"Ten years into its economic boom, India has transformed itself: Though poverty is still widespread, millionaires abound. Their new drink of choice? Wine." Forbes writer Pascale Le Draoulec draws attention to some of the country's best wine spots and also mentions Sommelier India saying, " Those new to the grape can read all about sniffing and swirling in the glossy India Sommelier magazine.

It's drawing such reputable contributors as Jancis Robinson, editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine and the wine correspondent for The Financial Times."

The restaurants that get mentioned include -
Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mumbai), Travertino, The Oberoi (New Delhi), Diva (New Delhi), The Spice Route, The Imperial Hotel, (New Delhi), Indigo (Mumbai), The Zodiac Grill, The Taj Mahal (Mumbai) and Pure, Taj Lands End (Mumbai) and Masala Art, Taj Palace Hotel (New Delhi) and Orient Express, Taj Palace Hotel, (New Delhi). Interestingly, all the restaurants mentioned are either based in Mumbai or Delhi.

Rabobank International suggests that the Indian wine market will grow by 25 to 30 percent to 1.7 million cases by 2010. The market is currently valued at $62 million.

Michel Rolland, Bruno Prats and other Bordeaux notables claim climate change will positively affect the Bordeaux region says Decanter magazine. Speaking at the recent 2008 Climate Change and Wine Conference in Barcelona, they argued that global warming offered new possibilities. Citing Cos d'Estournel as an example, Bruno Prats said that its last 10 vintages have been the best ever.

But not everyone at the conference was as excited about global warming. Some speakers were worried that it could lead to coarser wine with higher alcohol levels and lower acidity. Not surprisingly, countries like New Zealand which has the most to benefit from global warming is upbeat about the climatic changes.

We met Mahesh Lekkala recently in Delhi at a dinner at the Olive Beach restaurant. Mahesh is the man behind Wine Legend, a private limited company headquartered in Chennai. Based in Livingstone, New Jersey, Mahesh and his family own several retail and online wine stores in the US while Wine Legend India (Pvt) Ltd with Hans Raj Ahuja as MD, imports and distributes a selection of mainly New World wines in India.

Bruce Cakebread, owner and winemaker at Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley passed through Delhi earlier this month. We met him briefly but long enough to spark an interest in his wines. The wines under the Cakebread label priced from Rs 4,000 upwards are available in India through Brindco at most fine hotels and restaurants, outlets that offer the best ambience for wines with proper storage and service. You are unlikely to have a bad experience with good wine.

The Financial Express is reporting that the UB Group is planning to expand its product basking by launching 80 wine brands including imported brands this year. The company is learnt to be launching about 10-12 own labels under its subsidiary, Four Seasons Wines Ltd, while another subsidiary, United Vintners Ltd, will import about 70 labels from France, US, South Africa, Italy and Chile, by the end of this year. Read the full article for more information.

The sixth edition of the India International Food and Wine Show (IFOWS) took place between January 17 to 19, 2008 at InterContinental The Grand New Delhi. In addition to training sessions, workshops and wine tastings, the highlight of this year’s Show was the IFOWS Sommelier Training Programme, a two-day programme conducted by master sommelier, Roberto Bellini, in conjunction with Associazione Italiana Sommelier.

The Independent out of London ran a major story on the Indian wine scene. Reva Singh of Sommelier India was quoted discussing the growth of wine in India. Excerpted is the Sommelier India reference.

Three years ago, publisher Reva Singh started a wine newsletter that was sent out to a small group of subscribers. Now Sommelier India, the country's only magazine devoted to wine, is a grown-up, bi-monthly glossy on sale at selected stores. Subscriptions for the magazine, which contains news and features on both Indian and imported wine, she says, are up by 25 per cent on last year.

"Things are changing. People are becoming increasingly sophisticated with wine and want to learn more about it. When we started, people perceived drinking wine as being trendy. Many men preferred to drink Scotch. Now it has got to where people are asking questions."

For the full article, visit The Independent

The Prince of Wales lawns at The Taj West End Hotel were the venue for the Wine Society of India's Bangalore launch on Friday, February 15th, 2008. The cocktails were hosted by Steven Spurrier, chairman of the WSI board of wine advisors. Guests included the who's who's of Bangalore's high society. At the cocktails hosted by Steven Spurrier, chairman of the WSI board of wine advisors and world-renowned wine authority, and PK Mohankumar, area director and GM, Taj West End, guests got an opportunity to get a first hand glimpse into a high-end world of exclusive wines.

Bangalore wine enthusiasts snapped with Reva Singh of Sommelier India (extreme right) at the Wine Society of India launch party.

Everywhere across the world Valentine's Day is being celebrated. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Across India, Valentine's Day is a huge phenomena with Rs.15 crores in related sales last year.

So what should you drink on Valentine's day? Experts believe that Champagne is the best drink for Valentine's Day. Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial is always a great choice. You may want to try Sula's new Dia wine which targets Indian women. The wine costs Rs 180 per bottle and only 8% alcohol as against the more normal 14%. It is a little sweeter than most other wines. Sula produces this wine in partnership with Bosca.

Fiona Beckett an occasional contributor to Sommelier India-The Wine Magazine (www.matchingfoodandwine.com) offers some interesting pairings of wine (and other drinks) to match Valentine’s Day favourites. "If you’re planning a Valentine’s dinner on Thursday and haven’t got round to the wine here’s a quick list of my picks with the world’s most sensual foods. Bear in mind that the pairings are suggested with Valentine’s night in mind. There may be better matches but they’re less romantic ones!"

Recently new wine importer Vishal Kadakia of Wine Park Mumbai held a series of dinners in Mumbai, Goa and Bangalore for La Brancaia, a top-end ‘Super Tuscan’ wine.Brancaia in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany is owned by the Swiss couple Bruno and Brigitte Widmer since 1981; their daughter Barbara is the winemaker, while the latter’s husband Martin Kronenberg runs the company.

Co-Publisher of Sommelier India, Shiv Singh decided to tie the knot with Dr. Rohini Luthra this January. The nuptials took place in New Delhi. The actual wedding ceremony was a dignified affair conducted according to the Sikh rites for close friends and family. This was preceded by a Champagne Lunch at Tikli Bottom and Dinner and Dance at the Hyatt Regency.