Despite several wines hitting the domestic wine industry during the last one year, there is nothing better than gifting or sharing a bottle of Rosé Brut bubbly with your valentine. A choice is available from Zampa and Sula, both made with different grapes, and available at around Rs.1000 in most parts of the country. Both are fresh, crisp and with just the right shade of sweetness to enjoy with someone you love even without food.
Zampa introduced the current version of Rose Brut less than two years ago, using 100% Shiraz grape. It has nice salmon colour, engaging berry aromas and fruity flavours of strawberries on your palate. It is fresh and crisp and unlike the maiden version the fizz lasts on your palate long enough. The tannins are soft and mellow but the distinctive presence of mild tannins leaves a nice impression even with vegetarian fare.
The sugar level has been slightly decreased to 7-8 gms/liter from the initial 11 gms/liter, making it pleasant even without food and it does not giving any feeling of cloying. Properly chilled, the flavours make it an easy drinking wine with or without snacks and also a great condiment with most dishes. At Rs.990-1050 in Mumbai, Chandigarh, Goa, Rajasthan (unfortunately it is not available in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab this year as the labels were not registered because of high registration charges), it is slightly over-priced but still available at around 20% of the comparable Champagnes (the real thing) costing Rs.5000 or more, and Rs.1000 won’t come between you and your valentine.
If you want more options, or if you have more than one valentine to whom you want to send a wine bottle as a gift on this special occasion, Sula Rose Brut is an interesting alternative because of its chic packaging. This is also a well made, fruity, crisp and balanced wine made from Chenin Blanc and a small portion of Zinfandel grapes, a bottle of which can be emptied by a loving couple at one romantic sitting.
It is full of zing and zest and very versatile wine that pairs well with slightly spicy Indian and Chinese cuisine. In fact, it was a perfect match with the button mushrooms and konkan fried fish at a special dinner hosted by Sula at ‘Beyond’ vineyard resort last week; I found myself drinking more than a glass of the bubbly the following day at Sulafest too.
When Sula introduced this wine, it took a lot of efforts to uncork the bottle. But the problem has since been resolved. The salmon pink-copper coloured wine is very clean on the nose, with a touch of strawberry and a ring of freshness. The flavour is quite fruity, slightly yeasty with just the right amount of sugar (the standard level for a Brut in Champagne is 0-15 gms-it felt like 9-11 gms on the palate, making it a perfect choice for food.) It impresses with crisp acidity though slightly short on the back palate and the aftertaste could be described only as medium.
It has a low level of 11.5% alcohol. The Méthode Traditionelle on the label implies that it has been produced by double fermentation in the bottle. And laid for 15 months in the bottle gives it complexity and yeasty flavour.
The price of Rs.950-975 and availability in practically every city in India makes it an absolute favourite choice for your valentine
Subhash Arora
Both the wines have been recommended previously too-editor
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