Tag Archives: wine

The Story Behind Reveilo’s Grillo

November 13, 2015 All Things Nice Leave a comment

Grillo is a widely grown white-wine grape variety native to Sicily. It produces a still dry white wine with good acidity.

The Reveilo Grillo greets you with a bouquet of citrus, lemon, orange and grapefruit. It is a medium bodied with crisp acidity and a long mineral after taste. This particular wine has won a Silver Medal at the Indian Wine Consumers Choice Awards 2015.

We met with Kiran Patil of Reveilo Wines and asked her why Reveilo chose to create this beautiful, unique wine to add to their portfolio.

‘The choice of this grapes essentially emanated from our personal liking of the varietal. My husband Yatin was presented with a bottle of Catarratto Grillo on his visit to Italy in 2003. Back home in Mumbai, when we had the wine, we were pleasantly surprised. We were contemplating the plantation of the new varietals with the vision of providing the Indian consumer with an authentic Italian experience. This motivated us to stride the untreaded path. Our winemaker Andrea suggested planting this varietal in India, as this variety can withstand high temperatures and could respond well to the Indian climatic conditions. Subsequently, we imported the root stocks from Italy and planted it on the Indian soil in Nashik in 2006, the first vintage of which has been in 2009’

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Arola Celebrates Its Third Anniversary!

August 17, 2015 All Things Nice Leave a comment

By Nikhil Agarwal, Sommelier & CEO at All Things Nice

Chef Sergi Arola hosted a small group of people including me to celebrate the third anniversary of Arola at Mumbai’s JW Marriott. The group was made up largely of fellow wine writers, chefs and bloggers invited by the Food Bloggers Association of India.

Arola is Chef Sergi’s India outpost. For the uninitiated, Sergi specializes in cuisine from Catalunya, Spain with multiple Michelin stars at various establishments across the globe. The excellent Chef Manuel is at the helm of the restaurant in Mumbai and an all around star in general. Sergi spends his time globetrotting and looking over his restaurants in Istanbul, Spain, Portugal and other parts of the world.

The dinner started off a little quiet with my fellow diners more interested in tweeting about their food and drink rather than actually eating and drinking. Things seemed to find some balance eventually over endless Martini’s interrupted by Gin and tonics (we were after all at a gin bar) and the night unfolded into conversations about food and music. We had the resident DJ playing Led Zeplin as we chowed down on some delicious food.

Here’s the menu for the evening

Manchego Cheese

Jamón Ibérico

Iberian Ham served with Pan-Tomato

Gazpacho

Salmon Ahumado, Queso de Cabra, Esparagos Blancos

Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese, White Asparagus

Patatas Bravas

‘Bravas de AROLA’, Fried Potatoes, Filled with a Spicy Tomato Sauce

Pollo de Corral

Chicken Wings, Deboned and Lacquered with Spices

Gambas al Ajillo

Prawns, Garlic, Fresh Red Chili, Fresh Parsley

Coca de Pollo Moruno

Moruno Chicken, American Corn, Coca

Coca de Verduras

Sauteed Vegetables and Bocconcini Coca

Arola Special Seafood Paella

Arola Style Vegetable Paella

Huevos y Canela

Caramelized Eggs, Cinnamon”Crema Catalana”, Mandarin Sorbet

Baileys Truffle with Coconut Mousse

Arola is Mumbai’s only Spanish restaurant, well there could be one more but I don’t think they are in the same league. I actually love the vibe of the place; they have a beautiful lounge section at the far end ahead of the bar that opens out to the JW pool below and the sea. The bar itself is probably one of the coolest bars in Mumbai, the food is super and the wine selection is good. On a personal note I have always loved Spanish cuisine and wine. I do hope that we see an influx of standalone Spanish restaurants that are accessible to everyone. Until then, thank you for being around Arola.

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IWCCA & CIF Recognized by Winemaker Andrea Valentinuzzi

July 29, 2015 All Things Nice Leave a comment

Reveilo’s Chief Winemaker Andrea Valentinuzzi has some very positive feedback on the Indian Wine Consumer’s Choice Awards and Celebrating India’s Finest. We couldn’t be more proud!

