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| On a different wicket: Glenn McGrath |
| By Ravi Joshi |
| Odds are high that a cricket lover in India will not be aware of a wine brand, but flip this and any Indian wine lover will surely look upto Glenn McGrath. Australia has won 5 Cricket World Cups and is seen as a mascot of wine from the new world. Hardys, the Aussie wine giant, have appointed Glenn McGrath as their Brand Ambassador – a special label "Hardys Art of Cricket" will carry Pigeon's* photo and signature. |
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Glenn McGrath with the Australian High Commissioner in India, H.E. Patrick Suckling
and Ann-Marie Battista from Hardys |
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| Glenn beamed with the wine fraternity in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore recently. The Australian High Commissioner in India, H.E. Patrick Suckling, hosted the "Hardys fine Australian wine and True Aussie Lamb" at his Residence for a wine lovers group of about 50 persons. High Commissioner Suckling welcomed Glenn and acknowledged his cult fan following in India. He was pleased that the ministerial initiatives in the recent months had resulted in more opportunities like this one, to realise the potential for wine trade between Australia and India. |
| "Both cricket and wine are pursuits of passion and it is my pleasure to bring these two together", Glenn said. He claims that he lives to eat and does not eat to live. This association with Hardys will give him more chances to visit India, a country that he thinks of as his second home. In lighter vein, he also said that as a Brand Ambassador, he finds more acceptability amongst Indians since he is no longer bowling to Sachin Tendulkar! |
| In conversation, Glenn shared that to be conversant with the winemaking philosophy of the brand, he spent time at the Hardys facility in Adelaide, understanding the intricacies of winemaking. |
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The wine display |
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| The inspiring cuisine by Chef Justin Zammit of Epicure (Brisbane) was truly an epicurean experience, and accompanied well the wines for the evening (prices are indicated ex Delhi/ Mumbai): |
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Hardys Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling (₹ 1320/1755)
A balanced fruity sparkling.
Served with corn fed chicken liver terrine with raisin chutney and rosemary brioche. |
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Hardys Riesling-Gewurztraminer (₹ 960/1390)
An aromatic wine with abundance of tropical fruits and an off-dry inclination.
Served with homemade duck prosciutto, honey black pepper glaze, rye bread crouton. |
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Hardys Chardonnay-Semillon (₹ 1060/1390)
A light and refreshing wine with stone fruit flavours.
Served with poached green asparagus, extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried heirloom tomatoes and herbal buffalo mozzarella (served warm in petit jars). |
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Hardys Cabernet-Merlot (₹ 820/1390)
An expressive wine, showing red berries and oak aromas accompanied by a fruity palate.
Served with charred yoghurt marinated Australian lamb, salad of baby cos and pomegranate, toum and za atar flat bread; Spring Australian lamb confit, potato mousseline and jus; Roasted Australian lamb loin, butternut pumpkin,smoked eggplant and semolina fondant. |
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Hardys Shiraz-Cabernet (₹ 1080/1390)
A robust wine with aromas of blackberries, dark cherries and spice with a complementing palate and an oaky finish.
Served with salt water Australian lamb, smoked carrot shavings and crisp ancient grains; Slow poached Australian lamb loin, coconut green curry. |
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| Hardys dates back to 1857, when Thomas Hardy bottled his first vintage and became one of the first exporters of Australian wines. Japan is the largest market for Hardys wines in Asia, with India logging in eighth – very encouraging for a country with per capita consumption of just a few milliliters of wine! In India, these wines are available since 2003 through Sula Selections, and are presently available in 17 Indian states. The Art of Cricket collection will hit the Indian shelves by August this year. |
| Ann-Marie Battista, Hardys representative, told me that the brand is steeped in tradition and has won more than 9000 international wine awards. Hardys is largely recognised for being approachable, consistent, fun and dependable. Cricket mirrors these exact sentiments – technique, consistency, knowledge and years of hard work and perseverance. Hardys are honoured to introduce Glenn as their Brand Ambassador to India. "We believe our partnership with Glenn is perfect to raise Hardys brand awareness with wine consumers and become the Australian brand of choice in India", added Ann-Marie. |
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Glenn McGrath with Ravi Joshi |
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| The 'pigeon' looks set to fly the long haul. |
| * Pigeon – McGrath’s nick name |
| Ravi Joshi was invited by the Australian High Commission to this evening. Please share any feedback with vino india info@vinoindia.in |
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