The roses that decorate the ends of vine rows were not originally planted for aesthetic reasons believe it or not. Rose plants are highly susceptible to vine diseases and are usually affected earlier than the vineyard. Thus, roses were originally used to help winegrowers take quick action to protect their vines. They'd serve as an important early warning system for the winegrowers.]]>
The Indian wine industry seems to have been getting a lot of press recently. First appeared a cover story in Lounge, the Sunday magazine of Delhi's Mint, then there was an article in the Toronto Globe and Mail, and finally, the Financial Times of London published a report on Sunday which we have already shared with you. Here are the other two stories.]]>
In September last year, two Indian wines Viognier 2010 by Ritu, the export label of Four Seasons, and Zampa Syrah 2008 from Nasik winery Vallée de Vin flew off the shelves at Waitrose, the UK wine and food retailer. As their sales exceeded expectations, Waitrose decided to permanently add them to its wine range. But, while home-grown brands such as Reveilo, Good Earth, Big Banyan, York and Deccan Plateau are being reviewed and recognised internationally, it's the situation back home that everyone is talking about, says Ruchira Hoon. Read the complete story by Anindita Ghose.
The Istituto Regionale della Vite e del Vino (IRVV) organized a master class titled "Sicily - Soil, Terroir and Wines" at the Hyatt Regency Pune on January 14, 2012 reports Brinda Gill who was at the tasting. Pictured left: Michèle Shah, wine consultant and Sommelier India's correspondent for Italy]]>
Subhash Arora, President, Indian Wine Academy, and Michèle Shah, wine consultant and expert on Sicilian wines, introduced guests to Sicily with Dario Cartabellotta, Director of IRVV presented. Michèle in her presentation described the vast offering of Sicilian wines. While 64% of land under cultivation is taken up by white grapes, and 36% is under red grapes, Sicily has much to offer the wine lover as 85% of grapes grown are indigenous giving the island a distinct wine heritage. The variety of soils - clay limestone, marine limestone and volcanic - along with the amazing grape varieties - regional, local, ancient and international - along with viticutural practices and different types of trellising produce a superb variety of wines with subtle nuances.
Wines from wineries located in different regions of Sicily were served at the master class along with an informal interaction about them. The wines sampled were:Milazzo Spumante Metodo Classico G. Milazzo, Coste al Vento Grillo Sicilia IGT 2010 Cantine Barbera, Fondo Filara Etna Bianco DOC 2010 Cantine Nicosia, Rosato di Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGP 2010 Castel Venus, Frappato Sicilia IGT 2010 Feudo di Santa Tresa (Biologico), Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Classico 2008 Valle dell'Acate, Cartagho Nero d'Avola IGT 2008 Mandrarossa (Settesoli), Don Antonio Nero d'Avola IGT Sicilia 2008 Morgante, Rosso del Conte Contea di Sclafani DOC 2006 Tasca d'Almerita, and Moscato della Torre Bianco Moscato di Noto DOC 2010 Marabino.
After the informative wine tasting, guests moved to La Terraza, the Italian restaurant, for a lovely pre-plated five course dinner specially prepared by Chef Luca and his team to pair with the wines tasted earlier. An enjoyable evening - over super food, wine and conversation - followed. It was wrapped up with Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2007 Abraxas - a different dessert wine to the one served at the wine tasting class - adding to the wonderful variety of wines enjoyed.
Subhash remarked early in the evening that at the end of the tasting most guests would want to go to Sicily! Given Sicily's natural beauty, monuments and culinary heritage, plus the variety of wines and wine styles paired with delicious and artfully presented Italian food, it certainly is an attractive idea.
At a small, Italian-style restaurant on the fringes of south Delhi, a wine tasting is under way. Within earshot is the drone of traffic on a four-lane highway and the noisy building site of an overland metro - reminders of India's growing economy. Led by Kulbir Singh, president of the Indian Wine Society, the group of professionals and executives from the beverages industry are sipping from long-stemmed glasses of Piper-Heidsieck champagne.
