Tastin’ France returned to India this November for its eighth edition, presenting an impressive range of French wines through consecutive engagements in Delhi and Mumbai. This year’s event featured a mix of returning and new exhibitors, who showcased their exceptional wines to key figures in India’s wine industry.
Now a staple on the annual wine calendar, Tastin’France is organized by Business France in collaboration with the French Ministry of Agriculture and the Embassy of France in India. The New Delhi leg took place at the Embassy of France, while the Mumbai edition was hosted at ProWine Mumbai, which has become the event’s venue since the international wine fair launched its Indian chapter.
This year 17 marquee producers from renowned wine regions like Bordeaux, Champagne, Bourgogne, and the Rhône Valley showcased over 100 wines, offering a sensory exploration of French terroir and its celebrated viticultural traditions.
” The 2024 edition of Tastin’ France India has been very successful as we were able to showcase fine wines and spirits from the most emblematic regions in France. We have once again had a great response from the trade and connoisseurs alike..
We would like to propel this journey further, by understanding the unique preferences of the Indian consumers, as well as the evolving trends in the market, with the ultimate aim of creating lasting relationships and fostering growth.”
Vianney MEYNIER, HoD Agrotech (India & South Asia), Business France
A Journey Across French Wine Regions
The exhibitors represented a diverse spectrum of France’s winemaking heritage. Here’s a look at some notable producers and some of their wines that appealed the most to me.
Burgundy
Collection Tramier
Collection Tramier is an 1842-established family domain and wine trading company that produces and markets a large range of Burgundy wines as well as entry-level Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Laurent Dufouleur was at hand, hosting the tasting of their wines.
Mercurey 1er Cru ‘Les Champs Martin’ 2022
This Premier Cru Pinot Noir reveals a bouquet of ripe cherries, an earthy forest floor, and subtle spice. The silky tannins and vibrant acidity give way to a refined, lingering finish, embodying the elegance of Mercurey.
Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru ‘Aux Vignerondes’ 2020
Another Burgundian Premier Cru, this one is a powerful yet balanced red, brimming with aromas of blackcurrant, violets, and savory herbs. The structure is firm yet polished, with a depth of flavor that promises to evolve beautifully with age.
Roncier Spritz à L’Orange
I also liked their refreshing sparkler called Roncier Spritz- a fun and easygoing aperitif style drink with an orange flavour. In my opinion, it may get famously received in a tropical country like India.
Rhône Valley
Domaine André Brunel
The Brunel family has been rooted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for generations, and their wines express the unique terroirs of this iconic region. Fabrice Brunel eighth-generation owner, was at the helm at this tasting.
Cuvée Est-Ouest, AOP Côtes du Rhône
Cuvée Est Ouest is named so, to reflect the geographical diversity of the vineyards used to produce the wine. Meaning “East-West” in French, the wine highlights the blend of grapes sourced from vineyards located both to the east and west of the Rhône River.
A vibrant blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, this wine bursts with red cherry, raspberry, and a touch of wild thyme on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and lively, featuring juicy red fruit flavors. The soft, approachable tannins make it an excellent choice for everyday enjoyment.
Bordeaux
Tutiac
One of France’s largest AOP wine producers, Tutiac’s cooperative excellence shines in their range of high-quality Bordeaux wines. Anne Cogny– Winemaker and Export Sales Director passionately highlighted their wines at the tasting.
Tutiac Merlot 2022, AOP Bordeaux
A lush Merlot bursting with flavors of ripe red berries, soft plum, and hints of vanilla. The tannins are smooth and supple, making this wine easy to drink and versatile with food.
Origines Six Chemins 2022 (Cabernet Sauvignon), AOP Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon offering notes of black currant, cedar, and a touch of graphite. The wine has a robust structure with chewy tannins and a lingering finish, perfect for cellaring or pairing with rich meats.
Château La France
Represented at the tasting under the umbrella of its parent company BWINE, Chateau La France along with its peer Chateau de Seguin are the biggest two estates in the AOC Bordeaux Supérieur.
These estates also claim to offer a great quality/price proposition.
Château La France Full Moon Reserve 2021, AOC Bordeaux Supérieur
This premium Bordeaux blend, predominantly composed of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, showcases an inky, deep purple hue. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate, and subtle spice. The palate is full-bodied and velvety, with flavors of ripe dark fruits and toasted vanilla. The wine is perfect for pairing with grilled meats, or aged cheeses, and has a good cellaring potential.
Let me know if you’d like any additional descriptions or pairing suggestions!
La Fleur de Boüard
Château La Fleur de Boüard is an estate nestled in the heart of the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation, close to the emblematic Château Pétrus. They are represented in India by Bifrost Global Ventures, a consulting company connecting international retail and consumer businesses in India.
Château La Fleur de Boüard 2018, AOC Lalande de Pomerol
A Merlot-centric wine with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc being the other constituents, this wine expresses hints of dark cherry, espresso, and subtle herbs. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and a long, complex finish.
Languedoc
Vignobles Vellas
Renowned for their innovation and marketing expertise, Vignobles Vellas consistently crafts wines with a creative edge. Their eye-catching labels exude a magnetic charm that instantly captivates. A regular presence at Tastin’ France India, their Export Director, Julia Sarda, has become a familiar face in India’s wine community. Some of their wines have already made their way into the Indian market, with more poised to follow. At this tasting, I had the pleasure of sampling one of their latest offerings.
“The ONE” Corbières Rocbrune
This expressive red wine from the Corbières appellation is dominated by Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. It opens with intense aromas of black fruits and herbs, followed by a complex full-bodied palate having flavours of blackberry, plum, and licorice. A touch of spice gives it an additional highlight to go particularly well with robust Indian cuisine.
Les Producteurs Réunis
Les Producteurs Réunis is a trading company established in 2018, dedicated to curating a wide range of quality yet affordable wines and spirits worldwide. At this event, they had a wide array of wine and spirits including Champagne, other sparkling wines, Gin, Whisky Rum Tequila, etc.
Champagne Adam-Jaeger Brut Réserve
A blend of classic Champagne grape varieties—Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier Champagne Adam Jaeger Brut Réserve poured with an effusive mousse. The nose was enticing, with aromas of tree fruits and toastiness so characteristic of Champagne. On the palate, it had rounded acidity with flavours of ripe stone fruit, honey, and toasted almond. The finish was long and elegant.
Spoilt for choices at Tastin’ France 2024
A humungous wine lineup like this cannot be sampled in its entirety in a short period, though we had a good four hours at hand. However, one can prioritise and go for the ones of particular interest. That’s what I did along with a mental appreciation of the other equally worthy wines that I could not manage to taste. I am listing the remaining producers with their web links and a few more photos in all fairness to them.
May we see many of them delighting Indian wine lovers soon!
Other Producers at the New Delhi leg of Tastin’ France 2024
| Producer/ Company | Website |
|---|---|
| Champagne GH Martel & Co. | www.champagnemartel.com |
| Alma Cercius | www.almacersius.com |
| Château Charmail Bifrost Global Ventures | www.bifrost.global www.clubcharmail.com |
| Les Vignerons Réunis De Monségur | www.cave-de-monsegur.com |
| La Vintage Company | www.lavintagecompany.com |
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