Priya Pathiyan was at the launch in Nashik when the first-of-its-kind Shiraz was uncorked. here’s what you can expect.

When Arnaud de Saignes, President, Chandon (LVMH), flew in for a ‘reveal’ at Chandon’s plush experience centre in Nashik, it was evident something quite different and exciting was on the cards.

After a winery tour, where guests saw how the brand’s bubbly is made, Ipsita Das, Managing Director, Moët Hennessy India, waxed poetic on Chandon’s ‘what if’ approach while introducing a brand-new expression — a still red Shiraz named Aurva!

We saw how the enthusiasm of Head Winemaker Kaushal Khairnar, Chandon’s youngest Chef de Cave, embodying the ‘what if’ and the ‘why not’, tempered by the expertise of Dan Buckle, Viticulture and Winemaking Director of Chandon Australia, has led to some rather meticulous and yet maverick moves in the making of this wine. Sanskrit for ‘of the earth’, it has truly been a labour of love for the team.

Not only were the grapevines trained in a particular way, but even the individual shoots were schooled to perfection! Getting the exact amount of sunshine and fresh air was deemed as essential as a double sorting of the hand-picked grapes. As if that were not enough, the wine was later aged in oak barrels sourced from French cooper François Frères. A year and two months later, Aurva was ready to make its debut at a beautiful sit-down dinner in Chandon’s Nashik elegant experience centre.

The 30BB Taste Test

The 14% ABV Aurva bears a deep ruby hue, with hints of aubergine. It’s a fruity and smooth, easy-drinking red, one that is quite accessible to first-time red wine drinkers. Khairnar recommends decanting it for half an hour before drinking to release the aroma and ‘open up’ the Shiraz properly. Tasting notes include dark fruit, deep vanilla, intense coffee, and chocolate. The oakiness from the barrel-aging is not in your face, and comes across more as a background characteristic, leaving room for the other flavours to bloom.

Price: Rs 4,250 at the new retail space in Domain Chandon, Nashik, and at select Mumbai retailers. Soon to be seen in Delhi and Gurugram.