This piece by James Lamont originally appeared in the Financial Times of London on January 22nd, 2012.
]]> Mr Singh is the first to acknowledge that wine appreciation in India is a minority interest. In a liquor market dominated by whisky, he says the pleasure of a leisurely glass of wine from a vineyard in France, California or Australia, not to mention enjoying wine with food, has a long way to go to catch on."The market is expanding, particularly at the low end. [It's limited] because of the tax structure which is quite ridiculous," he says. "A €2 to €3 bottle turns into a Rp1,000 (€15.4) one."
International wine traders, however, are increasingly eyeing India as having the potential to follow China as an explosive high-value market. Some view India as a future source of demand to offset drops in other markets and as a pool of wine investment.
But, after a brief rally, the country has failed to deliver. Wine volumes fell 15.7 per cent between 2009 and 2010, according to data from International Wine and Spirit Research. While China serves as an encouraging example, the gap between the two Asian markets is striking, research by UK-based Ditton Wine Traders shows.
China imports 2.5m cases of Bordeaux a year. Recent auctions in Hong Kong - which turned itself into an Asian wine hub by dropping taxes in 2008 - have hit record prices in spite of the economic downturn experienced elsewhere in the world.
By comparison, India's market is undeveloped. Asia's third-largest economy imports only 100,000 cases of wine a year. High quality outlets are few. Indian Ocean island states, such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives, import more wine than India, a country of 1.2bn people.
Read the rest of the story at The Financial Times.
You are at an upmarket restaurant and have ordered an expensive wine. As you taste the wine, both you and your companion are disappointed with the way it tastes, to the point that you suspect that it is not sound. The sommelier, hovering within earshot, has overheard you, or has read your body language, because he comes up to you and himself has tasted it.
Kings of old had people taste their food before they ate, but Raghu Bahadur wonders if it's a good idea for a sommelier to taste the wine before its drunk?
]]> Are you surprised? Shocked? Perhaps, but not as much as the person who actually endured the experience. The incident was recounted by a New York Times columnist, who then went on to enumerate the views expressed by wine experts, sommeliers at top establishments, wine and beverage executives, and other professionals in the trade on the practice of tasting the wine before serving it to the customer. They came out overwhelmingly in favour of the practice, which the columnist also supported, the predominant reason being that it serves as a safety measure to prevent bad or even slightly off-colour wine from reaching the customer.Predictably the view from the other side of the fence, that of the customer, is quite the opposite. I paid for the wine, he argues, so why should I share it with a stranger? This, of course, is the basic, if somewhat coarse and simplistic reasoning for opposing the practice, but there are other reasons that can be put forward on his behalf. In plain, unadorned terms, if a customer is happy drinking the wine that has been served to him without it the matter should be allowed to rest there, even if it somehow transpires that the wine is not completely sound. Perhaps he has drunk, or still drinks, similar wine at home - maybe an open bottle stored improperly for with what he is drinking and is not overly conscious about the quality, then obviously he does not need the service of pre-tasting by the sommelier. On the rare occasion when a customer is served bad wine and he drinks it without demur - very few, I think, will fall into this category - well, then he is drinking his just desserts.
There is one lingering grey area for the customer who does not want his wine to be pre-tasted: What happens if he believes that the wine is suspect but does not call this fact to the sommelier's attention out of sheer limited knowledge or intimidated by the condescending demeanour of the sommelier, a not uncommon occurrence. Whatever the reason, the sad outcome is that the meek customer, far from inheriting the earth, only inherits bad wine.
A practical solution to the problems associated with pre-tasting would be to preface wine lists with the message that the restaurant's trained sommelier is available to pre-taste wines should the customer so desire. Such a message would not tread on customers' sensibilities and may actually usher a role-reversal of sorts that could benefit those who really require the service. At upmarket restaurants, where the practice is most often witnessed, the customer, trusting his own judgement, will quickly learn to ignore the message and the service. At the not-much-lower end, the message may persuade the customer to shed his inhibitions and go for helped no doubt by the fact that the cost of the service is but a small sip.