Joe_phots 059.tif — Reveilo’s Andrea Valentinuzzi

“The Indian Wine Consumer’s Choice Awards (IWCCA) and Celebrating India’s Finest (CIF) are excellent platforms to showcase the best wines that India has to offer. The consumers get to taste the wines blind and vote for their favorite wines relying on their senses rather than any external influence which should be the ideal way since the preference of a wine is such a subjective topic.

It is beneficial for the brands to participate, as they get to interact with the consumers and get an instant feedback about the wines which is so important to ensure consumer satisfaction and converting new consumers to their brand.

It is also effective when different outlet owners or decision makers visit the event and see the consumer response towards various wines and in turn help them select appropriate wines for their outlets. The IWCCA and CIF indeed have been a boon to the Indian wine industry since it is the one of the few events that the consumers, the buyers of the wines choose what they like without any bias. We believe more people/organizations should encourage these activities for the benefit of the industry as a whole”

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Our Iconic Cloudy Bay Wine Dinner

May 20, 2015 All Things Nice Leave a comment

All Things Nice and Chandon India hosted an iconic dinner with Cloudy Bay, New Zealand’s most famous winery, at the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. Over 35 guests enjoyed an evening of fabulous wine paired with an outstanding menu by Chef Chaitanya Sharma at The Kitchen, a quaint little space that allowed everyone to be in close quarters to the live action in the kitchen.

The wines served were stars from the Cloudy Bay portfolio – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and finally Te Koko, a unique style of Sauvignon Blanc. Some of Chef Sharma’s creations included the Sous Vide Tiger Prawns, Truffled Potato Gnocchi and the Roast Lamb Loin in Butternut Squash Puree. In our opinion Cloudy Bay offers super high quality wines that arefull of freshness and finesse and you cannot but help fall in love with them. We weren’t surprised that this evening turned out to be such a great success!

Here is a look at the outstanding menu we enjoyed

Pass Around Canapés

Asparagus Fricassee In Mini Bouchees (V)
or
Goat Cheese And Walnut With California Grape (V)
or
Home Cured Salmon In Rye Baguette
or
Smoked Chicken And Green Apple On Whole Wheat Crisp

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand

First Course

Roasted Baby Beets With Arugula, Shaved Fennel, Pommery Honey Dressing (V)
or
Sous Vide Tiger Prawns With Cauliflower Puree And Pickled Root Vegetables
or

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand

Second Course

Truffled Potato Gnocchi, Toasted Pinenuts, BeurreNoisette (V)
or
Roast Lamb Loin, Butternut Squash Puree, Glazed Confit Carrots, Thyme Jus
or
Cloroudy Bay Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand

Third Course

Platter of Brie, gruyere and chevre with wheat crisps

Cloudy Bay Te Koko 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

Petit Fours

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All Things Nice and Myra Vineyards at Asilo

December 8, 2014 All Things Nice Leave a comment

Nikhil Agarwal, Sommelier & Director All Things Nice along with Asilo’s Sanam Sippy co-hosted an extravagant soiree at ‘Asilo’, Palladium Hotel with Myra Vineyards award winning wines.

rwa

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All Things Nice Wine Dinner at O:h Cha

December 8, 2014 All Things Nice Leave a comment

All Things Nice hosted a wine dinner at o:h cha wherein we paired a very special eight course dinner menu prepared by Chef Statit Chaimano with extraordinary wines from all over the world.

Wines for the evening were:
Myra Vineyards, Brown Brothers Winery, Neethlingshof, Grover Zampa Vineyards, Chandon India, Charosa Vineyards, Ron Carta Vieja – Bolivia and Reveilo Wines

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Fine Wine Evening at The Table

December 8, 2014 All Things Nice Leave a comment

All Things Nice hosted a private Fine Wine tasting at The Table with Amphora Portfolio Management, our Fine Wine Investment partners from the UK. Wines for the night were Chateau Margaux 2003, Chateau Montrose 2003 and Chateau Pavie 2003.

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Article by Nikhil Agarwal for Yuva Magazine

November 5, 2014 All Things Nice Leave a comment

I didn’t always know what I wanted to do but I knew exactly what I didn’t want to do!

