Whether
you love sparkling red wines for your special
celebrations, or you’re more attuned to classic red
wines, with this in-depth article about our red wines,
we’re sure you’ll find the perfect match for every
occasion!
But before we jump into Sula’s exciting collection of
red wines, let’s first understand what goes into making
it such a unique and special alcoholic beverage.
What is Red Wine?
Simply put, red wine is the delicious elixir made by
fermenting dark-skinned grape juice. In the process of
making red wines, the winemakers mix something called
‘must’ (pressed grape juice) with dark-grape skins and
then macerate and ferment this mixture. This unique
winemaking process infuses the wine with flavour,
tannins and gives it a red hue.
At Sula, we've perfected the winemaking process to
produce some of the best wines in India, including
award-winning red wines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon! We're proud of having crafted a
range of wines, par excellence through a long-drawn
process of trial-and-error, experimenting, and using the
latest technology.
What are the benefits of red wine?
Most red wines are packed with tannins that have tons of
health benefits. And it’s not just us saying this!
This study
found that a polyphenol compound called
resveratrol was likely responsible for increasing
longevity. While the compound is found in many foods,
its highest concentration is found in red wines.
Additionally, experts
believe that moderate red wine
consumption can lower the risk of heart disease and
boost good cholesterol in the body!
More reasons to say ‘yes’ to another glass of wine,
right?
The Red Wines of Sula
Now that we’ve addressed how red wine is not only a delicious beverage to sip on but also a treasure trove of health benefits let's take a look at Sula's red wines and how you can best enjoy them.
RĀSĀ CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the Rasa Cabernet
Sauvignon by Sula is considered one of India's
best red wines.
Made from caringly hand-harvested grapes, this
incredibly full-bodied red wine is matured in French oak
barrels for anywhere between 14 to 16 months before
being matured in the bottle before release. This
delicate ageing process allows it to develop its deep,
rich black-fruit flavours, reminiscent of blackcurrants
and blackberries.
Although it has a high alcohol content, Rasa
Cabernet Sauvignon by Sula has a velvety smooth finish,
elegant balance and complexity of flavours that make it
a versatile choice when it comes to red wines.
For best results, pair this wine with Indian[SK1]
delicacies like Seekh kebabs, Kadai Paneer, Roghan
Gosht, and food with sharp flavours like goat's cheese
and foods with an earthy, umami flavour like mushrooms.
RĀSĀ SYRAH
The Syrah grape originated in France, but thanks to its
adaptable and resilient nature, it thrives even in our
vineyards in Nashik. This grape varietal is unanimously
considered one of the most versatile and noble dark
grape varietals and is famed for producing dark-hues,
intense, and full-bodied wines.
Sula’s Rasa Syrah is one of India’s best red wines and
is made from a signature blend of 95% Syrah and 5%
Viognier grapes. These carefully selected grapes from
our vineyards are matured in French oak barrels for 12
to 14 months. This unique blend of grapes and our
maturation process gives this red wine a well-rounded
flavour and develops tasting notes reminiscent of red
and dark berries, mocha, vanilla hints, and spices.
Sula’s Rasa Syrah pairs best with red curries,
tandoori preparations like paneer or chicken tikka, and
complex, slow-cooked dishes like Nalli Nihari. Since
it’s low on sweetness, it also goes wonderfully with
strong cheeses, spicy meats, and peppery dishes.
RĀSĀ ZINFANDEL
Although Sula’s Rasa Zinfandel has a low sweetness
level, it has a distinctly fruity quality with flavours
of plum, blueberry, raspberry, and cinnamon. This wine
is also lighter in colour as compared to other red wines
like Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon and offers a characteristic
complexity, as well as a long finish.
Made from 100 % Zinfandel grapes, this wine has received
rave reviews online, with this user
claiming that Sula's Rasa Zinfandel would eclipse many
European Zinfandels in a blind tasting! Our Zinfandel's
uniquely fruity and balanced taste develops over the
four months that it is aged in American oak barrels.
Ideally, Zinfandels are paired with meats,
especially slow-roasted, heavy dishes like stews, kebabs
and meatballs. Sula’s Rasa Zinfandel also pair
excellently with decadent burgers, grilled sausages,
ribs, lamb chops, and pork preparations. Of course, rich
Indian dishes like Paneer Makhani and Koftas, as well as
indulgent pasta like Bolognese, work well too!
