Research Tour – Euro Wine

EuroWine Tour - 2018 Rhone Valley Champagne

( 28TH September - 08th October )

I am Amarkrishna S, final year student of International Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore. I was the winner of Euro wine tour 2018 and represented my campus at France learning and exploring the finest wine making regions, their culture and the process. I would like to share my experience which I consider it as a “Dream come true” which was made possible through my institute, IIHM Bangalore. I will take you through the insight of it. Travelling to France at this very young age is a dream! but what’s more surprising is that my entire 12 days trip to France, was completely borne by my college. SELECTION CRITERIA : - IIHM hotel school believes in students exchange programmes through which students get to improve and built on their skills. Every year our campus provides an opportunity to their food and beverage specialisation students in undertaking wine tour exams (provided candidates have minimum percentage of academics and attendance) Selection process consisted of a 30 marks MCQ on wine knowledge and a 10 marks subjective knowledge followed by a blind tasting of wine carrying 10 marks. Shortlisted candidates had an online skype interview with Mr Keith Edgar (Sommelier) I was accompanied by 7 more students from different IIHM campus along with Mr Kunal Kaul from IIHM Delhi Campus.

Wine tour kickstarted on 28th September to 8th October covering two of the major grape growing regions of France i.e. Rhone valley and Champagne.

IIHM Euro Wine Tour 2018 Rhone Valley and Champagne

Day one was the visit to Travel where you get the finest rose wines from France.it was a tremendous feeling which we experienced the moment we stepped in to the pebbly soil of that

vineyard and straight away tasting those sweet ripened grapes freshly plucked from the plant. The winemaker explained us everything about the terroir and the benefits of having pebbly soils. followed by which we were taken towards the winemaking area and our wine tasting. Our second visit was to the Chateauneuf-du-pape which is a very famous appellation of southern Rhone valley and it is popular for its GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, muvadre). Here was our biggest surprise waiting for the day, we were allowed to harvest the grapes for last batch of vintage 2018 Chateauneuf-du-pape which we consider it as an honour.

Next visit was towards the most beautiful and sweetest vineyard in Rhone valley i.e. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise an appellation which produces the best sweet wines of Rhone valley.it was quite a scenic beauty and we had our first official banner pic of euro wine tour 2108 right here at this beauty spot

We were taken through their manufacturing plots understanding the wine making process, various techniques used, measures undertaken an overall practical understanding of how a grape in bunch turns out into a beautiful wine inside a bottle

Every single day of our Euro wine tour was filled with surprises, new learning, experiencing the new culture, food and lifestyle.

We covered up most of the vineyard in the southern part of Rhone valley and started exploring the northern Rhone valley which is known for its steep hillside vineyards and known for the main grape called Syrah. Personally, am a great fan of Syrah grape which is known for its spiciness and robust flavour, but the wine from Hermitage and Cote du Rhone changed my perception when I tasted Syrah wine being fruity and smooth, this was a huge experience that how can a terroir influence in the characteristics of a wine.

We then started travelling towards Champagne,” worlds best celebration drink”, wine which gets its name by its origin and the unique manufacturing process. the climate was very cold as we entered the city of Champagne and in the course of two days spent in champagne, we visited over 4 champagne houses.

RUINART GH MUMM POMMERY BOURDAIRE GALLOIS

We were briefed about the history of the champagne houses, its unique process and the grapes varieties used in the preparation of champagne .it was a new learning that there were actually 7 grape varieties which can go into the preparation of champagne We were taken for a cellar tour at the POMMERY Champagne house, a huge 18 km long cellar which was quite breath-taking moment, we also witnessed very old vintage bottles from early 1800s in the cellar. And of course, yes finally to taste some best CHAMPAGNE!

In these spans of 12 days we visited more than 15 Domaines and châteaux and tasted over 80 different types of wines. We also experienced the culture and authentic classical French cuisine. This learning and memory from this trip are definitely going to cherish for a life time I thank my institute, IIHM and Dr Bose for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to go ahead and build my interest and knowledge in the filed of wines. The only campus in India to provide such great opportunities to their students. Proud of my IIHM. Join IIHM to live your dream.

LAST YEAR IT WAS ME!! THIS YEAR IT COULD BE YOU.