Wine, chocolate sharpen brain performance: new research
Here's more good news for wine lovers. Wine along with tea and chocolate have been proven by researchers in Norway and the Oxford University to sharpen brain performance. And just in case you were thinking of completely letting go with the wine on Christmas, the study also put in a word of caution. A moderate dose of alcohol helps enhance brain performance, but too much of it could lead to dementia and a host of other problems. So go slow. Here's to good health and wise drinking then!

IFE the International Exhibition on Food, Drink and Hospitality equipment opened in Delhi on December 2, 2008. IFE included participation of 300 exhibitors from 22 countries and an array of fine wines and food from many parts of the world. With each passing year IFE attracts more global manufacturers and suppliers with a 127% increase in attendance by industry professionals since it was first established.

The Maharashtra Excise department which has to date allowed an excise rebate for 10 years, has now done a volte face and demanded that wine producers pay for all the lost years in excise duty. Notices have already been issued to the likes of Chateau d'Ori, Vallée de Vin and Mercury. Other wine producers are expected to receive notices anytime soon. This waiving of the excise duty was originally initiated ten years ago in order to protect the Maharashtra wine growers from outside competition.

A Champagne glass with its muse being Claudia Schiffer's breasts is going to be released by Dom Peignon, from the Moet Hennessey group. Karl Lagerfeld is said to have designed the glasses taking a cue from the original rounded Champagne glasses that were inspired by Marie Antoinette's twin assets. Both Claudia Schiffer and Lagerfeld have long been associated with Dom Peignon.

Rumor has it that the 2009 Bordeaux En Primeur maybe cancelled. There's no official word out as yet but it's hard to believe that the top Chateaux in Bordeaux will give up the opportunity to wine and dine the global wine trade and press. It's become an annual ritual that pays rich dividends in column inches and price negotiations. The Sommelier India publishers were the first ever Indian journalists to attend the Bordeaux En Primeur and have been going back every year since.

Compiled by Shivani Dogra