KRSMA Estates

    India Wine Awards 2019: Indian wines hold their own
    October 22, 2019

    Quality has its own rewards, and the tweaks made to the India Wine Awards 2019 format  by Sonal Holland MW demonstrated that Indian wines could hold their ground against international competition

    The spotlights are off, the music has faded, the chairs are stacked and stashed away. The 3rd edition of the India Wine Awards is done. There has been good media coverage on the event (congratulations to all winners!) and the record numbers of entries (376 including the segment of wines paired with food). As I was wandering notebook in hand, around the Sangiovese vineyards in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region at the time, I was unable to attend the high-octane, glitzy awards night held at The Leela Mumbai on 5th October 2019, although I had sipped and spit my way through two intense days of judging earlier with my fellow jury members.

    But I was curious about the post-event learnings and takeaways.

    Indian wines on an upward trajectory

    • Sonal Holland MW with Grover Zampa’s Ravi Vishwanathan
    • …and with Fabrizio Giustarini of the Italian Trade Agency & Consul-General Stefania Costanza

    There is little doubt that Indian wine is improving steadily. This is clearly visible every year, as more of the top wineries jostle for awards and prizes. However, there is still woefully little awareness of the rising quality of the wines among Indian consumers, who often prefer to pop a bottle from Australia or South Africa than splash out on wine from Nashik or Nandi Hills.

    Apropos to this, one of the most interesting changes for me at this year’s awards was IWA founder Sonal Holland MW’s decision to create a common judging category where both Indian and imported international wines were judged on par, separated only by grape or style. For the 2019 edition, 320 wines were entered in the tasting competition, of which Indian wine to international wines was in the encouraging ratio of 50:50. Said Holland, “It gives me great joy to report that throughout the blind tastings, the (Indian) wines held their own. As India’s wine industry matures, and domestic wines go from strength to strength, I’m happy to share we are the first awards in India to recognise that at comparable price-points, well-made examples of Indian wines are on par with international ones for their world-class attributes.” Of the 12 wines adjudged Best in Show, 5 were Indian wine, spread across several producers and styles.

    So, good news here.

    Imported wines still rule in the Indian market

    However, for India’s beleaguered importers, struggling to deal with whimsical and arbitrary policy changes and regulations, the results were also good. Holland explained, “It is the international labels which are growing at a faster clip and are contributing to the depth and understanding of wine and its culture in India.”

    More good news, then, all around.

    While we bask in the light of these positives, do go through the list of winners below. For more details on the India Wine Awards, please check here.

    LIST OF TROPHY WINES AND CATEGORIES INDIA WINE AWARDS 2019

    Best in Show

    • Champagne G.H.Mumm NV , France

    • Grover Zampa Chêne Grand Réserve 2015 , India

    • J’NOON Red 2017 , India

    • The Source Grenache Rosé 2019 , India

    • Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec 2018, Argentina

    • KRSMA Syrah 2017, India

    • SDU Reserva Syrah 2015 , India

    • Bodegas Ego Fuerza, Spain

    • Dry Creek Vineyards Heritage Vines Zinfandel, USA

    • Paul Jabuolet Aine, Les Traverses, Ventoux AOC, 2016, France

    • Framingham Pinot Noir Marlborough, New Zealand

    • Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella DOC Superiore 2015, Italy

    (more…)
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    News & Views  / Wine in India

    Here comes the Syrah!
    May 22, 2018

    KRSMA Estates is gearing up to release the first ever vintage of their much-awaited small-batch Syrah. Co-founder Uma Chigurupati explains its background and how it fits with their own winemaking ethos.

     

    It’s a truth universally acknowledged that whatever India’s KRSMA Estates does with its small but focused portfolio, becomes news. This is not unusual for KRSMA, established as one of the top wine brands in India in a few short years.

    Their flagship wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon, now with its fourth vintage in the market, has been winning awards ever since its high-profile launch. The Sauvignon Blanc has its steady fans, and its second label, the youthful, fresh K2 has also made its mark.

    Over the last few years, insiders have been hearing whispers about a bright new star – a premium Syrah, quite unique to its terroir – being added to the portfolio. Founder Krishna Prasad Chigurupati himself had confirmed this, adding that the grape has been doing exceptionally well in the dry, schist-rich soils of Hampi Hills, where KRSMA’s vineyards occupy pioneering pride of place, not too far from the historical UNESCO World Heritage site.

