The Festive Season is round the corner. Lots of 'gifting' takes place in this season, Ajay Gothwal reminds us. People use this opportunity to convey thanksgiving and good wishes with gifts. "I am sure you would like to be different and do it in style"' adds Ajay.
Pictured: Nine Hills festive gift pack

A gastronomical adventure unfolded at the Allegrini Wine Festival in the first week of October 2010 in Fratelli Fresh at the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, writes Suneeta Sodhi Kanga. Exclusive wines were paired with gourmet cuisine with Chef Enrico and Sommelier Remy Torres from France, lending their mastery to recreate a delightful Italian experience.
Pictured: Sommelier Remy Torres from France

The acronym EAT is short for the European Art of Taste. And with the launch of EAT, the European Union and Italian Government want to introduce the best of food and wine from Europe to India. Considering SI's mission is to promote wine culture and gastronomy in the country, the launch of EAT is a very worthy cause as far as Sommelier India is concerned.

Zytex Biotech Pvt. Ltd., an established player in the Indian biotech industry, recently announced its strategic tie-up with M/S Lallemand Incorporated of Canada, world leaders in bacteria and yeast production. Zytex held a technical seminar on, "Fine Winemaking & Techniques for Success" in Nashik with technical expert Gordon Specht from Lallemand, California, USA.

SI contributing writer, Sonal Holland is all set to become India's first Master of Wine. Her application into the first year MW Education Programme has been accepted, and she will be required to to travel to Austria for a residential seminar; London and Hungary for Course days and Bordeaux for Tastings and winery visits. "I am also planning to undertake my own personal travel to other regions to optimise learning opportunities," she says. Readers can look forward to hearing how she gets along in her studies from her column in Sommelier India, "Diary of an MW Student".

Finding your perfect wine has never been so easy - nor so much fun. The newly opened Juben Wine Cellar and Tasting Room at Shopper's Stop, Juhu, Level II, Mumbai, is the brainchild of Satyam and Juben Savla, who already run two successful wine stores in Mumbai.Their USP is to allow their customers to make the perfect wine choice the first time and every time, says Suneeta Sodhi Kanga.
Pictured: The Enomatic wine dispenser at Juben wine store

Vinsura Wineries Pvt Ltd announces the appointment of their new COO Gopal Jadhav, a seasoned professional in the wine industry with wide experience of more than 25 years. Described as an accomplished strategist and marketer, Jadhav has worked with several different wine companies. Prior to joining Vinsura Wines, he was associated with companies like Atlus Holdings Square Beverage Ltd, Indage Vinters, City Cellars Pvt Ltd. and JSC Radius Global.

Located on the French Mediterranean coast in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, Montpellier is hosting the 18th edition of Millésime Bio. Exclusively devoted to wine made from organic farming, this professional organic wine trade fair has become a major event for the sector. On January 24, 25 and 26, 2011, over 500 exhibitors hailing from across the world and over 3,000 professional visitors are expected at the Montpellier Exhibition Centre.

Mittal Vineyards, a Nashik based winery has partnered with Watershed Premium Wines, Margaret River for a Technical Collaboration & Marketing Assistance Agreement, states a news release from the company. Since the release of its first wines in 2002, Watershed, based in the heart of Margaret River, the world-renowned wine region in Western Australia, has quickly developed a reputation as a quality wine producer.

In the next edition of Sommelier India WINE Magazine, (soon to reach subscribers) SI correspondent for Italy, Michèle Shah describes Italian sparklng wines, Prosecco and Franciacorta. Don't miss the article. Meanwhile, some very good examples available in India are given below with a descriptive note by Michèle.
Pictured is a label of Carpenè Malvolti Prosecco

Aspri Spirits celebrated the introduction of four wine labels from the Feudi Di San Gregorio portfolio with the visit of Ms Frencesca Festa, Export Director, Feudi Di San Gregorio Wines, a top-rated wine group from the Campania region of Italy, reports Suneeta Sodhi Kanga. Pictured:Francesca Festa, Export Director, Feudi di Sangregorio Wines and Sumedh Singh Mandla, CEO, Aspri Spirits

A Spanish wine and food festival is being held at the Le Meridien Hotel in Pune from the 20th to 28th October 2010 in collaboration with Bodegas Farina winery from Spain' s famous Toro wine producing region reports Brinda Gill. The winery is specially flying down Chef Luis Alberto for the festival which will feature a creative Spanish cuisine menu with El Pastor cheese from Benavente, Spain, and fine wines from the Farina winery.

Riona Wines together with The Club, Mumbai, presented wine enthusiasts the essence of Italy's Marche (pronounced as Mahr-kay) region in September 2010. Andrea Angeletti, a Michelin Star Chef, was specially flown to India by Riona Wines to showcase wine and cuisine from the Marche region of Italy at an exclusive wine dinner for its members and guests. Suneeta Sodhi Kanga of Sommelier India was present.

The visit of a First Growth from Bordeaux attracts rock-star like attention and anticipation by wine lovers. More so when it's the Château's first visit to a country, as it is in this case...and with the mystical Château Margaux there is its extra exclusivity to celebrate, writes Sanjay Menon. Château Margaux, the only Premier Grand Cru of Bordeaux from the Margaux appellation, produces a wine that is distinctly different from the other four.

The Bangalore Wine Club (BWC) hosted a first-of-its-kind food and wine event in Bangalore (and probably India) on 29th September, titled 'The BWC Wine Crawl'. Over one evening, wine club members wined and dined in style across four participating restaurants at the hip and happening UB City, writes Club President, Aslam Gafoor, who put the evening together along with fellow Committee Members, Nina, Krish, Naozar and Alok.
Pictured Alok, Naozar, Nina, Aslam and Krish - The Bangalore Wine Club Committee

One of India's premium bespoke wine programmes for American Express Platinum Card members, WINEESSENTIALLY from the stable of FineWinesnMore is aimed at wine lovers and connoisseurs alike reports Naina Hiranandani

Kangan, the Indian restaurant at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, is hosting the Grand Trunk Road Food Festival from 8th to 24th October. The special festival menu will feature a variety of special preparations, reports Brinda Gill
Pictured Tangri Kebab

Nestled in a remote valley of the Aravalli Hills, 270 km from Delhi and a four-and-a-half hour drive off National Highway 8, lies the dream destination of Amanbagh. We were met on arrival by the charming and ever smiling, Robyn Bickford and Manav Garewal, Joint General Managers of the property. At the entrance two hostesses clad in orange sarees sang a hymn to Lord Vishnu asking for his blessings on our stay and accorded us a traditional welcome writes Bunty Singh.

The first ever International Grenache Day was variously celebrated in India, in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi. Jyoti Thottam South Asia Bureau Chief for Time Inc attended the Grenache wine tasting and dinner at the home of the publisher of Sommelier India WINE magazine in Delhi.