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Moet Hennessy India, part of French luxury group LVMH, extended its Chandon spirits label in India to the still wines segment, with Chandon Aurva which has been made at Chandon India’s Dindori winery, in Nashik; the Shiraz grapes for Aurva were apparently trained in such a way so there was only one shoot per branch and each shoot was only allowed to grow a fixed number of bunches.
Also Read: A Guide To Buying The Right Red Wine
The grapes are harvested by hand and the wine is fermented in custom-built stainless steel tanks for around 10 days, following which it's matured for around 14 months in French oak barrels made by century-old cooper.
“For years we have harnessed the power of our global lineage and shared viticulture methods across all our wineries worldwide. Born from Chandon’s decades of shared know-how, Aurva reflects a commitment to transmission and collaboration. It’s not just a good idea; it’s a product of skill, experience, and a touch of magic,” said Chandon India's Kaushal Khairnar.
The fruit-forward aromatic Shiraz is a collaboration between Khairrnar, who happens to be the youngest of Chandon’s chefs de caves, and Chandon Australia’s winemaking director, Dan Buckle, a celebrated talent in Shiraz winemaking.
The 100-percent deep ruby Shiraz has a purple hue and a fruity nose which balances a silky smoothness. The 14% ABV wine which has a recommended decanting time of 30 minutes, also promises distinct hints of flavours of cloves, cherry, blueberry and plum. Chandon now joins Grover Vineyards and Fratelli in producing premium Indian wines in the Rs. 4000+ category.
The red wine is available at Chandon’s new retail space at their Nashik winery, and some select Mumbai wine retailers and star restaurants. It will reportedly soon be retailed in Delhi and Gurugram. Priced at a price point of Rs. 4250, the Aurva is projected to be the third most expensive red wine in India, after Grover Vineyards' Signet range which offers five varietals of red and Fratelli's full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon J'Noon Red, which uses Petit Verdot, Marselan, and Cabernet Franc grapes.
"With the launch of Aurva, we aim to showcase Nashik’s craftsmanship and encourage people to savour and explore another premium homegrown wine from the Moët Hennessy India portfolio. Aurva is a wine we are honoured to introduce to India and the world," said Ipsita Das, Managing Director, Moët Hennessy India. Like most Shiraz varieties, Aurva pairs well with grilled, seasoned meats. However, it is emerging to be a terrific party wine since its silky finish makes it pairable with roasted vegetables, Indian barbecues and kebabs and flavourful charcuterie curations.
