Mystic Masala, the Indian restaurant at Vivanta by Taj - Blue Diamond Pune launched a new menu on 5th November 2011 that features an extensive selection of popular traditional Indian specialities including a choice of Maharashtrian preparations. The handiwork of Executive Chef Elangovan Shanmugam - popularly called Chef Elango - and his team, the menu reflects a growing appreciation of regional Indian cuisines. Brinda Gill has the details.

Calling members of the food and beverage trade and interested consumers. Fine Food India is only two weeks away. Register online early and be sure to carry a print out of the registration confirmation form with you. The Food, Drink, Hospitality, Equipment and Retail Technology event offers a host of interesting activities and exhibits. A visit to the Food Theatre, Drinks Theatre, Business Forum, International Food and Drinks Pavilions will be a stimulating experience.

Calling members of the food and beverage trade and interested consumers.
Fine Food India is only two weeks away. Register online early and be sure to carry a print out of the registration confirmation form with you. The Food, Drink, Hospitality, Equipment and Retail Technology event offers a host of interesting activities and exhibits. A visit to the Food Theatre, Drinks Theatre, Business Forum, International Food and Drinks Pavilions will be a stimulating experience. At the Forum of Indian Importers, you will meet India's leading importers and distributors and acquire valuable information and fresh ideas. for more information and details go to finefoodindia@divcomindia.in

Hall No 14, Pragati Maidan Exhibition Complex, New Delhi.
Monday 5 December to Wednesday 7 December.
10am to 6pm. Closes at 5pm on the last day.

November 19, 2011 - America's premier wine auction house, Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. is conducting an exciting auction of Finest and Rarest wines on December 10th at the award-winning restaurant TRU, at 676 North St. Clair Street in Chicago. You can also make long-distance bids.

"Wine is culture", said Gian Matteo Baldi, Commercial Director at Cav. G.B. Bertani, traditional Italian wine producers from Verona, at a wine dinner held at Hyatt Regency Pune. Five wines from Bertani, paired with gourmet preparations by Italian Chef Luca Casini, were served during a multi-course meal at La Terrazza, the hotel's Italian restaurant, on 21st October 2011, reports Brinda Gill Pictured above is Gian Matteo Baldi (right) who is visiting from Verona.

One of the most exciting areas for wines today is the area around the slopes of Mount Etna, the active volcano in Sicily. Although Etna DOC is the oldest/first demarcated wine region in Italy (1968), it is only in the last 15 years or so that top quality wine has been produced here, writes Harshal Shah, who was in Sicily recently reporting for Sommelier India

Hong Kong is many things: a modern city steeped in history, a gateway to greater China, a free port, a trading hub, and a culinary destination. Its aspiration though is to be the 'wine hub' of Asia. Is it already there? That depends on how a wine hub is defined, says Gaurav Anand.

In early September, I was invited to Shanghai for the launch of Möet & Chandon's Grand Vintage Collection 1911 champagne, a century-old treasure that I had the rare pleasure to taste. Belying its age, the wine was a lovely golden yellow and drank superbly. Now Christie's is offering six limited edition bottles in a luxurious black leather chest with elegant brass fittings, as the star attraction of its Fine and Rare Wines Sale in New York, on 19th November 2011. By Reva K. Singh

"There are a hundred different styles of Shiraz in Australia. We have lots of sun and Shiraz loves consistent sunshine", said Martin Strachan, COO of Glaetzer Wines (Barossa Valley) and Heartland Wines (Limestone Coast & Langhorne Creek), as he introduced diners to the Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz 2008 reports Brinda Gill who was present at the wine dinner held on 8th November 2011 at Hyatt Regency Pune.

Celebrations by the Bangalore Wine Club took on a distinctly Italian hue this Diwali, with a sit-down dinner with Antinori wines, organised for 50 members and their guests, writes Ruma Singh, at the Sheraton Hotel at the Brigade Gateway, one of Bangalore's new dining destinations. Pictured above are Shawn & Heather Genomal, Chetan Kamani,Farhad Bhabha - Commercial Director, Berkmann Cellars India and Raghavendra Hosalli.

If you're enjoying a glass of Sensi wine, it's almost unfair to ignore its illustrious past. Because how they came to be is quite a remarkable story, one that only a fourth-generation owner can appreciate, writes Naina Hiranandani.