    KRSMA co-founder Uma Chigurupati at the vineyards in Hampi Hills

    I was fortunate to have a first tasting of this wine with the Chigurupatis in Hyderabad. Over dinner, Krishna Chigurupati poured a red wine, bright ruby and deeply aromatic into my glass without a word of explanation. What is this? I asked. One whiff and the question proved redundant. The distinct aromas of black pepper, spice and bright red fruits identified it: this was KRSMA Estates Syrah 2016, of which only 800 bottles have been made for this vintage. Pairing effortlessly with my perfectly cooked prime cut of meat, the Syrah impressed with every sip. On release, it promises to take its place among the best Indian red wines.

    So, on a visit to the vineyards shortly thereafter, I sat down with co-founder Uma Chigurupati (incidentally also a qualified soil microbiologist) and asked her about their Syrah, now three vintages produced and the 2016 vintage shortly set to launch. The conversation gave insights into the functioning of this family-owned wine producer, barely a decade in the business, who believes that quality is king. Also, the unique terroir of Hampi Hills and the singular winemaking practices of KRSMA Estates, reasons which make it one of the top wine brands in India.

    Watch the video interview with Uma Chigurupati, below.

    The KRSMA Estates Syrah 2016 will be released end-2018 or early 2019. Price and availability not yet finalised.

    http://www.krsmaestates.com

    Twitter: @KRSMAEstates

    Instagram: @krsmaestates

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    Interviews  / Wine in India

    The KRSMA Manifest 2018: Sip of things to come
    April 17, 2018

    Just four years after its ritzy launch, India’s KRSMA Estates is busy re-doing, re-thinking and re-vamping its portfolio. The single constant factor is a laser-focus insistence on quality.
    A quick check in with the Chigurupatis spells out the changes and the constants.

     

    KRSMA wins Best Indian Winery at the Living Foodz Epicurean Guild Awards 2018

    At the recently held Living Foodz Epicurean Guild Awards 2018 in Mumbai, the award for Best Indian Winery was given to the Hampi Hills-based KRSMA Estates by a 22-member jury.

    This is not the first time that KRSMA has won an award and it is unlikely to be the last. In the four years since its launch, it has quickly established itself as a quality-focused owner-driven Indian wine producer who pretty much marches to its own drumbeats, steering clear of crowd-pleasing decision-making. And its wines, currently available in just two Indian cities fly rapidly off the shelves.  Regular grumbles among wine lovers about the difficulty in accessing stocks has given it something of a cult following. Whenever I travel to other parts of India, wine-loving folk often ask me KRSMA-related questions. What’s up? What’s new?

    When I recently met up with both the owners at a KRSMA wine dinner at Bengaluru’s new dining hot spot, The Smoke Co, it was a rare opportunity. Krishna Chigurupati keeps busy with his ‘day job’ at his pharmaceutical company and his wife Uma her own commitments (though they continue to remain firmly hands-on with their wines) so it’s a rarity these days to catch them both together over a KRSMA-paired meal. Ergo, it was the perfect moment to get a first-hand update on the ‘what’s up’ and ‘what’s new’ questions.

    Uma and Krishna Prasad Chigurupati

    Seated next to Krishna Chigurupati at the dinner, I asked him about the latest from the Hampi Hills. Here’s an update.

     

    KRSMA Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

    After the release of KRSMA Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, the 2012 vintage was released and sold out in a jiffy, establishing KRSMA as one of the top wine brands in India. However, Krishna Chigurupati deemed the 2013 vintage not good enough to be bottled as their flagship Cabernet. Things improved with the 2014 vintage, which if you can get your hands on a bottle, is presently drinking at its peak. 2015, the current vintage in the market is still growing into its elder sibling’s boots but promises to reward the patience of those willing to wait a few more months. “Stocks of the 2015 will last until early 2019,” Chigurupati tells me. “Our Cabernet is improving year on year. Wait for the 2016.  And I think the 2017 will be very good.”

    Updated reports on the Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 from the KRSMA winery says to expect good things and more from the 2016 vintage –  a wine that will be fruit forward (red fruit and dark berries) with good structure from the oak (currently a little harsh as expected but will settle) and all the complexity you can expect from one of India’s top red wine brands. Promise of excellent acidity and balance.

