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 | When you gift people subscriptions to Sommelier India, they receive special cards informing them that the gift came from you. And with a subscription gift, they will remember you each time they get a new issue during the course of the year! Don't miss this opportunity.
The latest issue includes articles covering wines for the festive season, mixing Asian food with wine, a drive through Pauillic in France, the Chateau Indage wine bar and more, by some of the best wine writers in India and around the world. Wine Moments to Remember is a photo feature of our readers as they enjoy their wine. |
This issue also introduces our new wine columnist, Jancis Robinson (MW) who is the author of The Oxford Companion to Wine.
| King Tutankhamun was a red wine drinker, according to scientists who have been studying residue left in wine pitchers in the ancient pharaoh's tomb. The boy king Tutankhamun, who died in 1352BC, was, like his counterparts, buried along with all of the goods and provisions that the ancient Egyptians believed their pharaoh would need in the next life. Wine was a luxury drink in ancient Egypt and bottles were labelled with the wine's name, year of harvest, source and even vine grower. |  |
 | Earlier this month, Sommelier India had the distinct pleasure of participating in a special wine tasting organized on the occassion of the visit of the Primum Familiae Vini (first families in wine) to India. They are the most prestigious association of great wine producers in the world. The event was organized by Sanjay Menon of Sansula. |
The US and Australia has joined the European Union in the WTO negotiations pushing the Indian government to reduce its import duties on wine. Currently they are so expensive that consumers across the country cannot afford the wines that they'd like to try. While import duties are supposed to be restricted to 150%, they range from 177.33% to 264% for imported wines. The US is the leading exporter of wines and spirits to India and despite the high duties, its exports have increased by 350% in the last few years.
Sommelier India believes that duties must be reduced to more managable levels so that wines are more accessible. It is not meant to be a drink just for the affluent. With Indian wines improving dramatically each year, we believe that they can stand on their in an globalized market.
 | Yoga and wine may seem a strange combination to most people but for a yoga instructor in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) it made perfect sense. According to The New York Times, Angela Gargano staged weekend long wine and yoga retreats last August and is now taking the concept across the United States.
Ravi Hari Kaur Khalsa, a 20-year Kundalini veteran says that the key to pairing wine and yoga is moderation. |
| A recently opened Indian restaurant in Covent Garden, London won a prestigious Food Oscar for having the best wine list in the British capital. Tamarai is operated by Old World Hospitality that runs Habitat World in New Delhi as also the Chor Bizarre chain of restaurants. Their wine list includes 150 wine scomplied by Tim Atkin MW (Master of Wine). |  |
 | Marilisa Allegrini of Allegrini wines was in India recently and Sommelier India caught up with her. The wines of Allegrini are from the north of Italy in Valpolicella near Verona. Compared to Piedmont and Tuscany, Valpolicella was undervalued for a time, although its viticulture dates back to Roman times. |
| "Made in Italy" wine exports to the United States have increased by 7.6% nearly reaching one billion dollars. This is in part thanks to the effects of the Italian World Cup soccer victory according to data from the Italian Food & Wine Institute. |  |
The Italians at 31% of the foreign wine market edged out the Australians at 30% and the French who were 14% of the total imports into the US. The current harvest is considered an excellent year quality-wise though slightly limited in quantity. Wine is Italy's principle food export to the United States.
The three-day International Food and Wine Exhibition held at Delhi's Pragati Maidan was recently concluded. It attracted 70 international exhibitors frrom 14 countries covering all things food and wine. Manjit Gill, tbe corporate executive chef of the ITC, Maurya Sheraton inaugurated the show. Tell us what you thought of the show.
 | The Wine Park launched with a wine tasting on Sunday, December 3rd, 2006. Mr. Robert Joseph was the chief guest and the tasting was held in the Mezzo Mezzo at the JW Marriott. 6 different wines (3 whites and 3 reds) from 4 different regions (germany, spain, new zealand and australia) were paired with a 4 course italian cuisine by the chef of Mezzo Mezzo. |
Robert Joseph is a British born wine writer. He launched the London International Wine Challenge, which grew to become the world's biggest wine competition. Photographs from the tasting can be viewed at Shutterfly.
