WSCI explores sparkling wines from Champagne to Sekt

The Wines & Spirits Circle – India (WSCI) recently conducted another engaging masterclass themed ‘Sparkling Wines of the World’. Attendees learnt about the various methods employed in the production of sparkling wines from around the globe while sampling different types of these effervescent beverages, popularly known as ‘bubbles’.

The exclusive masterclass, filled to capacity, attracted a good mix of beginners and experienced oenophiles, all united by a desire to gain knowledge in the company of like-minded peers.

The session featured a tasting of six different sparkling wines, including Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, Sekt from Germany, a red sparkling from Australia, and Champagne from France. Attendees were introduced to the meticulous Traditional Method, used to produce Champagne and the Tank Method, used for Prosecco. A particularly interesting highlight was the tasting of a Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat) from France, made using the Ancestral Method, which dates back centuries.

V.P. Rajesh, an alumnus of BITS Pilani and Ross School of Business, Michigan Ann Arbor, and founder of asset management firm Banyan Capital Advisors, attended the event with his wife, Girija. He remarked, “It was a splendid evening that opened my taste buds to delicious sparkling wines of different provenance. The guest speaker was amazing and I learnt a lot. I just fell in love with the German Sekt, which I had never tasted before!”

Though attendees were promised six wines, they were pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of two additional ones. A sparkling wine from Hungary, made using the Traditional Method (the same as Champagne), was particularly well received with many feeling it deserves far greater recognition for its quality and flavour.

Another surprise was a set of three flavoured rice wines, created by a group of millennials in Mumbai. Targeted at fellow millennials and Gen Z consumers, their first batch was released in Mumbai in early June under the brand name ‘Offscript’, each containing 8 percent alcohol. The most popular flavour among attendees was Mango Peach, followed by Guava Chilli, with Green Apple coming in third.

Viren Malhotra, a mechanical engineer and IIM Calcutta graduate who works as a Management Consultant, travelled two hours on a Friday evening from Gurugram to the elegant venue in Delhi’s New Friends Colony. He found the session ‘informative and insightful’. “I wasn’t aware of sparkling wines beyond Champagne and Prosecco and had only vaguely heard of Crémant. I had never sampled Cava or Sekt before. It was a great opportunity to taste a variety of sparkling wines that are otherwise not easily available. I’m looking forward to attending the next one by the Master,” he shared.

A consistent highlight of WSCI sessions is the inclusion of an international and qualified wine & spirits professional as a guest speaker. This time, it was Evan Gill, the Estate Sommelier at Idée Fixe, a winery that produces Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines using the Traditional Method. Evan, a holder of the WSET Diploma (Level 4), joined the session online at 10 pm local time from Margaret River, one of Australia’s iconic wine regions, to share his expertise on sparkling wines. He described the experience as exhilarating and promised a visit to India soon.

The event was hosted at the elegant and eco-conscious residence of Namita and Siddhartth Jain. Siddhartth, who runs a luxury concierge service for the ultra-rich, has been hugely instrumental in designing the house with sustainability in mind. Despite its floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowing abundant natural light, the residence is self-sufficient with solar power and even contributes to the electricity grid. The hosts were gracious, and in addition to the classy glassware, they served hors d’œuvres that could rival those of any five-star hotel.

Although most of the wines sampled are available in India, they were purchased overseas. Thanks to careful storage, they retained their freshness, aroma, and palate.

WSCI, a private special interest group, is the brainchild of Naveen Gupta, a Singapore-based wealth management banker turned management consultant and wine & spirits evangelist. It caters to an exclusive circle that seeks to deepen its understanding of wines and spirits in a refined social setting.

The next session of WSCI is expected to focus on whiskies – so stay tuned!