Does the region or country of origin really matter?

Our research shows that the country or region of origin factors in the wine buyer’s decision making process as the third most important after only the type or colour of wine (red, white, rosé, etc.) and price.  Of course this is a generalisation, but suffice it to say that the region or country of origin really matters to most wine consumers. This is also reflected in the success stories of regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy; the success of Australia, California, South Africa and Chile in recent decades demonstrates that things haven’t changed much!                     

What about terroir?

The word 'terroir' comes from the word 'terre' or 'land'. Originally a French term, it used to denote the special characteristics that geography bestowed upon the vineyards and the grapes. Agricultural sites in the same region share similar soil, weather conditions, and farming techniques, all of which contribute to the unique qualities of the crop. It can be very loosely translated as 'a sense of place' which is embodied in the produce, the sum of the effects that the local environment has had on it.

The best advocates of the concept of terroir, of course, are the French. The New World has led the way towards varietal-based wines, but almost all of them still identify themselves as originating from their respective regions. The debate about terroir is probably not going to end in a hurry. At Soul Tree we believe that the macro-climate, the micro-climate, and even the meso-climate of a region go hand in hand with the soil, the lay of the land, the viticultural practices adopted, and even the passion and dedication of the farmers to ultimately influence the quality and taste of the wine.

So what is it about Soul Tree’s region and terroir that make it different?

Soul Tree is perhaps one of the world’s first few wines coming from the tropics. Nasik Valley is located at 20°N latitude, on a plateau some 2000 ft above sea level and about 100 miles from the west coast of India - it is now widely being seen as having some of the best terroir in Asia. The vineyards are harvested at the end of a dry winter with a high temperature difference between the hot days and cool nights. In fact it is perhaps one of very few regions in the world where the grapes are harvested at the end of winter.

But I have never heard of India as a wine-producing nation. I am sceptical it produces good wines.

India has a wine-drinking tradition that can be traced back to the middle ages. True, it has not been a part of the wine world as we know it for the last 2-3 centuries, but Indian wine has seen a revival over the last 40 years - and this has been rapidly accelerating. Over the last 10 years the domestic Indian wine industry has been growing at over 35% annually!

Besides, the modern Indian wine story started in a day and age where farming and viticultural practices, wine-making equipment and techniques, and even the expertise of some of the world’s best winemakers were no longer constrained by geographical boundaries. Gone are the days when France, Italy or Spain could lay claim to practices that could not be emulated by other regions.

Indian wine has made rapid progress on the world stage over the last few years, and continues to do so in leaps and bounds. It already makes some very good wines - like Soul Tree - but it won’t be long before almost all the wine coming out of India will be comparable with some of the best in the world.

Why should I prefer Soul Tree over tried and tested wines from the old and new world?

The last time we counted, there were over 7000 different wine brands available in the UK, and these include wines from the length and breadth of the world. Wine is not about finding a favourite and drinking it every day, but about being adventurous, about experimenting, and about going out and trying to find a wine that excites you on a particular day!

We at Soul Tree do not believe in trying to prove how we are better than the competition, but in drawing your attention to a fantastic option of a wine that we think you will find to be different from many of the wines you have had so far. Soul Tree is also the authentic replacement for all the curry accompaniments that have been pushed your way so far.

So, having curry tonight? Have a Soul Tree. Feel adventurous and dislike the idea of picking up just another Australian or Californian wine? Pick up Soul Tree. It’s okay if you go back to your trusted New Zealand tomorrow or to another new wine the day after. As we said, try something new. But we are confident you will like Soul Tree enough to want to keep coming back.

Does food pairing matter?

In a word, yes! You can certainly drink most wines with most foods, and perhaps perfectly satisfactorily drink them on their own too. Soul Tree is no different - you will find it as appealing when it comes to sitting alone or with friends on a quiet evening, sipping your favourite wine as when drinking it with a takeaway from your local curry house or in an Indian restaurant.

That said, there is no denying that the characteristics of each wine (except, arguably, the simple, commercial, easy-drinking wines) are found to complement certain foods; this can be based on the colour, varietal, style, or origin of the wine. To get the most out of wines with food, a brief look at pairing would not go amiss.

Most importantly, however, food is about experience, and so is wine. Subtle differences in the location, the lighting, the mood, the music, the quality of your friends, even the glass you’re drinking in can change the wine-drinking experience. Complementing Indian cuisine with a genuinely Indian wine completes the Indian dining experience in a subtle, but very powerful way.
Soul Tree wines have been primarily designed to be consumed in India - and of course to be consumed with Indian cuisine. We have gone one step further and indulged in simple fine-tuning of these wines to the European palate, but without removing any of the characteristics of the wine that make them Indian.

What can I expect from Soul Tree?

From Soul Tree, the wine, you can expect some of the best wines from India, period. Expect international varietals, but with a tropical twist. Expect some of the flavours and colours that you could expect from India: diversity, mystique, emotion, chaos, a warm soul, and a spicy edge. Expect an approachable wine, yet a wine full of character.

From us at Soul Tree, you can expect a dedicated and unflinching attempt to keep bringing you some of the best wines that India has to offer. Expect socially responsible people that care about you, the consumer, the environment, and the poor farmers of India. And most importantly, expect to make friends for life.

What do the swirls on the bottle represent?

The Soul Tree swirls represent the spirit of India. You can read about them here.