Sommelier India extends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of those affected by the atrocious terrorist attacks in Mumbai. We hope that the hotels and restaurants and their brave personnel are able to recover quickly. The hospitality industry plays an important role in serving as an ambassador for the country.

By targeting it, the terrorists tried to strike in places where it would really hurt India and its place in the global economy. Our prayers are with the friends and families of those affected. We have the utmost confidence in the hospitality business and its ability to recover quickly, provide spectacular service to its guests and keep them safe from any kind of attack in the future. Share your thoughts about the tragedy with other readers here.

It's not too late to pick up a copy of the November/December issue of Sommelier India from the newsstands. You can also subscribe online. This is our largest issue yet, overflowing with interesting information and features! Included is Jancis Robinson discussing sweet wines, Ruma Singh on Bouvet Ladubay's associations with an upscale lifestyle, cookery schools in Italy by Michele Shah, Asha Bhatia and Avininder Singh on two Delhi restaurants, while Harshal Shah gives us the lowdown on Syrah and Sanjay Menon shares his Cape capers on his return from South Africa. Aman Sharma tells Brinda Gill about his passion for wine, plus the art of drinking wine explained and the Delhi launch of The Wine Society of India captured in a photo essay.

Finally, don't miss the special section on Champagne. You'll learn everything you need to know to impress your friends and family in time for the holidays!

As the wine drinking culture spreads in India, the country picks up the Beaujolais Nouveau tradition. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated around the world with vehicles and even aircraft standing at the ready as producers race to get the first bottles of the vintage to popular markets around the world before anyone else – from London to as far afield as Japan!

The last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom saw a new king crowned on November 6. Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, 28, was proclaimed the next king by his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, 52, with the title Druk Gyalpo or Dragon King. The ceremony was richly redolent of the colourful traditional culture of the Himalayan mountain state.

The build up to the India International Wine Fair (IIWF) 2008 has exceeded the wine industry's expectations and with two weeks to go, this event looks like its going to be a huge success. Where else would you prefer to be from 11th -13th December? Sommelier India is partnering with the India International Wine Fair (IIWF) 2008.

The Pune Wine Tasting Festival will be taking place between December 13th and 14th. It'll include wine appreciation sessions, cooking with wine classes, a blind tasting competition and gourmet finger food. Twelve wineries are participating and there will be over fifty wines to taste. Entrance fee is only Rs.250 if you sign up before November 30th. More information is available here.

“We believe our range of premium wines under the brand name Zampa is new yet worldly. The brand’s tag line asks you to ‘Unmask your soul’, to shed your inhibitions and be yourself,” says Neeraj Deorah, Director, Vallée de Vin, promoted by him and Deepak Roy. Text: Brinda Gill

You often hear it said that Indian wines have come a long way, which they have indeed when I think of the plonk we used to drink in the 70s and 80s, when there was not much else available. However, Indian wines still have a long way to go before they can be rated among the best in the international arena. Left: International experts taste Indian wine at Nine Hills Winery, Nashik

Tulleeho India is organising an amateur bar tending workshop in Poona on November 30th 2008. Their experts promise to teach you to 'plan a party, choose the most happening spirits in town, set up a bar, and lots more - down to the last detail . Tulleeho has also launched it's bar tending academy in Bangalore and plans to take in its first batch in Januray 2009.Compiled by Shivani Dogra

Wine Spectator announced its Top 100 Wines of the Year this week and while no Indian wines made the list, several wines that are available in India and have been featured in Sommelier India were included. The top wine was Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005 from the Colchagua Valley in Chile costing USD $75.

Three factors matter when determining whether a wine is worth collecting or not. Firstly, the wine must have a proven track record of holding well over time. Some wines due to their tannins age much better than others. Secondly, the wine must have a drinking window plateau that is many years long. The drinking window plateau is the period for maturity and approachability. And lastly, there must be a consensus among experts as to the quality of the wine.

If you're beginning to collect wines, look for ones that meet that criteria!

You've heard of Salvatore Ferragamo, a world leader in designer fashion and luxury goods. And if you've been reading Sommelier India - The Wine Magazine (July/August 2008), you know that Ferragamo produces some wonderful wines and offers splendid accommodation for wine tourists. The agriturismo is a project which took off in 1993 and is personally directed by Salvatore Ferragamo. Left: Ferruccio and Salvatore Ferragamo in the underground cellar of IL Borro.

What's new is that Ferragamo wines are now coming into the country courtesy Finewinesmmore (FWM), a leading importer of luxury wines and food products, under the dynamic direction of founder and CEO, Dharti Desai.

The ambience at the courtyard was lazy, laid-back, Mediterranean. The subtle smell of horses and sandy gravel beneath your feet lent a quaint country feel to the pleasant setting. Mystic music, cool weather and a glass of wine swirling in your hand – it was heady, to say the least, writes Suneeta Kanga. Close your eyes and you are in Bordeaux country; wake up and you are at Olive, Race Course, Mumbai, with a glass of Château D’Ori wine!

The Australian High Commission, Tourism Australia and Singapore Airlines organised an "Australian Food and Wine” festival at the The Oberoi Hotel earlier this month. India is seen as a strong emerging market with promising prospects for the Australian Wine Industry, writes Shivani Dogra.

Kumarakom Lake Resort is a Paul John Enterprise, a group that understands both hospitality and wines. This is clearly attested by the recent recognition Kumarakom Lake Resort has received in the Conde Nast Reader Choice Awards 2008 as one of Asia’s top 25. Kumarakom Lake Resort is the only Kerala resort to feature in the list.

As the party season steps up, what could make a better dinner party gift than a bottle of fine wine? Produced in Nashik, Vintage Wines combine Italian technology and traditional winemaking methods to make wines from estate grown grapes. Incorporated in December 2002, Vintage Wines is a family-owned company managed by Yatin Patil and his wife Kiran Patil. Reveilo Wines in specially designed festive jute bags.

If you’ve been reading Sommelier India – The Wine Magazine (November/December 2008), you know what makes Champagne unique. The articles and interviews in our special Champagne section make interesting reading. However, while Champagne only comes from Champagne, it isn’t the only sparkling wine. (India produces some fine examples, such as Château Indage’s Marquise de Pompadour and Sula Brut.)

A new board has been appointed to oversee strategic investment in research and development for the Australian grape and wine industry. Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has appointed five new board members and reappointed two existing members to the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation.

"The board brings together a range of people with extensive experience in the Australian viticulture and viniculture industries, including in scientific research, marketing, financial planning, training and academia," Burke says.

For those of us well acquainted with the famous Portuguese wine, Mateus rosé (pictured right), it comes as a pleasant surprise that there is a much more palatable choice of still wines emanating from Portugal, writes Harshal Shah. For decades, nay centuries, Portugal has been synonymous with the production of high quality fortified wines in tawny and ruby ports as well as late-bottled vintage port. These have been best produced in the Duoro Valley, in the northeast of the country.