Wine Masterclass by Bill Hardy

“Masterclass” is a term we often come across in today’s wine world. It essentially denotes a deep dive familiarization with target wines, fringing on technicalities. It is also an often misused term , with innumerable instances of generic wine tastings being passed off  as “masterclasses”. But when a winemaker himself conducts such a class, its raison d’être  surpasses the realm of definitions, as was the case when William (Bill) Hardy- the fifth generation helmsman of Australia’s biggest winemaker Hardys Wines conducted a series of masterclasses in Delhi/Mumbai. Spread over two days, these masterclasses were meant primarily for the hospitality trade and selected wine media. I had the privilege of attending the one in New Delhi  at hotel ITC Maurya in the closing days of Aug 15.

Bill Hardy conducting his Masterclass in New Delhi

(Pic: Sula Selections)

Hardys has been in India since the year 2003 through their importer Sula Selections. Then why this

masterclass now? Bill Hardy told me that given the positive sentiment about India as an emerging wine consuming nation, efforts to “train the trainer” are considered to be in good stead. These efforts are also necessary to  consolidate Australia’s enviable position as the largest wine exporter to India in terms of volume. According to him, the Indian wine market has been showing admirable maturity over the years and it is a must for such an emerging market to have professionals who can present a particular wine to the consumer in the right earnest.

The wines for the masterclass were from Hardys Stamp collection. Bill brought out that this range was inspired by their founder Thomas Hardy’s vision of popularizing Australian wines in the world. He highlighted that the majority of grapes for this collection are from warm, inland river regions, producing wines that are full flavoured, fruit forward and smooth- a character  preferred in everyday drinking wines.

(Pic: Sula Selections)

The Delhi masterclass commenced with Bill familiarizing the audience with Australian wine producing regions and how these could be mapped to entire Europe in terms of vineyard area. He highlighted the typical characteristics of each of these regions, explaining step by step the production philosophy behind each of his presented wines, including their probable Indian food matches. The session progressed with the wines served as under:

(Pic: Sula Selections)

Hardys Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV

Made from two of the Champagne grapes, this wine is a straightforward sparkling with yeasty, citrusy  and tropical fruit aromas. A refreshing spritzy palate makes it a good ‘evening starter’. Bill said that they employ both traditional and charmat methods in their sparkling wine production and this particular wine has been elaborated by using the charmat method, keeping in line with its affordability aspect.

Hardys Riesling Gewürztraminer 2014

A  popular wine in Asia, Bill informed that their Riesling-Gewürztraminer also sells well in Canada and British Columbia presumably due to a large migrant Asian population. The wine, with its honeyed, tropical fruits, and off dry (residual sugar 15 g/l) character is quite well suited to Asian cuisine. It’s lingering finish completes its profile as a gourmet wine. In addition Bill highlighted a subtle petillance (fizz) in the wine which is purposefully crafted to give it an extra refreshing character.The wine was indeed very pleasing and I thought of a shaslik of cottage cheese, pineapple, onion and bell peppers as its ideal food accompaniment.

Hardys Chardonnay Semillon 2014

A deep lemon, light bodied wine with a creamy palate and a discernibly oaky character. Bill educated us that for the Stamp range, they use an innovative and cost effective method of oaking called “plank in tank” wherein oak planks with sawed off edges are dropped into wine tanks for better surface area (six sides as opposed to four) contact. This method enables faster oaking at a relatively lower cost, which is very important for keeping the affordability aspect of the range intact. In addition, this wine is oxygenated using medical grade oxygen to impart oxidative complexity. The result is a fairly complex wine affordable as a regular indulgence.

Hardys Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot 2014

Bill Hardy is the first Aussie winemaker to be trained in Bordeaux, that too under the famous French oenologist Émile Peynaud. His affinity to the “Bordeaux style” can be noted in this essentially Bordeaux blend with good structure as well as an intense but restrained fruity character. Bill informed that this wine is also oaked “plank in tank” for 3 months in Burgundian oak that has loose grains that promote faster ageing.

Hardys Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Shiraz- Cabernet Sauvignon blend is by far the most popular red wine blend in Asia Pacific region owing to its affinity to spicy cuisine. Aussie Shiraz  is  well known for its ripe and full bodied flavours. Bill explained that in this blend, around 30% Cabernet Sauvignon is added to  the remaining 70 % Shiraz in to balance out the voluptuousness of the wine. The result is a savoury wine well suited to rich Asian cuisine.

The masterclass concluded with young interns as well as seasoned professionals satisfying their queries from an immensely approachable Bill.

After all you don’t  come across Masters so often! Do you?

