We're excited to be a part of Vinexpo Mumbai, bringing you 3 sessions on wine, beer and spirits!
Event details
Two day trade show
Vinexpo Mumbai 2024 brings together hundreds of exhibitors from dozens of wine and spirits producer countries around the globe.
Beer ON-flavours: Build your flavour vocabulary and become a better beer taster
Wednesday 18 September 2 - 2.50pm
Does wheat beer really smell like banana or is it all in our head? In this interactive session, Natalya Watson, WSET Beer Educator brings WSET’s beer lexicon to life.
Instead of focusing on off-flavours, those we don’t want to find in beer, Natalya will introduce you to a range of “on-flavours” by using foods, fruits, herbs and spices that represent a range of the malt-, yeast-, and hop-driven aromas we do want to find in beer.
Once you’re confident with what each of these different aromas smells like, you’ll then put your skills to the test – tasting beers that feature these flavours to see how well you can detect and describe them.
Translating Taste: Deciphering wine language
Wednesday 18 September 3 - 3.50pm
Ever wondered what it means when a wine is described as “dry” or “full-bodied”? Discover the answers with the WSET’s “Systematic Approach to Tasting,” a method that will level-up your wine-tasting skills and deepen your appreciation for every sip.
Join Alex De Cata, DipWSET for a guided tasting of four exceptional wines and gain insights into how WSET training is a game changer for your team’s expertise and confidence. In this session you’ll elevate your understanding and enjoyment of wine, whether you’re in the trade or simply love a good glass of vino.
Agave: Mexico vs India
Thursday 19 September 12 - 12.50pm
How have the traditions in Mexico inspired producers in India? What is similar? What is different? What makes Indian Agave spirits unique? Join us as WSET Spirits Educator, Liam Scandrett, and Maya Pistola Agavepura Brand Ambassador and Agave Spirits enthusiast, Riya Kachave, explore the similarities and differences between Agave Spirits from Mexico and India.
This masterclass will feature top-class Agave spirits not available in India and demonstrates the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), enabling attendees to level-up their tasting technique and discover the nuances, complexities and quality available within Agave Spirits from Mexico and India!
Speakers
Natalya Watson, Business Development Manger – Beer, WSET
Natalya Watson is an award-winning beer educator passionate about sharing her knowledge of beer with others because she believes that beer is simply too delicious to remain undiscovered. Natalya joined WSET as Business Development Manager in September 2023 to support the launch of the organisation’s new beer qualifications within Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Prior to joining WSET, she ran her own online beer education business, Virtual Beer School, for which she was named Training Professional of the Year at the British Institute of Innkeeping’s 2022 National Innovation in Training Awards. Natalya is qualified as an IBD Beer Sommelier, Advanced Cicerone® and WSET beer educator and has her WSET Level 2 Award in Beer. She is also the author of Beer: Taste the Evolution in 50 Styles (Kyle Books, 2020).
Alex De Cata, Senior APP Development Manager, WSET
Alex is the Senior APP Development Manager for WSET, overseeing India and key EMEA regions including the UK, Switzerland, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. He joined WSET in 2016 and is a certified educator for wine. Alex holds the Level 4 Diploma in Wine, Level 3 Award in Sake, Level 2 Award in Spirits, and Level 2 Award in Beer. Before joining WSET, Alex worked extensively with languages as an educator, translator, and interpreter. He also spent several years in business development within the alcohol and beverage retail sector, where he gained a wealth of experience in hospitality and retail.
Liam Scandrett, Senior APP Development Manager, WSET
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 in 2016. He is now WSET’s Senior APP Development Manager for Spirits, working with organisations across the globe 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.
Riya Kachave, Brand Ambassador, Maya Pistola Agavepura
Riya Kachave is an accomplished Brand Ambassador with a proven track record of success. In her current role at Maya Pistola Agaveapura and previously with Fratelli Wines, she has excelled in promoting brands and engaging diverse audiences.
Fluent in Marathi, Hindi, English, and Italian, Riya connects effortlessly with people from various cultural backgrounds. Her expertise is recognized through her certifications in WSET 2 in Wines, Building & Managing Luxury Brands, and Product Management, complemented by an MBA in Supply Chain Management.