I didn’t want to be just another extension number in a big fancy office, didn’t want to sign a muster at 8:59am, or carry an Id card around my neck to go to work every single day.

Don’t get me wrong, I have loved all my jobs considering that most of my career I have worked for wine companies that were very cool to be a part of and through working for them I realized that wine for me is where home is!

I fell in love with wine.

The idea that the reason that someone out there is drinking and enjoying wine is because I played some part in getting that wine to them or introducing that wine or wine style to them gives me a big high. I always wondered how many people across India were drinking wine on a Saturday night that I helped push down the supply chain.

The more I got involved in wine the more I more wanted to learn about wine. I also developed a serious passion for talking about wine and I derived tremendous joy from turning people onto wine. I soon realized that this was my mission in life – to take consumption of wine in India to world class standards. I wasn’t about to go save the world but I definitely wanted to make it more pleasurable via what we drink and what we eat. Sounds corny, it is but who cares.

But this is all a dream that is far from reality and let me tell you the process of getting people onto wine isn’t easy.

Starting your own business can be one of life’s most fulfilling experiences but it’s also a motherf^%f*%^ker. Be prepared for one hell of a rollercoaster ride.

I have worked for other people for over 12 years but always dreamt of starting something that was my own. Most people dream, you just have to get serious about what you want to do and go about doing it. Leave aside fears, your business may not succeed but at least you gave it a shot. You wont go through life thinking ‘what if’ ? And if you give it all that you have plus more you will succeed.

Success comes in a simple formula – hard work x time = Ferrari or Louis Vuitton ,whatever tickles your fancy !

Each and every one of us in our own way is qualified to be an entrepreneur; you just need to have an idea and an excellent execution plan.

Most people already know what they want to do but for some reason, social, financial, spousal etc they don’t take the plunge; they don’t give in to doing what their heart desires.

So I guess my first piece of advice is to listen to that voice inside you that keeps telling you maybe I want to be starting a photography business instead on this job that does not interest me.

Make a document, your venture bible of sorts of all the people who can help you, clients you know off, clients people you know may know off, your assets, costs and an estimation for when you think you will break even.

Think think think , network network network, get your brand name ready, logo designed and your website up and running and your brochures printed for each and every meeting. Depending on the type of business your in and sales projected get your sales tax number/ service tax number etc.

Take a business loan if required but before you go to a bank for a loan have a clear strategy in mind. You must convince them that not only is your plan fantastic and your product saleable but you yourself need to inspire confidence, you need to sell your concept to a banks loan manager who will not have as much knowledge as you do about your product and its market neither the passion you have.

Find out everything about market dynamics, who the major buyers are, what are the buying, what influences their buying decisions. Who they currently are buying from, who your competitors and at what price or what quality are their products or services.

In a nutshell research and then top it off with some more research. You must know everything there is to know about your market place.

For me it’s wine. For you it may be medicine, banking, fashion, sports, advertising, movie making, jewelry designing, hospitality, web design, or diversifying the family business… whatever it may be…! The world is your oyster !

You gotta do your own thing, love what you do, and wake up wanting to get to work every morning!

Nikhil Agarwal, Sommelier and Director at All Things Nice – www.allthingnice.in

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Health Benefits of Wine

November 5, 2014 All Things Nice Leave a comment

So what’s all the fuss about? Is wine really good for you or is it some clever marketing gimmick that a wine brand manager thought up? No, not one bit. There is clear proven reasoning why wine, especially red wine, is good for you. Here’s a look at why –

In the beginning wine was used in very early times by healers and priests who used wine not only for healing but for religious purposes as well. Wine was considered safer to drink than water at the time and therefore right form the start wine has always been considered somewhat of an alternative medicine or a drink with mysterious health benefits.

Red wine, more than white wine is rich in a compound called phenolics (sometimes call polyphenolics).These phenolics are derived from the skin (dark skin gives red wine its colour), stalk etc of the grape. These particular compounds have anti oxidant properties.

One of the many phenolic compounds found in wine that has gained considerable attention is Resveratol which has potent anti oxidant properties. This is also found in green tea which is also known for being good for ones health; don’t take my word for it ask the Chinese.

