The gently rolling hills of Nashik are some of the most unique in the land – a rich terroir dominated by the rich black soil. Grapes are particularly well-suited – leading winemakers to set up shop … well vineyards, with increasing frequency, and coming up with wines that are increasingly competing at the global level. The latest is Aurva, a red wine that becomes only the third offering from Chandon India. “We are excited about launching Aurva in India,” says Arnaud de Saignes, president, Chandon (LVMH). “Our expertise in Shiraz is the genesis from which the idea of Aurva began to form. For Aurva, we had a clear idea of what we wanted from the grape. We wanted finesse and elegance as well as power, drawing drama from the tension between these two. It had to be fruit-forward and easy to drink, a showcase of the black- and red-fruit lusciousness of Shiraz, but with an element of sophistication from judicious use of oak. A great, poetic Shiraz with a local inflection. A still wine that would push the boundaries of Shiraz, which would stand up proudly and even challenge more traditional expressions around the globe.” Chandon was founded 10 years ago in India and our 100 per cent Shiraz Chandon sparkling Rosé has already demonstrated our mastery of this unique red grape variety garnering international recognition at the most respected wine challenges. Chandon India's journey has been a rewarding experience, marked by several remarkable highlights that have defined our presence in the Indian wine market, says de Saignes. “Our Chandon India rosé sparkling was voted Best Indian sparkling wine in 2020 at CSWWC, the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships, the ‘Oscars’ when it comes to sparkling wines and champagne wines,” he points out. “This achievement not only celebrated the quality of our wine but also showcased India's potential in the world of winemaking. Today, we are the leaders in the premium sparkling wine category.” “As we look back at our journey, we are immensely proud of the market we could create for premium sparkling wines,” adds Ipsita Das, managing director, Moët Hennessy India. “Our sparkling wines have gained popularity in metro cities and select Tier 1 and 2 cities, with consumers embracing them for various occasions, from brunches to sundowners on the beach.” The Indian wine story India's overall consumption of spirits and wines is on the rise, with wines experiencing faster growth compared to more mature spirit categories. This upward trajectory indicates the growing potential of wines in the Indian market. Despite the progress, the wine market is still relatively nascent compared to spirits, emphasising the importance of exploring strategies to expand the market and consumer base in the coming years.
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Aurva is the first still wine from Chandon
