Bouvet-Ladubay launched at French Embassy and more
 | Friday the 16th of November, ’07 saw the launch of the Bouvet-Ladubay bouquet of wines from the Loire valley in Delhi. The event was hosted by the suave French Ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont at his residence. Guests included diplomats, the city’s socialites, wine aficionados, and representatives of the hospitality and wine industry. |
Five wines were presented including Bouvet Trésor Blanc, an elegant sparkling white made dominantly from the Chenin grape, enhanced by the aromas of new oak and well balanced tannins. The Bouvet Rubis Demi-Sec was unusual and the consensus among the members the hospitality trade present was that it would pair well with north Indian food. The Coteaux du Layon (AOC) was an exceptional sweet wine that would go well with desserts or could even be substituted for the dessert course.
| The Ambassador spoke nostalgically about his younger days in the Loire and welcomed the introduction of Loire Valley wines into India. Patrice Monmousseau, the President and CEO of the company gave an introduction to his wines and provided an insight into the history of the company. He said that he was very happy that Bouvet-Ladubay was now an Indian owned company. Pictured to the right is Juliette Monmousseau flanked by Dhruv Sawhney who sits on the Sommelier India Advisory Council. |  |
The lawns of the residence were beautifully decorated and the total ambience of the evening which included a recital by Sarangi maestro, Kamal Sabri was most conducive to drinking this collection of exceptional wines
 | The following evening, Bouvet-Ladubay, in association with Sommelier India, put together a dinner for members of The Wine Society, the Delhi Wine Club and some select guests at Intercontinental, The Grand. Close to 90 people enjoyed this exposition of fine sparkling and still wines from the Loire Valley paired with a four-course continental meal. |
Monmousseau and his daughter, Juliette, are in India to promote the wines which are being launched across the country. Bottled in origin as well as imported in bulk to be bottled here, the 750 ml bottles of wines retail at prices ranging between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500.
A Correspondent
Comments
I read your post about the recently concluded Bouvet Ladubay evening at the Intercontinental Grand hotel, and coincidently heard about it too from a friend who attended it. While from all accounts it seems to have been a pleasant evening, I must admit I was a bit surprised to hear that members of the two wine clubs were asked to pay different amounts for the same dinner. Is it true that members of the Delhi Wine Club had to pay Rs.1000 as against the other guests who only paid Rs.700? Why the difference?
The Bouvet-Ladubay dinner was hosted by the UB Group and the Intercontinental, The Grand, in association with Sommelier India for members of The Wine Society and the Delhi Wine Club. We were there purely to lend our name, give moral (and logistical) support and encourage wine lovers to attend the event. We did not stand to gain financially. The subsidised cost of the evening, conveyed by email and printed on the invitation cards, was Rs 700 for everyone. Mr Ghulam Naqshband, president of The Wine Society, other members, and myself, as publisher of SI, paid the same.
I am sorry that Delhi Wine Club members were expected to pay more. I was surprised (and dismayed) when I discovered someone else was collecting money at the venue besides ourselves and heard about the discrepancy. We did not know about it. You can be sure, if Sommelier India is involved, it won't happen again.
Reva K Singh
Publisher & Editor