(Did we miss something there? Château Indage and Grover, do you export to the US?) A new Indian restaurant with a commendable wine list was Amma, the current hot spot with young professionals.

Certainly, Indian wines have made greater inroads into the UK market given the high profile of Indian restaurants in London. Don't miss the article on Michelin starred Indian restaurants and what Londoners are drinking with their curry in the July edition of SI.

Among the highlights of our visit was Wine Spectator's 2008 GRAND TOUR, the 7th edition of a tasting event held this year in late April and early May in New York and Las Vegas, respectively. More than 200 wineries from 15 countries offered their top wines at the tastings. Among them were all five first-growths from Bordeaux; top super Tuscans; Spanish wines, New World wines and of course top American wines.

We met several friends of SI whose wines are available in India such as Pio Boffa of Pio Cesare (importer in India, Sovereign Impex), Lamberto Frescobaldi of Marchesi de' Frescobaldi and Denis Horgan of Leeuwin Estate (importer for both in India, Brindco) and David Launay of Château Gruaud-Larose who will soon be in Mumbai and Delhi for major tasting events of great Bordeaux from the wineries of the Merlaut family. I missed meeting Frédéric Engerer. By the time we reached his stand the wine had finished and he was lost in the crowd.

Other wineries familiar to wine lovers in India included Allegrini, Antinori, Castello Banfi, Barossa Valley, Ca'Marcanda, Casa Lapostolle, Cloudy Bay, Craggy Range, Orneillaia, Château Latour, Château Palmer, Querciabella .... I could go on and on, suffice it to say it was an amazing experience. Nearly 4000 wine lovers tasted more than 200 wines. The difficult US economy didn't seem to affect attendance despite the $200 entrance ticket.