Balaji Rao B.K.,    President,     Hyderabad Wine Club.

SOPEXA is the French privately-funded agency for promoting French Food & Beverages worldwide. Their first major seminar on French wines was conducted on 29 Sept at Hotel Viceroy  for Hyderabad’s food & beverage professionals & several wine enthusiasts. The intensive seminar was conducted by a qualified sommelier, Mr. Magandeep Singh and assisted by Mr. Rajiv Singhal of Sopexa. The seminar consisted of six whole hours of lectures and actual tasting of wines.

 The speakers led the participants on a virtual journey through the major wine regions of France, a country well-known for their quality wines.

The virtual journey began a short distance from Paris, the French Capital, to the Loire River region. This region was where French Kings & their court took refuge during the hot summer months for relaxation & merriment. The Loire, thus, is dotted with fine castles and chateaux (large mansions). Here, river fish & seafood off the mouth of the river are suitably matched by fine white wines and delightful red wines produced in this region. Pouilly Fume, a crisp & refreshing white wine with a hint of smokiness was introduced from this region. It is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, a varietal gaining popularity in India, where it is also produced.

 The other important region for crisp white wines is Chablis, located to the east of Paris. Here wines are made from 100% Chardonnay, the most popular white wine grape in the world. We tasted the Chablis 2000 by Laroche, one of the larger merchants from this region. This wine was less acidic, more elegant with a softer finish and well balanced than the first wine. Chardonnay wines are also popular with Indian wineries.

 Heading south from Chablis, we pass the greater Burgundy region to its southernmost part, called Beaujolais. Here the red Gamay grape holds sway. This red wine is fruity and lively with soft tannins. Here is a red wine that will please most new inductees to wine because it is fruity (banana flavours) and lively and the slightest astringency due to its very soft tannins. A large proportion of the production is enjoyed young with the release of Beaujolais Nouveau on the 3^rd Thursday of November, each year. Since we are too early for this year’s harvest, we had to contend with a Beaujolais Village wine, which should be consumed within 3 years.

 Heading further south towards the Mediterranean Sea, we arrive at Lyons at the start of the great valley of the River Rhone. This great river, which begins its journey from the depths of the Alps mountain range, feeds its precious water to the vineyards planted along its banks. Best known for its robust red wines, some precious & rare white wines are also produced. We enjoyed the robust “Parallel 45”, a blend of Grenache and Syrah grapes. After the earlier delicate & fruity wines, the intense red berry aromas and strong tannins assailed our taste buds. Our tongues felt heavy as we practically chewed on this wine! Our saliva flow was activated by the underlying acidity of the wine. Luckily, it was time for our lunch-break.

 After a sumptuous lunch, we traveled further south along the river to Tavel, well-known for its Rose wines made usually from the Grenache grape. This wine is dry and short with a light ruby red color, a typical example of a French Rose, but quite different from Californian blush wines.

 Now, we take a great leap across France’s Central Massif to the Atlantic coast. Along the banks of the River Gironde and River Dordogne, is the world-famous wine region of Bordeaux. Here, the finest and some of the most expensive wines in the world are produced. We were introduced to a typical example of wines from this region. Saint Emillon Jean- Pierre Moueix, is a Merlot-dominant wine which is full of chocolate, coffee and wet earth flavours with capsicum and a tangy taste plus an unmistakable dolllop of tannin for good measure

After this shock torture to our novice tongues, our speakers soothed our damaged mouth with a wonderful & wildly fragrant white wine with its floral touch like jasmine, and sweet, fruity lychees and a slight hint of a minerally taste and some sweetness. This is the Hugel Gewurztraminer, an extremely aromatic grape grown in the region of Alsace, next to the German border with France.

 Now, feeling much better, it was, however, coming towards to end of a most engaging seminar. The speaker introduced us to our final destination, Champagne. This is the northernmost wine region in France, which produces some of the most sought-after wines for important celebrations – Champagne. This is a wine imbued with carbon dioxide bubbles that rise to the surface when the bottle is opened. We were served the very famous brand, Moet et Chandon to toast to the beginning of the development of a Wine Culture in Hyderabad, at long last! Chateau Indage and Sula Wines produce sparkling wines made in the same manner.

 Magan was full of praise for the participants’ humble behavior, throughout the session, even though Hyderabad is rich both in historic culture and assets. Outsiders continue to be impressed by Hyderabadi Tahazeeb (Tradition), which Hyderabadis must continue to inculcate in your youths.