According to Daily News and Analysis (DNA) Champagne Indage Ltd (CIL), India’s largest wine maker, is on the lookout for acquiring wine manufacturers abroad. It will soon initiate discussions with a few companies in Australia, and plans to explore possible buyouts in France and the US, the major wine consuming countries.
Watson Wines Group (WWG) from the Coonawarra region of Australia has for the first time launched four of its wines in Bangalore. These wines - Unwooded Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot Shiraz under the Coonawarra Premium Vineyards label, and Unwooded Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon under the Gum Bear Coonawarra label - will be marketed by M&C Marketing and priced between Rs 750 and Rs 1,050.
According to the Indian customs authorities, wine worth around $10m was imported in 2005-06. High end French wines accounted for more than half of the value of all imports into India followed by wines.
Authorities are surprised at the increase in consumption of imported wines, since the duty on imported wine is around 250% (which includes a 100% basic duty, and an additional duty of 75%). One reason suggested could be the duty-free imports by high-end restaurants.
 | The last issue of the year is out bringing you lots to read on the joys of
wine, which we believe to be a delicious and healthy drink and a fascinating
subject. From articles on winemakers and our new columnist uber wine guru Jancis Robinson, to tips on the best wines to serve for the Christmas season and a photo feature on some of this year's wine happenings in India, you don't want to miss this issue.
Subscribe now if you don't receive the publication. You can either subscribe online with a credit card or by mailing a cheque payable in Delhi, India. Remember, rates will be going up from January 1st, 2007. |
| Prince Charles has become the latest painter to feature on Chateau Mouton-Rothschild's label according to Decanter Magazine. The Prince joins a list of painters which includes Braque, Picasso, Miró, Chagall, Henry Moore, Warhol, Francis Bacon and Balthus.
The chosen watercolour, of pine trees at Cap d'Antibes on the Cote d'Azur, was not painted specially for the chateau, but was selected by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. It is inscribed, 'To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, Charles 2004'. The 2004 vintage of Mouton Rothschild was recently bottled and launched, at around £80 (€120) per bottle. |  |
Another day and another wine enters the Indian market. Seagram India, the Indian arm of Pernod Ricard launched its first line of Indian wines, christened Nine Hills, in the price range of Rs 450 to Rs 550 per bottle this Thursday. . The range of Nine Hills wines include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.
The company expects to sell 10,000 cases each year. The total Indian wine market is just 100,000 cases at the moment.
 | The Indian wine market is not the only one growing. According to the US Wine Market Impact Databank Review and Forecast, The US market is to grow for the 13th consecutive year as people choose wine over beer. The annual growth is just 3% for the Americans but their total 2006 consumption is expected to be around 288 million nine-litre cases. At this rate, the US wine market will outpace Italy by 2010 as the second largest wine market in the world after France. |
Pio Cesare, one of the finest wineries in Piedmont, was founded in 1881. The winery is recognized for its elegant, big, traditionally styled red wines, and for its more modern, refined whites. Barolo 2002, Barbaresco 2002, and Gavi 2005 are being introduced in Mumbai and Delhi.
The last Christie’s hammer was slammed down at 20.15 on Sunday 19th November marking the closure of the 146th edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction which resulted in an overall value growth of 16% over last year. However, this year was splotched by the race for the white Burgundies with a price increase of 64%. Read more about this Burgundy wine auction.
Expect to find more Sula wine in stores near you. Sula has introduced ann assortment of 10 red and white wines in Himachel Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi and Chandigarh achieved sales of around 12,000 cases in 2005-06 with more people choosing red wine over white.
You can now get blog updates in your email by just entering your email address in the "Blog Updates" box at the top right hand corner of the home page. These emails will be once a week and will keep you updated with news, event listings and launches from the world of wine. Also, enter your email address in the "Announcements" box to be notified when a new print issue hits the newstands. Subscribe to the print magazine today for feature stories and lots more from some of the best wine writers in India and the world.
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