Grover Zampa Vineyards, one of India’s leading fine wine producers, has introduced a brand-new wine range, Signet, and its five varietals of red. Signet (bottled at 14% ABV) is the country’s first wine range to be aged in foudres, amphoras and concrete tanks, and is one of the most premium wines available in the market currently.

Timing the launch to coincide with the festive season, the glitzy event was held at the marquee Ritz-Carlton, Bengaluru, and was jointly conducted with All Things Nice (ATN), a leading wine, spirits and luxury marketing agency.

The well-curated event was preceded by a masterclass, followed by a wine-tasting evening of the wines that included La Réserve Syrah Grenache, La Réserve Fume Blanc, La Réserve Chardonnay, La Réserve Pinot Noir, Art Collection Riesling, Art Collection Late Harvest and Chene Grand Reserve.

The session was attended by HNIs, corporates and wine connoisseurs and collectors of the city.

Made from hand-picked grapes, the range epitomises the dedication that has gone into making wines that clearly express their terroir. Sparingly made, hand-crafted, and overseen by master winemakers, Signet reveals the most delicate aromas of hand-picked, single-vineyard, estate-bottled Shiraz and their variations with different ageing techniques.

All wines are unfiltered to retain their natural mouth feel and represent the five maturation processes used to create the range, which are expressions of their finest craftsmanship.

Signet Spectrum

This dry red wine is a blend of Shiraz, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet, Franc and Muscat, with a deep cherry red colour. It is fermented and aged for 12 months in concrete egg-shaped tanks. The aroma is concentrated, dense in fruity fragrance with nascent expression of figs and bergamot.

A powerful mouth feel comes alive with liquorice and almond notes which, on ageing, evolve into a delectable note of dusted leather and venison. The porous structure of concrete allows micro-oxygenation to help soften the tannins.

Signet Shiraz (Amphora)

Fermented and aged for 12 months in amphorae, this red wine runs a deep garnet red. The porous structure of terracotta clay allows micro-oxygenation to soften the tannins, which give a deep and rich structure, without additional flavours. This wine offers exceptional intensity and a notable freshness that is accentuated by well-balanced roundness, velvet tannins and a rare, long finish on the palate.

Signet Shiraz (Foudre)

A well-balanced wine with soft tannins and medium body, slightly oaky finish with a sublime ending palate. Fermented for 12 months in 2,000-litre French oak foudre, this wine emits the strong varietal characteristics of a Shiraz – blackberry, black cherry, pepper and tobacco.

The Signet Shiraz (1-litre foudre) has a strong structure with powerful tannins and beautiful hints of French oak notes of cinnamon and vanilla. It leaves hints of fruit and beautiful resinous pepper on the finish.

Fermented for 12 months in 1000-litre French oak foudre, this wine produces an intense aroma of oak and with ripe red fruits.

Signet Shiraz (French Barriques)

Matured in 225-litre French oak barrels for 24 months and 12 months in the bottle, this dry red delivers rich aromas of red berry, prune, vanilla and tobacco. There are hints of violet that mingle elegantly, giving a leathery character and a deep level of complexity.

A reflection of the passion that Grover holds for wine making, these wines are elegantly packed in a mono carton and are wax-sealed. The Signet range is exclusively sold from cellar doors in Grover Zampa’s, Vineyard in Bengaluru. Each wine is priced at Rs 4,000 (750-ml bottle).