Grower Champagne makes elegant Indian debut

Domaine du Chalet recently played host to a refined and meaningful celebration as Cellar 33, in collaboration with Sonarys, presented an exclusive pre-launch dinner heralding the arrival of eight grower Champagne houses into the Indian market. This elegant affair marked the beginning of a significant new chapter for artisanal Champagne in India, where demand for authenticity and craftsmanship in wine is on the rise.

The event was a collaborative celebration of quality and culture, highlighting the partnership between Cellar 33, a Bordeaux-based export and marketing agency founded by Amrita Singh DipWSET and Mattia Antonio Cianca DipWSET, and Sonarys, India’s leading importer of Champagne, wine and spirits. Cellar 33, with its dedicated focus on the Indian market, offers end-to-end branding, marketing, and export support to producers while building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with local importers.

The dinner was expertly curated by Celebrity Chef Nikhil Nagpal of Avartana at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai—ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. His innovative menu brought together the complexity of Southern Indian flavours with the nuanced expressions of each Champagne. The evening stood as a testament to the synergy between time-honoured Champagne traditions and modern South Indian gastronomy.

For Amrita, India represents origin and vision, while for Mattia, it signifies inspiration and opportunity. India’s evolving wine landscape is not just about consumption; it’s about education, authenticity, and discovery. Our goal is to create enduring partnerships, not just transactions.

India presents a unique challenge as a wine market—young, highly regulated, and diverse—but it also offers immense promise. The country’s growing community of sommeliers, hospitality professionals, and consumers is increasingly drawn to values that lie at the heart of grower Champagne: provenance, passion, and craftsmanship.

“This dinner was not just about showcasing incredible Champagne,” said Amrita Singh, Co-founder of Cellar 33. “It was about starting a meaningful dialogue between independent Champagne producers and the Indian market. We are laying the foundation for a deep-rooted, lasting connection.”

Mattia Antonio Cianca added, “Introducing these eight producers is a momentous occasion. Each of these houses represents the essence of their terroir, and we are thrilled to play a role in bringing their passion and artistry to a new audience.”

Guests at the event included producers, key trade leaders, and select members of the French and international press. The evening underscored the shared vision and dedication of all stakeholders involved in bringing high-quality Champagne to India.

Sanjay Menon, Founder and CEO of Sonarys, summed up the occasion: “It was a seminal discovery… First, the magic of artisanal Champagne producers, who produce tiny quantities of the best liquid of the region, restoring the quality image of the region of yore…And of the discovery of the perfect suitability of these artisanal Champagne’s as the ideal pairing with the complexity and spice of the ‘Nouvelle’ cuisine of the South of India, championed by ITC Hotels restaurant, Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants of the Year Awardee, ‘Avartana.’”

The eight participating Champagne houses, each with its own unique regional signature, included:

·      Champagne Gounel-Lassalle – Chigny-les-Roses (Montagne de Reims)

·      Champagne Lafalise-Froissart – Verzenay & Verzy (Montagne de Reims)

·      Champagne François Secondé – Sillery (Montagne de Reims)

·      Champagne R. Faivre – Belval-sous-Châtillon (Vallée de la Marne)

·      Champagne Gaston Révolte – Avenay-Val-d'Or (Vallée de la Marne)

·      Champagne André Robert – Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (Côte des Blancs)

·      Champagne Daniel Leclerc et Fils – Polisot (Côte des Bar)

·      Champagne Lacroix-Triaulaire – Merrey-sur-Arce (Côte des Bar)

As Cellar 33 and Sonarys continue to lay the foundation for a strong presence in India, this milestone dinner symbolised more than just a market entry; it was a celebration of shared vision, exceptional taste, and the promise of enduring collaboration.