided a wide enough range for competitive analysis.
B
eing my first wine tasting event as a jury member, I was a bit nervous about the process and decorum expected at the event. But meeting Nikhil Agarwal, a trained Sommelier and the brains behind the event, helped me understand the process and stick to my gut feel. The best part about being a consumer wine award judge, is to think like a normal consumer and not like a critic. The vineyards at the event were the following: Charosa, Myra, Sula, Big Banyan, Chateau d’Ori, Fusion, Grover-Zampa, Deva, KRSMA, Reveilo, Vallonne, Fratelli, Pause, York, Fourseasons and Moksh.
The blind tasting started with the whites, with 11 wines on the tasting menu. The judges were to rate the wines on Color, Taste and Aroma (instead of the full spread of 5 S’s: Color (See), Swirl, Aroma (Sniff), and Savor) on a scale of 1 to 10. The wines were covered in silver cloth to keep the judge from knowing the wine.
The tasting was a wonderful experience with many surprises, where some of the expensive wines were rated lower than some of the inexpensive ones. The Whites were followed by the sparkling, the Rieslings and the Reds. In all, each judge tasted 25 wines during the event, with each table getting a different sequence of wines to keep things interesting. No one would be able to judge what you would get at your table at any given point in time.
The event lasted a good 4 hours, with the table conversation getting more interesting as the wines poured. The diverse set of consumers rating the wines on offer ensured the ratings were fair from the heart.
The ratings were collated and released to the public on 30th January 2014, giving wine consumers a market reference for this year’s selection.
A wonderfully managed event with a gracious host provided a fitting opportunity for consumers to participate and provide feedback directly to the vineyard.
And the winners are:
GOLD MEDAL
- Sula Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2013
- Fratelli Gran Cuvée Brut NV
- Zampa Soirée Brut Rosé 2011
- Four Seasons Blush (Rosé) 2013
- Sula Satori NV
- Chateau d’Ori Cabernet Merlot 2012
- Zampa Chêne 2010
- Charosa Reserve Tempranillo 2012
- Fratelli SETTE 2010
- Reveilo Nero D’Avola 2012
- KRSMA Sangiovese 2012
- Sula Dindori Reserve Viognier 2013
- Fratelli Chardonnay 2013
- Sula Riesling 2013
- Vallonné Reserve Merlot 2012
- Reveilo Merlot 2012
- Alpine Vindiva Reserve Shiraz 2012
- Reveilo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012
- Mokssh Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
- SDU Deva Syrah 2013
- Sula Sauvignon Blanc 2013
- Grover Art Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2013
- York Winery Chenin Blanc 2013
- Turning Point Chenin Blanc 2013
SILVER MEDAL
- Vallonné Vin de Passerillage Chenin Blanc 2013
- Sula Brut NV
- Sula Brut Rosé NV
- Vallonné Rosé 2013
- Charosa Pleasures Cabernet Shiraz NV
- York Winery Cabernet Merlot 2012
- Sula Red Zinfandel 2013
- Reveilo Sangiovese 2013
- Reveilo Grillo 2012
- Charosa Selections Viognier 2013
- York Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2012
- Mokssh Chardonnay 2012
- Big Banyan Merlot – Goa
- Zampa Syrah 2011
- KRSMA Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
- Sula Chenin Blanc 2013
- Charosa Selections Shiraz 2012
- Reveilo Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
BRONZE MEDAL
- Sula Zinfandel Rose 2013
- Vallonne Crimson Glory 2012
- Reveilo Chardonnay 2013
- Grover Art Collection Viognier 2013
- Chateau d’Ori Cabernet Syrah 2012
- Sula Rasa Shiraz 2012
- Reveilo Syrah Reserve 2012
- Charosa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
- Big Banyan Cabernet Sauvignon
- Myra Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012
- Alpine Classic Shiraz 2012
- Vallonne Chenin Blanc 2013
- Nine Hills Chenin Blanc 2013