Any alcohol in MODERATE amounts is widely believed to be good for ones health including spirits and beer. The word moderate here is key and most countries have issued guidelines on what moderate drinking should be in terms of standard drinks per day per person.

The health benefits of wine became widely known in 1991 when the American TV show 60 minutes did a programme discussing how people in France were indulging themselves in eating a diet rich in fat no less and drinking copious amounts of wine without any bad effects on their health in comparison to their American counterparts. This is now commonly known as the French Paradox. The answer they found was in their habit of drinking wine and also the method in which they consumed it i.e. with their meals. The show overnight changed the fortunes of many wineries and producers and world over sales of red wine went through the roof!

Similar studies in Italy have also shown that drinking with meals also reduces the risk of heart attacks and other heart diseases.

The biggest advantage of drinking wine is its effects on coronary heart disease. A moderate amount of alcohol improves the balance between the harmful and beneficial forms of cholesterol and helps in the thinning of blood. Wine has also been linked in its effects on reducing the risk of certain kinds of cancers but there is not enough research to substantiate this accurately. It can help people with respiratory problems however can trigger wheezing in asthmatics due to presence of sulfites. This is why you will find that most wine labels will mention “Contains Sulfites’. Wine has also been linked to prevention of loss of vision with age, lowering the risk of non insulin dependant diabetes.

For weight watchers dry wines have fewer calories than other spirits or beers, especially spirits that are consumed with mixers.

Nobody advocates drinking copious amounts of wine or any alcohol to get incremental health benefits, infact that will do serious harm. However, there is a feeling backed by proof that moderate drinking is better for you than heavy drinking quite obviously but also better than not drinking at all.

On that note, I wish you compliments of the season and urge you to try and drink sensibly…Cheers !

Nikhil Agarwal, Sommelier and Director at All Things Nice – www.allthingnice.in

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Article by Nikhil Agarwal for Restaurant Week India Magazine

November 5, 2014 All Things Nice Leave a comment

Folks I’m going to keep this simple. Wine isn’t rocket science, in fact nothing is rocket science except of course rocket science itself.

To begin your path to vinous discovery you must taste in order to choose wines effectively. Sounds like fun? It is. Feel free; take a sip from the glass of the fellow on the next table if you must. The more you taste the better. Build a memory bank of wine flavours. The more you taste the more you will understand the differences between grape varieties, regions and most importantly the style of wine that you like and don’t like.

To make it easy some restaurant wine lists have the tasting notes of the wine mentioned below the wine, if it sounds appealing to you, go for it. Don’t be afraid to ask your server for some advise, this however I must caution you only works in select places, like the ones I consult for example. The tasting note on the back of a bottle will give you a lot of information as well incase your buying from a retail store.

Sure you’ll pick a few duds in the process but it will only make you enjoy the good ones more and I predict if you give yourself enough time you’ll be picking winners every time, making you the pride of your family and joy of your town.

Wine and food when paired correctly is a match made in heaven. But don’t get too wrapped up in the technicality of it all, just have fun with it. Keep in mind the weight, texture and flavours including sweetness and acidity of the food and find a wine with characteristics that matches them or in some cases you could also try contrasting them.

Experiment, you’ll get it in no time. In fact, because there are just so many styles of wine you could find a style of wine for pretty much any kind of food out there.

Ever tried a Vada Pao with that deadly red masala with a Chardonnay aged in American oak? No ? Well neither have I but it could be fun to try!

Indian wine can offer more value than an imported counter part but all in all it’s still relatively expensive to drink wine in India. It’s expensive because the duties on wine are very high, some of the highest in the world. Expensive because of high margins applied by hotels and restaurants and ridiculous demands from retail outlets. Also sometimes because importers and producers think they can charge a higher value and get away with it. Last but not least the truestest reason for high prices is because there is more demand than the producers and importers of wine in India can supply……..well not really but even Sommeliers have dreams !

Nikhil Agarwal- Sommelier and Director at All Things Nice – www.allthingnice.in

The platform for knowledge, networking and indulgent experiences for wine, luxury spirits and gourmet food aficionados. www.allthingsnice.in