Beware of the hidden pitfall, though, as the term "small sip" can have different interpretations. There are sommeliers and there are sommeliers, and it is not unknown that some require a larger sip of wine than others to pronounce their judgement on its quality, without the customer being any the wiser. The open bottle is brought to the table held at an angle, ready for the wine to be poured, at which the wine stands. The situation gets only murkier as the evening progresses, the sommelier getting (albeit unwise) with tasting sips graduating into tasting gulps.
Anyway, why do we debate on a subject as puny as a sip of wine? At worst call it unnecessary nit-picking. At best - and this is the part I like - it can be seen as adding to the lore and mystique that surrounds oenophilia. In the world of alcoholic beverages only oenology lends itself to the creation of a vast array of themes, big and small, that stimulate debate, argument, commentary among the experts. The reason for this is not far to seek.
Although the processes involved in the production of wine have evolved to a state of near perfection, there are two stages in the vine cultivation and the transport and storage of the matter what controls are put in place no two vintages will be alike, and hence the same varietal from one vineyard will vary in quality and taste from year to year. As for the last stage it would seem that it is possible to maintain full control to preserve the wine in pristine condition but, such is the nature of the beast, that it is not really so. The smallest lapse in transport and storage is quick to take its toll, leading to deterioration in quality.
In contrast, hard liquor suffers little, if at all, from these disadvantages. Can you imagine commodities like malted barley (for whisky), potato (vodka) or sugar cane (rum) being handicapped by considerations of terroir? And once they have been put through the respective processes the product that emerges is no namby pamby: it is a sturdy spirit capable of withstanding extreme conditions of transport and storage. The explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left behind a few cases of his hut as he hurriedly wound up his Antarctica expedition of the early 1900s. The cases were discovered recently, more than a century later, and the master blender of the distillery that now owns the brand pronounced the whisky to be in excellent condition. Yes, some rare wines do enjoy equally long lives and reveal pristine condition when opened (see Sommelier India Aug-Sep 2011, "Drinking in their original place and remain untouched, and at ideal temperature and humidity, throughout.
So it is that the puny sip of wine gets written about. Order two bottles of the same wine and, if you have opted for the service, you will need to have each of them pre- tasted separately by the sommelier. Would you require similar service for any other beverage? Now you see why all discussion on wine gets elevated to the level of philosophy.
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An excellent wine dinner at Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi provided an opportunity to know more about the magnificent Edmond de Rothschild universe of wines, writes Romain Bonnaud. Organized within the spacious lounges of The Chambers, this event shed light on Château Clarke and Château Malmaison with an expert commentary by Florent Mougin, Asia Pacific Export Manager. Pictured left. We were welcomed by a glass of Champagne Pommery Brut Royal in which seductive liveliness turned out to be the perfect mouth-watering starter with a selection of finger food. ]]>
Then it was time for a four-course dinner served by a very attentive team wearing white gloves in the pure tradition of fine catering. The dynamic Marketa Sitarova, the hotel's head of sommeliers, took care of the presentation of the wines with attentive service and specialist know-how.
Château Clarke was served in two different vintages: 2007 and 2001. Baron Edmond the Rothschild purchased this historic estate in 1973 and entirely renovated it. Now his son Benjamin keeps on displaying a passion for excellence, producing a concentrated and elegant wine with a majority of Merlot grapes grown in a clay-limestone soil, which is quite unique on the Left Bank of the Bordeaux region. While 2007 distinguishes itself by a very expressive nose and a great energy, the 2001 is a more complex wine, well balanced with silky texture and delicate tannins.
Château Malmaison was presented in two other vintages selected by Florent Mougin and the importer Brindco: 2004 and 1999. This estate located in the Moulis appellation is probably one of the oldest in the Médoc area. The grape variety mix is also dominated by Merlot, which provides smoothness to the wine. During the dinner the 2004 seemed a little bit closed while the 1999 treated us with delightful notes of cedar, rich mocha and leather. It was, however, undeniably a good pairing with the accomplished tenderloin medallion and its cherry compote!
