The man who is known to have created a spot for Indian tennis
on the global map is now lending his easy backswing and forearm energy to wines. Vijay Amritraj, pictured left, one of India’s
earliest tennis champions recently launched his own collection of
fine wines in collaboration with Grover Zampa Vineyards in Mumbai. Suneeta Sodhi Kanga was at the launch and gives us the lowdown…
Grover Zampa Vineyards, the reputed fine wines producer from India, recently launched the Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection of white and red wines. The launch was announced by Sumedh Singh Mandla, CEO, Grover Zampa Vineyards and Vijay Amritraj at an exclusive wine evening at The Leela Mumbai.
Vijay, in his opening remarks, acknowledged his unabashed bias for wine as his preferred drink over other spirits. The talk, which was characterised by Vijay’s familiar charm accompanied by his dry humour, was the perfect springboard for the wines that Grover Zampa Vineyards and Vijay Amritraj jointly collaborated on for over two years.
Was it possible to package smooth tennis strokes, an awesome volley and great rallies in a bottle? It seems so. Every sip epitomises the signature on the bottle. Inspired by Vijay Amritraj’s champion style of play, the Grover Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection wines deliver the promise of the best of Indian wine.
The red is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier and is matured in oak, while the white is a barrel fermented Viognier, both at 13.5% abv. The wines were earlier launched in the UK at Wimbledon. (Read more here), and are being distributed through Cranbrook Wines and Myliko International at London’s fine-dining Indian restaurants.
Delectable hors d’oeuvres at The Leela such as stir fried chicken, sushi and melt-in-your-mouth ham bruschetta were the perfect accompaniment for the newly launched wines of the evening.
Just as Amritraj took a part of India to every Court he ever played on, his Reserve Collection is well poised to remind wine drinkers of India with a taste of the Nandi Hills and Nashik terroir. Vijay Amritraj, came to be part of the triumvirate of the tennis world – ABC – Amritraj, Bjorg and Connors. Let’s hope his Grover Zampa Reserve Collection is appreciated for the unique flavours it brings and notches up a spot amongst the ABC of the Wine World!
The Vijay Amritraj Collection wines are priced at Rs 1,200 and will be distributed in India and key international markets like the UK, USA and Europe.