Raise A Toast

Crafted in India, J’NOON, the country’s first luxury wine, makes waves in France, Canada and America

- Deepali Nandwani

Junoon, an Urdu word for obsession or passion, is rightfully the inspiration behind the country’s new wine collection, which marks India’s entry into the global luxury wine market. A collaboration between the very Indian Fratelli Wines and the very global Boisset Collection, operating 26 wineries across geographies, took this superlative offering to Canada and France after its launch in Napa, USA, last month.

The limited edition of 2,400 bottles of each of the three wines, sparkling JCB No. 47 (honouring India’s year of Independence), J’NOON White, and J’NOON Red, were launched at high-profile events in India two months ago. BlackBook caught up with the two oenophiles and winegrowers Jean-Charles Boisset, 49, and Kapil Sekhri, 42, to know more about their exciting collaboration.

“We have created wines that are great with spicy food,” says the President and scion of the Boisset Collection. “My background is Chenin Blanc, but Fratelli Wines had lovely Chardonnay in barrels, so I thought, forget the Chenin and let us do a Sauvignon Blanc.” The Chardonnay was matured for 24 months and the Sauvignon Blanc blended to 40 per cent, to control its acidity levels. Thus were created rich, ultra-premium wines, which the world will take note of, claims Boisset. These will be exclusively sold in a limited number of stores, fine dine restaurants, and luxury hotels in India and abroad. “We hope that the world’s best wine collectors will be interested in these,” says Boisset.