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The beautifully laid tables and upbeat salsa music made for the perfect ambience for the launch of Cono Sur, Chile's second-largest wine producer, exporter and one of its most recognized wineries, writes Suneeta Sodhi Kanga, who was present at the launch. Cono Sur's wines are exclusively imported by Sula Selections, the import arm of Sula Vineyards. A degustation dinner was hosted to launch these wines in India at Pali Village Café, Bandra, Mumbai last November.
Rajeev Samant, Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards pictured at the launch of Cono Sur Wines in India
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After a glass of sparkling Sula Rosé, guests were seated and the first course of a delicious smoked salmon mousse was served. The wine that paired very well with the salmon was the Bicycle Chardonnay 2010. This fresh and citrus wine is the winner of three gold medals at Mundus Vini 2010, and is priced at Rs1150. The bicycle symbolizes Cono Sur's strong and passionate commitment to the environment when making top quality wines. Whether you're a vineyard worker or visitor, at Cono Sur bicycles are used to get around in order to conserve energy and help control air pollution. Left: Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay
In fact, Cono Sur is the first winery in the world to achieve global Carbon Neutral delivery status, which means that carbon dioxide emissions from the shipping of Cono Sur wines have been measured and balanced to net zero through high quality greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. The winery has also been a pioneer of organic wine production in Chile and supports renewable energy projects.
In his short speech, Ambassador Barros mentioned that Cono Sur is one of the largest producers of Pinot Noir in the New World. We were fortunate enough to taste their Bicycle Pinot Noir 2010, which was served with a very nicely prepared seared Cambodian bassa. We were told that the chef had also used the same wine for the reduction. This light-bodied wine shows notes of cherry, raspberry and plum with subtle smoke hints. Priced at just Rs 1375, it is definitely very good value.
For our next course, we enjoyed a filet mignon with the Maipo Valley Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. Structured and rich, the wine is again priced very well at Rs 1825. During this course, Cecilia, who was also the sommelier for the Nobel Prize banquet in Sweden in 2007, told us a little more about Cono Sur. The name "Cono Sur" refers to the company's geographic position; it represents wines proudly made in South America's Southern Cone, on whose western edge lies Chile and its unique wine valleys. The logo is a freehand drawing of the silhouette of South America.
Left: Rodrigo Gallardo, Agricultural Attache with Cecilia Oldne, Head of International Business and Chief Sommelier, Sula Vineyards
The Tocornal Merlot 2010 was served with dessert, which was a ricotta and chocolate in phyllo. Both were delicious. A beautiful dark and vivid ruby red, this Merlot's nose is full of cherries with touches of black pepper. In the mouth it is elegant and full-bodied with a long finish, and is priced at Rs 1050. As a side note, Rajeev told us that Sula, interestingly, was the first importer of Chilean wines in India. Way back in 2001, the Satori Merlot was a 100% Chilean wine. This was before their own vines were ready. Now of course the Satori is made from 100% Indian Merlot grapes.
Nestor Riveros, Trade Commissioner and Head of the Pro Chile Commercial Office, and Nicolas Caso, Commercial Assistant, graciously invited all the guests present to visit the Chilean wine tasting tour that was being held at Tote on the Turf restaurant the next day. Pro Chile, the Trade Commission of Chile, is responsible for implementing and enhancing Chile's exports. Besides Cono Sur, about five other wineries showcased twenty-odd wines from their current portfolios. Amongst those present were Aspri (Los Boldos), Dhall Foods and Beverages (Luis Felipe Edwards), Sonarys (Montes) and Mohan Brothers Pvt Ltd (Fresita). Chile's very own grape varietal, Carmenere, was up for tasting and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Chilean wines in India gained market share quite early on and remain a popular choice with Indian consumers in the value for money segment.
