BIOGRAPHY

BIOGRAPHY

Gagan Sharma is a Certified Sommelier and Mixologist, Wine Educator, Travel +Trade Writer, with Indian +international professional and educational experience of over a decade.

BIOGRAPHY

In this immersive workshop, discover the unique characteristics that make every source of water distinct. Explore the fascinating journey water takes from nature to your glass, and learn how to identify its nuances with the refined palate of a certified water sommelier. Each drop reveals a new layer of flavor, origin, and story, waiting to be discovered.

BIOGRAPHY

"Kunal is the Founder & Lead Educator at Grape Xpectations - One of India's Premier Beverage Training Organizations & is arguably India's most qualified Wine, Spirits & Sake professional. Kunal is the Founder & Lead Educator at Grape Xpectations - One of India's Premier Beverage Training Organizations & is arguably India's most qualified Wine, Spirits & Sake professional.

Grape Xpectations provides qualitative wine, spirits, sake education in the country & has the distinction of being India’s first Certified Sake Training Center & Regional Office India - Sake Sommelier Association.

With over 14 years of experience in training close to 7000 candidates, his sessions evoke interest and truly ignite passion.

His impressive credentials include

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Jacob is Drinks Sector Manager of Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board. Bord Bia are the Irish state agency tasked with promotion of Irish food and drink products globally. Previously, Michael has held positions with the Seafood and Prepared Consumer Foods departments of Bord Bia as well as working as an executive within Food Drink Ireland.

BIOGRAPHY

Mika Eoka started her sake journey in India back in 2019 and has officially formed the "Sake Mom India" brand this year, a single entity to provide practical skills to service providers, B2C promotions and B2B consultancy in the area of Japanese National ABV.

BIOGRAPHY

Nikhil Agarwal is the Founder of All Things Nice - India’s foremost wine and spirit marketing consultancy. The company is renowned for their bespoke wine and spirit experiences and is responsible for bringing to India world famous and Michelin Chefs for exclusive experiences in India’s top cities. Additionally, Nikhil Agarwal retails wine and spirits through All Things Nice The Wine Cellar – a luxury wine and spirits store located in Mumbai’s affluent neighbourhood, Malabar Hill. He is also Partner at Anggel’s Share LLP – a wine and spirit import company.

BIOGRAPHY

A figure synonymous with India’s bar and beverage industry, Vikram has shaped the country’s alco-bev landscape. In 2000, Vikram founded Tulleeho, marking the inception of India's premier beverage education, training, and consulting company. Under his leadership, the company offers a unique blend of educational and experiential initiatives tailored for diverse stakeholders, including beverage and hospitality brands, end consumers, and aspiring hospitality professionals.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Jacob is Drinks Sector Manager of Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board. Bord Bia are the Irish state agency tasked with promotion of Irish food and drink products globally. Previously, Michael has held positions with the Seafood and Prepared Consumer Foods departments of Bord Bia as well as working as an executive within Food Drink Ireland.

Topic – The Spirit of Ireland Masterclass

Bord Bia has developed the Spirit of Ireland, a dynamic training experience to tell the story of Irish spirits. This unique experience combines video material from leading companies in the Irish spirits category, a bespoke sensory experience and virtual reality tours of some leading Irish distilleries. Come join us as we bring you through the remarkable history behind the spirits produced on the island of Ireland and their exciting future.

BIOGRAPHY

As Regional Export Consultant at Familia Torres, Salim Isler exclusively represents one of the world’s most admired wine brands in South-East & Central Asia, Middle East, and Africa. HIs an expert knowledge of the wine industry, emerging markets dynamics, route to market strategy I operate in, with a beverage expertise backed by WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines.

Familia Torres founded its winery in Vilafranca del Penedès in 1870, 150 years ago, but its roots in the winegrowing traditions of Penedès date back to the 16th century.Torres is also a member of Primum Familiae Vini, an association representing 12 of the oldest and most prestigious wine families in the world, and is the co-founder of International Wineries for Climate Action, which promotes the decarbonization of the wine sector.

Topic – Explore Mas La Plana Estate by Familia Torres

Join Salim Isler who has been promoting the excellence, diversity, legacy and sustainability practices of Familia Torres Properties and share his passion about their exceptional history, brands, estates and territories. Torres is a member of Primum Familiae Vini, an association representing 12 of the oldest and most prestigious wine families in the world, and it is the cofounder of International Wineries for Climate Action, which promotes the decarbonization of the wine sector.

BIOGRAPHY

Ganesh Iyer is India’s first and only certified water sommelier. He has been instrumental in the launch of various water brands such as Evian, Himalayan, Ferrarelle, Perrier, Qua, & VEEN in the Indian market. Iyer’s association with the water industry has spanned over 25 years and his expertise provides technical support to the many palatable characteristics of water. With this new certification, Iyer has received sensorial training to understand different water types. Gauging the origin, composition and nutritional benefits by which waters can be distinguished, Iyer’s ‘Water Sommelier’ accreditation is a unique contribution to understanding the nuances and varied properties of water.