THE SOURCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This memorably complex red wine is made from 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to bring you a well-balanced
wine-drinking experience. The
Source Cabernet Sauvignon is distinct, owing to
the fact that it is partially aged in premium French oak
barrels.
This red wine invites you in with seductive aromas of
blackberry and cherry, followed by exquisite notes of
fruity plum and rich chocolate. Undoubtedly, this
Cabernet Sauvignon is well-balanced, has a long finish,
and boasts a refreshing acidity. According to this user
review
, The Source Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect for novices
looking to develop a taste for red wine, and its
distinct flavour makes it difficult to stop at just one
glass!
This red wine pairs excellently with Laal Maas, Szechuan
Chilli Chicken, Lasagna, and Kadai Paneer. Additionally,
with its well-balanced profile, this wine goes well with
almost all kinds of red meat and can be a good option
for cooking sauces or reductions.
DINDORI RESERVE SHIRAZ
Grown on the rolling hills of our Dindori estate, Sula’s
Dindori
Reserve Shiraz is made from a signature blend of
85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietals.
This unique grape blend, aged 10 to 12 months in
American oak barrels, allows a powerful and intense wine
to shine through. The end result is a sensational red
wine with smoky aromas, notes of vanilla, cherry, and
red fruit, with hints of spices.
Enjoy this memorable red wine, slightly chilled, with
meat dishes like kebabs, grilled chicken, mutton or
chicken biryani, and lamb roast. It also pairs well with
pizza, as well as sharp, aged cheeses like Gouda.
SULA SHIRAZ CABERNET
The best way to describe Sula’s
Shiraz Cabernet would be ‘silky and earthy’,
which is probably why this is one of our most
food-friendly wines! Also, fame for being India’s
highest-selling wine, our Shiraz Cabernet is made from a
blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes,
which gives the wine a deep red-purple hue.
Smooth and medium-bodied, each sip is accentuated by
notes of ripe cherry and luscious plum, with pepper and
mocha notes, aromas of spice, rounded off with soft,
silky tannins. Best with slightly chilled, this wine
pairs excellently with most Indian dishes, as well as
sharp cheeses.
This
review attests to how the wine shines through
even with extremely spicy dishes, enhancing your
culinary experience.
SULA ZINFANDEL
When you taste the first sip of Sula Zinfandel, it offers you an enjoyably explosive fruitiness, followed by a hint of spice and a smoky finish. This intensely playful red wine is made from 100% Zinfandel grapes, which gives us a luscious, almost jammy end product, with aromas of blackberry and flavours of plum and cinnamon. In addition, only 15% of the wine blend is aged in American oak barrels, which adds to its majestic complexity. Sula Zinfandel is India's first Zinfandel and has won the silver medal at the 2018 India Wine Awards! Ideally served with light dishes and soft cheeses, this Zinfandel tastes best when served slightly chilled. This user found that Sula Zinfandel pairs well with Indian food since it doesn't compete with the natural spice level of the food, instead enhances it.
Storing And Serving Red Wine
When it comes to bringing out the best in red wines,
temperature plays a huge role. The reason for this is
that wine's characteristics change ever so slightly with
each degree. As red wine gets warmer, it pushes the
wine's fruitiness, aromas, and vibrance to the back and
brings forth its alcohol content. So, in most cases, its
best to serve red wine slightly chilled.
Remember to always store your wine bottles horizontally,
away from humidity and direct light. These will ensure
that your wine stays fresh and retains all its best
qualities and flavours for longer. However, if you open
a bottle of wine, make sure you finish it within 3 to 5
days.
Coming to the topic of serving red wine, let's say that
wine glasses are called that for a reason. A big part of
the wine drinking experience lies with aromas, which are
optimally released in the unique shape of wine glasses.
This is also why we swirl and sniff our wine before
sipping.
Another important point to remember is not to overfill
your wine glasses. Although you may be tempted to pour
one up to the brim because of how delicious the wine is,
refrain from doing so as it can negatively impact the
flavour.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this in-depth guide to red wines has been
illuminating and that you're closer to finding your
favourite red wines now than you were at the beginning
of this article. At Sula, we work hard to employ
environment-friendly and sustainable practices in
everything we do, which is why it brings us great joy to
see you enjoy the fruits of our labour!
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