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Bordeaux. The name itself evokes images of grand châteaus, vast expanses of vineyards, expensive vintages and, of course, a beautiful city that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its "outstanding urban and architectural ensemble", writes Rohan Jelkie who was there recently on a wine course at École du Vin. Pictured: LaBRI, Université Bordeaux]]>
To the lay drinker, the face of Bordeaux's wines lies in its reds. Au contraire. Bordeaux is possibly one of the very few regions in the winemaking world that produces all styles of wine.
Recently, I had the opportunity to pursue a course at the CIVB's (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) École du Vin and experienced for myself the very reason why Bordeaux sits at the pinnacle of the winemaking world. Set up in 1990, the École du Vin (wine school) aims to introduce wine professionals and enthusiasts to the wonderful world of Bordeaux wines through a variety of courses that it offers at different points of time in the year.
The courses here are extremely practical and move away from typical presentation-led sessions. Alexander Hall, a Bordeaux-based wine professional and ex-winemaker, was our course tutor. I had quite an eclectic bunch of people as batch mates from as far afield as Hong Kong and China, Jordan, Canada and the Philippines, amongst others. Each day of the course was packed with great learning experiences.
Day one saw us make a trip to the right bank to Pomerol, where we spent one afternoon at Château de Sales, the largest vineyard there, and got to interact with the winemaker and owner, Bruno de Lambert, and tasted and discussed his wines over a superb five-course meal! And if you're in wine school in Bordeaux, you'd expect to try some of the finest and most expensive wines, right? Fine wines? Yes. Expensive? No. Most of the wines that we tasted as part of the course were priced between €5-€40 and across various styles. Some of the best wines that were to be had were actually quite reasonable.
Of the many that we tasted, a few stood out for me: a Château Nicot 2010, a Sauvignon-Sémillon blend from the Entre-Deux-Mers - an excellent, easy to drink white; a Château Penin 2010, AOC Bordeaux Clairet; and a Château Vieux Moulins de Chereau 2003, a classic right bank blend. And all under €12!
We did taste others that were priced far higher too. But this just goes to show that good wines needn't be pricey. And our learning didn't end there. Our lunches were organized at some of the top restaurants in the city, and Alex would personally pick wines that we would taste and discuss over lunch. Then came the last day, when we trotted down to the local chef's school and prepared our own food, which we later got to pair with a great selection of wines. A complete gastronomic experience is what it was!
It was a week well spent in a city that has defined the art of winemaking over the centuries, and if you really want to see how the French have made wine such an inherent part of their lifestyle, I suggest that you make a pilgrimage to Bordeaux and its prized parcels of land.
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According to a new study, women who drink two glasses of wine every day say they're having better sex than their teetotaling counterparts. The University of Florence, Italy study assessed sexual satisfaction of 800 women between age 18 and 50 in its research study.]]>
They used the "Female Sexual Function Index" which is a 36-point scale that scores women's sexual satisfaction based on self-reporting of orgasm, pain, and arousal to do this assessment. Women who drank zero glasses of wine scored an average of 24.4. One glass a day drinkers clocked in at 25.9. And the two glasses per day crew blew the competition away, amassing a score of 27.3 on average. Do you believe this study? Arguably, it seems to imply that the more you drink, the better your sex life will be. And where does that leave men!?]]>
The best way to know, understand and enjoy wine is to taste and drink it. The Oberoi New Delhi, offers wine lovers a wonderful opportunity with its Enoteca Wine Programme to sample wines that you may have only heard the name of or read about. Don't overlook the chance to discover wines from estates such as Gaja, Allegrini and Marchesi di Barolo. Click for more infoEnoteca Wine Roster for January and February
January 11 and 13: Livio Felluga
January 18 and 20 : La Roche
January 25 and 27Napa Valley
February 1 and 3: Gaja
February 8 and 10: Leuwin Estate
February 15 and 17: Allegrini
February 22 and 24: Benziger
February 29 and March 2: Marchesi di Barolo
What you get: Three different wines to drink with canapés at Enoteca reserved between 7.00 to 9.00pm for Rs 1000 per head.