One for posterity: Bill Hardy with the Masterclass attendees  (Pic: Sula Selections)

This post has also been published by Spiritz Magazine in their Sep 15 issue

'Pigeon's' wine flight

Odds are high that a cricket lover in India will not be aware of a wine brand, but flip this and any Indian wine lover will surely know who Glenn McGrath is. The Aussie cricketer has a universal charm and is idolized by zillions of fans in  cricketing nations . But what does an iconic cricketer have to do with a wine brand? Same as Sachin Tendulkar  with a Cola or  Virat Kohli with an Anti Dandruff Shampoo. Being celebrity consumers, they instil a certain confidence amongst  the general consumer about quality of the product that they endorse.

Hardys, the Aussie wine giant, have appointed McGrath as their Brand Ambassador and dedicated a special label to him called "Hardys Art of Cricket" . The label carries  'Pigeon's' (McGrath's popular nick name)  photo and signature,with an obvious intent of  catching the wine  fancy of the Indian cricketing  buff.

Hardys Art of Cricket Collection with McGrath's photo and signature

I had the privilege of being invited to a special event called "Hardys fine Australian wine and True Aussie Lamb"  hosted by the Australian High Commissioner in India, H.E. Patrick Suckling at his residence in New Delhi this May. The highlight of the evening was  McGrath's towering persona- staturewise as well as literally (at 6 ft 4 in tall).  The icon mixed freely with wine lovers patiently addressing all their cricket and wine queries. The wines for the evening though, were Hardys already  available "Stamp Collection"  as the "Art of Cricket" collection will hit the Indian market only by August this year as intimated by Sula Selections- Hardys' importers in India.

Glenn McGrath with Ann-Marie Battista presenting an autographed English willow to H.E. Patrick Suckling
Pic: Australian High Commission, New Delhi

Hardys is a well recognized wine brand synonymous with 'value for money' wines. It all started in  1857, when Thomas Hardy bottled his first vintage and became one of the first exporters of Australian wines. In India, their wines have been available since 2003. In Asia, Japan is the largest market for Hardys wines with India ranking an impressive eighth – very encouraging for a country with per capita consumption of just a few milliliters of wine.

Random glimpses of Hardys "Art of Cricket" launch function in New Delhi

The evening at New Delhi started with rounds of Hardy's Pinot Noir Chardonnay followed by other variants of the Stamp Collection. To accompany the wines, there was a delightful dégustation menu put together by Chef Justin Zammit of Epicure (Brisbane) where  Aussie lamb in different preparations was the highlight. Pairings were as under:

(prices of wines are indicated ex Delhi/ Mumbai):

Hardys Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling (₹ 1320/1755) 

A balanced and fruity sparkling wine. 

Served with corn fed chicken liver terrine with raisin chutney and rosemary brioche.

Hardys Riesling-Gewurztraminer (₹ 960/1390)

An aromatic wine with abundance of tropical fruits and an off-dry inclination. 

Served with homemade duck prosciutto, honey black pepper glaze, rye bread crouton.

Hardys Chardonnay-Semillon (₹ 1060/1390) 

A light and refreshing wine with stone fruit flavours. 

Served with poached green asparagus, extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried heirloom tomatoes and herbal buffalo mozzarella (served warm in petit jars).

Hardys Cabernet-Merlot (₹ 820/1390)

An expressive wine, showing red berries and oak aromas accompanied by a fruity palate.

Served with charred yoghurt marinated Australian lamb, salad of baby cos and pomegranate, toum and za atar flat bread; Spring Australian lamb confit, potato mousseline and jus; Roasted Australian lamb loin, butternut pumpkin,smoked eggplant and semolina fondant.

Hardys Shiraz-Cabernet (₹ 1080/1390)

A robust wine with aromas of blackberries, dark cherries and spice with a complementing palate and an oaky finish. 

Served with salt water Australian lamb, smoked carrot shavings and crisp ancient grains; Slow poached Australian lamb loin, coconut green curry.

Ann-Marie Battista, Hardys representative, told me that the brand is steeped in tradition and has won more than 9000 international wine awards. Hardys is largely recognised for being approachable, consistent, fun and dependable. Cricket mirrors these exact sentiments – technique, consistency, knowledge and years of hard work and perseverance. Hardys are honoured to introduce Glenn as their Brand Ambassador to India. "We believe our partnership with Glenn is perfect to raise Hardys brand awareness with wine consumers and become the Australian brand of choice in India", added Ann-Marie.

"Both cricket and wine are pursuits of passion and it is my pleasure to bring these two together", McGrath said. He claims that he lives to eat and does not eat to live. This association with Hardys will give him more chances to visit India, a country that he thinks of as his second home. In lighter vein, he also said that as a Brand Ambassador, he finds more acceptability amongst Indians since he is no longer bowling to Sachin Tendulkar!

McGrath was candid enough in sharing that he is not a wine expert but someone who is interested in good wines. Before his new role as Hardys brand ambassador, he spent time at the Hardys facility in Adelaide, understanding the intricacies of winemaking in order to be conversant with the winemaking philosophy of the brand.

The 'pigeon' looks set to fly the long haul.

P.S. I did manage to get an autograph as well!

This article is an adaptation from my original piece in  vino india