First time in India, a rising star from the Southern Rhône

Nicole Sierra-Rolet, prinicipal of Chêne Bleu Wine was on a whistle-stop visit to India recently. During her short trip she packed in meetings with hoteliers and members of the trade in Mumbai and Delhi as well as hosting an exclusive Wine Tasting at Enoteca, The Oberoi, New Delhi followed by Dinner.
Pictured: Chêne Bleu Wine Dinner at Travertino

Chêne Bleu is a multi award-winning, critically-acclaimed new wine from the Southern Rhône, described by critics as a "rising star" poised to "achieve 'cult' wine status". The wines (two Grenache and Syrah-based reds, Abelard and Heloise, a Burgundian style white, Aliot, and a Viognier, as well as a complex Rosé) come from a family-operated single-estate boutique winery located in the Dentelles de Montmirail near Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The small batches of hand-picked, limited edition wines (only 100 to 600 cases or each for a total of 20,000 to 25,000 bottles) are considered über-niche, smart luxury for insiders. The wines are currently listed with prestigious independent wine merchants and restaurants in Europe, the US and Asia. Pictured right: Chêne Bleu rosé, an exceptional wine that paired well with tandoori prawns

Nicole and Xavier Rolet acquired the derelict property a decade ago and painstakingly restored the vineyard and the 9th century priory to the highest international standards. Nicole is chief 'plate spinner' at Chêne Bleu, managing most of the responsibilities beyond viticulture and winemaking, and makes the link between Chêne Bleu and the outside world, travelling to exchange ideas and enjoy the wines with others who share her passion.

Multilingual and multicultural (US, France, Italy, South America), she enjoys scouting for the best ideas from everywhere and weaving them in with those of the team. She started her career in publications, banking and think-tanks in the USA, then got well and truly bitten by the wine bug and trained at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and UC Davis.