Here's wishing you dear readers, a new year filled with good fortune, health and happiness - and of course, many good bottles and happy reading!
2011 was another rewarding year for Sommelier India. We covered more wine news and happenings, tasted a greater number of wines, published richer stories, produced bigger issues and hosted exciting wine events throughout the year for the benefit of our growing readership. Thanks to your lively interest, contributions, participation and loyalty, Sommelier India's reach has grown exponentially. With your continued involvement, we hope 2012 will be even more satisfying and fun-filled in our wine journey together.
To receive the magazine in the mail, please subscribe here. Happy reading! The Sommelier India team.
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Continuing the tradition of hosting a wine festival in winter each year, the Pune Gourmet Club held the 5th Annual Pune Wine Tasting Festival at the Rohi Villa lawns on December 24th and 25th, 2011, reports SI correspondent, Brinda Gill from Pune. The festival featured 17 wineries offering a combined tasting of over a hundred wines. ]]>
The wines included wines from India, Italy, Spain, Australia, France, Portugal, California and South Africa, giving wine enthusiasts ample choice to satisfy individual preferences as well as appreciate differences varietals and wine styles. Rhythm, Zampa, Indus, Good Earth Winery, Reveilo, Fratelli, Silk Route, Four Seasons, Seagram's Nine Hills, York, Deccan Plateau, Kingfisher Bohemia, Kiara Wines, Pause, Vallonné, Jacob's Creek and Elkay Spirits participated in the festival.
Adding to the wine experience was the food court with a choice of cuisines such as Thai, Japanese, Indian, Cajun and Lebanese. PGC members also displayed their culinary skills by presenting fruitcakes, brownies, California bread soup, different pastas, sushi, sangrias and mulled wine. Artisanal cheese and fondue, grape stomping courtesy Nine Hills, wine cocktails, an art gallery, wine walks, information on wine accessories and wine tours added flavour to the festival.
Wine walks between different wine stalls were conducted by wine consultant Rajesh Rasal to show consumers how the same varietal, a Cabernet Sauvignon (red varietal) or a Chenin Blanc (white varietal) could taste differently produced by different wineries.
Chocolates were specially crafted by a chocolatier for the festival and boxes of 12 chocolates were given to different wineries to pair with wines for the enjoyment of visitors.
B.Shankaranarayan, Moderator, Pune Gourmet Club, was pleased with the response to the festival as were the participants. Ravi Gurnani, Director, York Wines, said, "I think the festival was a success. These festivals play a part in introducing wine to new drinkers as it is not only the same people coming in every year. So it is a good time to interact directly with the consumer by not only giving them a chance to taste our wines but also buy what they like."
Shailendra Pai, Founder and CEO, Vallonné Vineyards, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of visitors and their interaction, yet felt new facets need to be introduced into the festival. "Visitors in Pune are enthusiastic and keen to learn about wines. The PGC is a good platform to showcase new launches to wine lovers but the format of the festival needs to change now as I could see a certain degree of monotony setting in."
Reva K. Singh, Publisher and Editor of Sommelier India WINE magazine, said, that Wine Festivals were a great way of fostering a wine drinking culture in India and making wine more accessible to consumers. "Wine is a convivial alcoholic beverage meant to be enjoyed with friends and family and ideally consumed with food," she said, congratulating the Pune Gourmet Club on the success of the Pune Festival.
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Napa Valley produces some great wines by owners and winemakers with a strong desire to make a name for themselves. On the one hand you have the old-timer large scale investment-intensive prominent wineries such as the Robert Mondavi, Trefethen and Sterling Vinyards and on the other, the small artisan model producing minute quantities of superlative wines with utmost care and passion, writes SI contributor, Sonal Holland, who met one such producer couple - Shari and Garen Staglin of the Staglin Family Vineyard Estate. Pictured: Shari and Garen in the Staglin Family Vineyard. Photo: Eric Risberg]]>
A small winery in the Rutherford bench - a growing area with a reputation for producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the world - the Staglin Family Vineyards have close to 51 acres of land under cultivation. The total production is about 6000 cases, admittedly a third of what is produced by Château Lafite and Margaux, and not quite the global demand to match theirs. Nearly 90% of the production is domestically consumed within the US, but I sensed from our discussion that the Staglin Family were keen to expand their global footprint particularly in Asia, the fastest growing market for the top wines of the world.