Topic – Water is Not Just Water

“Water is Not Just Water”. Water is so simple, yet so complex. So abundantly available and yet so precious. We all take water for granted and yet this water determines how good your Single Malt, Wine & Beer will taste. Ganesh Iyer is India’s First Certified Water Sommelier and has launched multiple International Water Brands in India. Attend his Masterclass & Tasting Session where he hopes to blow your mind on the science and business of water.

BIOGRAPHY

Alex has been with WSET since 2016 and is qualified to teach the WSET Level 1, 3 and 3 Awards in Wines. He currently oversees the commercial aspects of business development in the EMEA region as a whole and also looks directly after WSET’s Indian and African markets. Alex’s current key projects include the development and release of WSET Beer’s courses, increasing accessibility to WSET courses throughout the whole of Africa and supporting programme providers to expand their WSET course and language offering. Before joining the WSET head worked several years in retail, education and translation.

Topic – Faulty to Outstanding: Assessing Wine Quality

Join us for this enlightening tasting session where we’ll show you how to utilise the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to enhance your wine-tasting skills and understand the nuances in your glass that determine quality. Learn to sharpen your discernment, identify common flaws and the hallmarks of outstanding wines.

BIOGRAPHY

Liam’s career in the drinks business has spanned bar and restaurant management, brand education, activation and drinks development. Always intrigued by the production processes and choices behind flavour in spirits, he studied with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) before joining the Trust in 2016. He is now WSET’s Senior Business Development Manager for Spirits covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, working with organisations across these regions to provide clear, unbiased and objective spirits training.

Liam holds the Institute of Brewing & Distilling General Certificate in Distilling (Grain) and has studied traditional Japanese Spirits to become an official Awamori Jinbner.

Topic – Exploring flavour in Single Malt Whisky

In this masterclass, we’ll go beyond the label and uncover the intricacies of Single Malt production through a guided tasting of three Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. You’ll learn how the choices made during fermentation, distillation, and maturation influence the flavours and textures that define this revered category.

Topic – Rum: The Substance Behind the Style

Rum is often maligned as a spirit category without rules, but this is far from the truth. Each island has it’s own traditions, practices and regulation, meaning an array of different styles within the category. Our expert-guided masterclass promises to enhance your appreciation for rum, and bust a few myths at the same time.

BIOGRAPHY

Sonal C Holland MW is India’s First & Only Master of Wine. An award-winning broadcaster, she has been at the forefront of revolutionising the wine culture in India for the past 16 years through multiple initiatives. She is the Founder of SoHoWines Consulting which helps international brands gain a foothold in India’s complex marketplace. Her namesake Sonal Holland Wine Academy, India’s leading wine education institute, provides world-class wine education to both professionals and enthusiasts. Sonal is the Founder and Chairperson of India Wine Awards.

Topic – Viña Tarapacá, “The Gran Reserva of Chile”

Immerse yourself in an experience of one of the oldest wineries from Chile, with almost 150 years of winemaking tradition. Viña Tarapacá is a unique place in the heart of the Maipo Valley, one of Chile’s most prestigious wine regions, with a commitment to the environment and sustainable winemaking. In this Masterclass, you can venture into Viña Tarapacá’s complete portfolio, starting from their entry-level wines, easy to drink and unmatched in terms of price and quality. Gradually, you will ascend towards our iconic wines, which makes Viña Tarapacá one of the most prestigious wineries in Chile nowadays.

Topic – California: A Golden State of Mind

Join Sonal C Holland MW on an exquisite journey through the sun-kissed vineyards of California where we’ll explore a remarkable selection of wines that embody the essence of the Golden State.

Topic – Taste the Wonders of Australia

Australia is a vast continent covering 65 different wine regions - explore their diversity with Sonal C Holland MW in an immersive wine tasting experience showcasing the depth of Australian wines and their potential in India.

BIOGRAPHY

Nikhil Agarwal is the Founder of All Things Nice - India’s foremost wine and spirit marketing consultancy. The company is renowned for their bespoke wine and spirit experiences and is responsible for bringing to India world famous and Michelin Chefs for exclusive experiences in India’s top cities. Additionally, Nikhil Agarwal retails wine and spirits through All Things Nice The Wine Cellar – a luxury wine and spirits store located in Mumbai’s affluent neighbourhood, Malabar Hill. He is also Partner at Anggel’s Share LLP – a wine and spirit import company.

BIOGRAPHY

"Kunal is the Founder & Lead Educator at Grape Xpectations - One of India's Premier Beverage Training Organizations & is arguably India's most qualified Wine, Spirits & Sake professional. Kunal is the Founder & Lead Educator at Grape Xpectations - One of India's Premier Beverage Training Organizations & is arguably India's most qualified Wine, Spirits & Sake professional.

Grape Xpectations provides qualitative wine, spirits, sake education in the country & has the distinction of being India’s first Certified Sake Training Center & Regional Office India - Sake Sommelier Association.

With over 14 years of experience in training close to 7000 candidates, his sessions evoke interest and truly ignite passion.

His impressive credentials include