The business media is reporting that the Planning Commission is recommending that alcohol prices be standardized across the country. They are recommending that the liquor taxes be streamlined with duties being levied only on the value of the liquor (or ad valorem) in contrast to the current structure which levies a mix of ad valorem and specific duties.

Taking exercise, drinking moderately, eating sufficient fruit and vegetables and not smoking can add as much as 14 years to your life, a study has found according to the BBC. Research involving 20,000 people over a decade found those who failed on all criteria were four times more likely to have died than those who succeeded.

In its third collection as a part of the inspirational series, Satya Paul in association with Chateau Indage uncorked the Pop Art collection at the ITC Grand Central recently. This collection is an explosion of all rules associated with saris - it reduces the age of a sari by a whole generation. This is another example of Indian wineries being more imaginative in how they connect with consumers and build awareness for their brands.

It follows Chateau d'Ori's use of Simone Singh at its launch. Earlier N.D. Wines used Salsa dancers to add flair to their Delhi wine introduction. Expect to see a lot more of this in 2008.

Who has had the most impact on the F&B business in India in 2007? Business Standard took a stab at the list. Interestingly, the list mentioned some wine people - Abhay Kewadkar, Head of winery division, UB group and then Aman Dhall of Brindco and Ritu Dalmia of Diva in the context of Italian people pushing wine. The others on the list included Anjan Chatterjee of Speciality Restaurants, Jack Aw Yong, executive chef, projects, Hyatt International and Dhiraj Arora of Shalom, the bar, and Soul Vacations, the hotel.

French chef Bernard Dance's priorities are clear. The wine precedes, and decides the food to follow. That sounds radical; but after all, he is working at Möet and Chandon's Chateau de Saran, the company's private centre for entertaining a select few. Visiting Mumbai and Delhi, he elaborates on pairing wine with Indian food.

This is a video story discussing foreign wines entering India and the changing drinking patterns of the Indian consumer. Source Asia News International.

Over the last few years bartending has become a hot career option. No more is it a poorly paid career as it once was. Some of the top bartending schools in the country include the Johnnie Walker Academy which runs a six month training programme. If you are interested in a bartending career, this LiveMint article is a must read.