Garen and Shari ran us through a presentation which showed beautiful pictures of their 24,000 sq.ft. large underground winery, as well as close-up shots of their vineyard practices. There is no doubt that the family believes in uncompromised quality which is clearly reflected in their organic viticultural practices, unabashed pruning and thinning yields to just over two tons per acre and selective hand-harvesting over multiple runs to ensure optimal ripeness of grapes.
Encouraging clone and rootstock diversity allows them vast selections of different varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sangiovese, to blend and make the final wine. Michel Rolland, the famed oenologist and master blender has been engaged as a Consultant with the Staglin Family since 2000. The top blend is labelled under the Staglin Family Vineyard flagship brand and the second wine is marketed under the 'Salus' brand.
I was both amazed and humbled to learn that the profits received from the sale of Salus wines go towards charitable causes. The Staglin family has been deeply committed in their philanthropic efforts and have so far raised over $135 million through the annual hosting of The Staglin Music Festival, proceeds of which go towards Mental Health Research.
This information had me eager to taste the Salus wines, which are being imported by Vishal Kadakia of The Wine Park and are currently listed at very competitive prices at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai, where we were had a tasting session that evening.
We tasted first the Staglin Salus Chardonnay 2007. As a stylistic expression and to lend further longevity to the wines, their Chardonnay wines are not put through malolactic fermentation which is apparent from the fact that the wine is nervy at the core but remains lively and rich on the outside with an oily texture. The wine needed a little time to open up in our glasses and started to exhibit some sweet yellow fruit as it warmed up, with a hint of oak-derived butterscotch and nutmeg. It is an overpowering wine that needs strong flavoured food to temper it on the palate.
Next we tasted the Staglin Salus Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. A very inviting nose of deep black fruits and sweet spice intertwined. On the palate, the wine seemed a bit early to taste. The tannins from the generous use of new French oak seemed right up front leaving the rich dark fruit little scope to show off. A fleshy wine that needs meaty food with which to be enjoyed. But overall, the wine exhibited a typical expression of what Californian wines represent today - big, bold and beautiful and this particular one had a definite touch of the earthy Rutherford dust!
I would have loved to try the Staglin first label wines, but alas, they are not yet being imported into India. For that, my plan is to visit the Staglin Family Vineyard on my next visit to Napa Valley - an hour's drive from San Francisco and for which I have a special invitation. I am indeed lucky to be in this profession!
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Wine in India has gained tremendous popularity in the last few years. People are writing about it, finding out more about it, understanding the many varietals wine has, and are discovering more and more ways of enjoying this beverage, writes Shreya Chauhan. Left: Chef Saby puts the finishing touches on a dish to be served with wine]]>
We have had grape stomping events to get people to join in the fun of harvest festivals, tasting events to simplify the complex issues of the nose and palate between the numerous aromas and flavours this beverage has to offer. Organized cheese and wine parties to help people acquire the taste of wine and food.
India has no culture of serving wine with food whereas in Europe and many other countries that is the tradition where they generally serve different with each course to best enjoy both their food and wine.
Although a late entrant, India today has many wines of its own to offer, produced from grapes which are grown here. Some of these wines have won Indian and international accolades, Four Seasons being one of them. The wines are rich, light or full-bodied, depending on the varietal and pair well with both Indian and continental cuisine.
