Home Archive Subscribe About Contact     Game, Set, Match – Mr. Wine Enjoyer By Radhika Puar The Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection was launched by Grover Zampa Vineyards Ltd. in 2014 “to exemplify the finest that an Indian wine has to offer to the world”. The wines have been received extremely well across continents, and have won 9 international awards since they were launched. To celebrate the success of the VA Reserve Collection, the Padma Shri awardee, Mr. Vijay Amritraj, who has lent his name to the collection, presented the award winning wines. Alongside at the Pullman Hotel Aerocity New Delhi, were Mr. Ravi Jain and Mr. Sumedh Mandla of Grover Zampa.   Mr. Vijay Amritraj with (l-r) Sumedh Mandla and Isabel Beau de Lomenie   The Wines Both wines show a youthful zest, with a lasting finish. White An oaked Viogner. The wine has a light gold tone and light green tints. It has aromas of stone fruit (more peach than apricot), some kind of dry white flowers and vanilla. On the palate, it is a light, dry wine with ample fruit. Red A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The wine has a deep garnet red colour with purple tints. It has primary aromas of dark, jammy fruits (this land parcel got plenty of sun), spice, and some black fruit. On the palate, in addition to bountiful fruit there is a hint of pepper. The Legend I had the chance to speak to the tennis legend. Mr. Vijay Amritraj described himself as a “wine enjoyer, and not a wine entrepreneur”. He was very excited that in two years since the wines were launched, so many international accolades have come their way. I asked him how the association with Grover Zampa happened? “We go back many years since the Grover family have been good friends of mine. Kapil realised that I only drink wine – no hard liquor at all. So, Kapil said to me, “let’s do a very premium wine with (and for) you”. I agreed with the condition that it had to be something that I really like to drink, something that I really enjoy. So Kapil and his team worked with me for around 3-4 years, to come up with the right kind of wine that is good for my palate…” I prodded Mr Amritraj to share a bit more his take on blends and his idea of a “good” wine. And he obliged! “These two wines represent good blends. I like wines fairly light – the viogner allows that in the white, which can be had with fish or chicken or vegetarian or any of that (pointing to the spread). For the VA red, I didn’t want a really heavy wine.” On which one of his two babies does he prefer, Mr Amritraj was guarded “I live in California and I’m from Chennai, so I go back and forth between the two all the time. I tend to drink a little bit more of white than red, because the weather it’s hot. And so, in the winter I tend to drink a little more red.”   ...when I play tennis, I never say that I’m only competing with McEnroe or Connors or…   When I asked him about the wines competing with others in the space, he said. “I don’t want to say that I’m competing with so and so – like when I play tennis, I never say that I’m only competing with McEnroe or Connors or… No, I’m playing so that I can win the tournament. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing! Similarly, it’s not like these wines are competing with any particular wine – whether it’s French, Australian, New Zealand or Indian – it doesn’t really matter. It’s more a question of saying “hey! I am an Indian brand!” When I played tennis, nobody believed that a tennis player could come out of India. With exactly the same analogy today, nobody could believe that you can get a good wine out of India.” What lies in the future? He did answer the question, “My goal with the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection is to see that the VA wine is served in every country in the world that I ever played tennis in!” Our best wishes in what is left of this endeavour. Radhika Puar was invited by Grover Zampa to this evening. O T H E R     S T O R I E S The Iconic Swirling Glass Vinexpo Hong Kong – Success via Innovation FINE Privileges And Who's Where