    And as for the Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, it has reportedly been harvested at the perfect time, is showing promise of perfect fruit and acidity and is developing rapidly. Should be a biggie. (more…)

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    News & Views  / Wine in India

    20/3235: India wins some at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2017
    September 21, 2017

    The results are out for the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) 2017 recently held in Hong Kong, and there are several interesting points to note – among them the positive showing by several Indian wine producers who scooped up several medals and commendations

     

     3235 wines from around the world were judged at DAWA 2017

    Judged by over 50 qualified judges

    15 wines received the topmost accolade – Platinum Best in show.

    China wins 69 medals plus commendations

    India wins 6 silver, 12 bronze medals, plus commendations

    Stellar showing in the medals tally by China, Argentina and Australia, as well as New Zealand and France.

     

     

    India’s shows its ‘metal’

    The Indian wine industry has been participating in several international wine competitions for a while now. And while it is not fair to compare the fledgling wine industry in India with bigger, older and more regulated ones around the world, things seem to be looking up overall.

    Silver medals for India included two for Grover Zampa Vineyards, for La Réserve 2015 (91 points), its popular red wine blend, and Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection 2016, a 100% Viognier (90 points). This, along with 8 bronze medals, making it the biggest winner from India. (My recent blog post on GZV award-winning spree, here.)

    Fratelli Wines based in Solapur, Maharashtra, also picked up two silvers, for their MS Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (92 points) , a collaboration between international wine veterans Masi and Spurrier, and the Vitae barrel-fermented Chardonnay 2015 (92 points), along with 3 bronzes. KRSMA Estates situated in Hampi Hills and known for its small but strong portfolio, won two, a silver and a bronze each for its KRSMA Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (90 points) and Sauvignon Blanc 2017 respectively. Somanda Vineyards of Nashik, Maharashtra, won a silver for its Soma Brut Cuvée 2015, a 100% Chenin Blanc (90 points). Interestingly, 3 Indian rosés received high scores at the awards – two still and one sparkling  – in a country where rosés have still to reach wider acceptance.

    Judged the best

    Sonal Holland MW, who became India’s first Master of Wine last year, was one of the new additions at DAWA 2017 to a jury comprised of several heavyweights from the world of wine. She explained why Decanter, as a wine competition, garners so much respect: it is considered “a benchmark for wine competitions” because of the systems it adheres to. “The quality of the judges was world class and they were meticulously selected. The judging was based purely on merit in the context of the specific flights of wines being tasted. Every wine was discussed in detail, with the Vice Chair presided over discussions to ensure nothing was overlooked for the final outcome. No Indian jury member was permitted to judge any of the Indian wines.” It was a sterling exercise, one made more so by the fact that there were 3235 wines entered in the competition, and each had to be tasted. Heading the list of judges as the Chair, DAWA 2017 was Steven Spurrier, while other big name international judges at the competition included Gerard Basset MW MS OBE and Andrew Jefford, both of whom have earned themselves widespread respect in the international wine circles.

    China won 69 medals and many more Commendations, bringing to the fore the usual old India-China comparisons. But we should move beyond that, said Holland. “It wouldn’t be fair to compare the results from India with China. Every country has great wines, mediocre wines and wines not really fit to exist. It is heartening to know that all the Indian wineries which have won here were deserving ones. We should celebrate our success. It’s great to think good work is being done in India, and we should rejoice in the wins.”

    French-qualified sommelier, author and educator Magandeep Singh of Wi-Not Beverage Solutions has been a judge at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) held in London, besides several other noted wine competitions like the IWC. He approves the “pragmatic approach” to judging that is taken at these competitions, including DAWA. “There is a rich talent pool of judges and an opportunity to learn in these competitions, especially in London which is the epicentre of wine. And if any Indian wine producers win a medal, they are entitled to place a sticker from Decanter on their medal-winning bottle, which can help a layperson decide if the wine is worth buying when they see it on the shelf.”

    Is this a game changer when it comes to selling and marketing Indian wine? Not so much at this point, he feels. “But for Indian producers, there is nothing to lose.” (more…)

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    News & Views  / Wine in India