Four Seasons Wine has recently undertaken to organize events in different cities to showcase the art of pairing food with wines, highlighting how the taste of different ingredients in food can be balanced with the taste of a particular wine to create a gastronomical experience. Abhay Kewadkar, Chief Winemaker and Director, Four Seasons Wines Ltd, along with chefs known for their culinary expertise have been taking audiences on a journey of discovering by marrying different wines varietal with the most suitable dishes.
At an event in Delhi recently, Chef Saby of Olive designed a menu to pair his signature dishes with Four Seasons Wine. Filo-wrapped Portobello Smoked Scarmoza Ratatouille, Wild Mushroom Salsa was teamed with a Cabernet Sauvignon Four Seasons Barrique Reserve to prepare the palate for the scrumptious meal that fiollowed. The wine's complex aromas of crushed blackcurrant with a touch of spice goes very well with roasted vegetables.
Next on the menu was the Confit of Duck Leg, red cabbage slaw, caramelized shallot jus, and wine poached prunes which was paired with Four seasons Barrique Reserve Shiraz which has an intense smoky and earthy flavour on the palate and is a full bodied and complex wine. Mature cheeses also pair well this wine.
To round off this experience the chef presented guests with a Winter Choco Spiced Cake that Abhay Kewadkar paired with an off-dry Four Season's Blush which has lovely floral notes with aromas of freshly crushed strawberries and hints of sweet spice.
At another dinner at The Park in Hyderabad, Chef Mandar served Seared Duck Breast with duck confit, carrot purée and apricot tamarind jus. This was teamed with Four Seasons Barrique Reserve Shiraz, whose suppleness stood up well to the multiple flavours in the dish with its khubani infusion which Chef Mandar used to bring in local flavour.
For the vegetarian and health conscious, the chef presented a Raviolo of local greens, lemon and ricotta anolini, with saffron sauce and spinach foam. Representative of Hyderabad's greens, this vegetarian dish was again celebrated with the Shiraz Four Seasons Barrique Reserve whose complexity married well with the spice.
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It's Christmas! A time to rejoice and celebrate all things great and small. And what better way than to break bread with the people you care for. There are offerings galore and we're spoiled for choice. An old favourite is The Oberoi, Mumbai and a current one The Aman in Delhi. Pictured: Grilled Ginger and Chilli Lobster at Ziya, The Oberoi, Mumbai]]>
Whether its Vetro or Ziya at the Oberoi you can look forward to raising a toast followed by a slap-up gourmet meal. Chef's specials are available at Rs. 3750, all inclusive. For casual all-day dining with the family, the Fenix offers various options such as a festive brunch with an unlimited pour of Champagne and an a la carte selection of traditional turkey, warm fondue prepared live at the table, interactive live dessert stations, and a live sushi bar with sushi expert, Chef Ruben Santos in charge. Feast on this to the accompaniment of a live pianist. Cost? Rs. 4250 all inclusive.
With New Year's eve around the corner, you might choose on dining out once again with special wines and select spirits, or bring in the New Year with a classic gourmet menu recommended by twice Michelin-starred Chef Vineet Bhatia at Ziya, the contemporary Indian restaurant. The signature chef's special menu will be available for Rs. 3750, all inclusive. Or celebrate at The Eau Bar with canapés and live music. If you are in a truly celebratory mood you can do both! The options are: New Year's Eve dinner at Fenix for Rs. 4500, all inclusive; without alcohol Rs. 3250. Guests who dine at Fenix can celebrate further at The Eau Bar for Rs. 7500, all inclusive. For more information contact: richa.thakur@oberoihotels.com. For reservations, call +91 22 6634 2012
At The Aman, New Delhi you can look forward to al fresco and poolside barbecues and brunches. Call, to find out about Festive Season Specials.The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the wine and food superb. The five-course special Christmas Eve menu costs Rs 3000 all inclusive or Rs 5500 paired with exquisite wine. Enjoy Christmas Brunch at The Aman lawns with free flowing Fratelli wines and Grey Goose cocktails for Rs 3500, all inclusive. For reservations, call 011-43633458.
-- RKS
The Table, a Mumbai-style San Francisco inspired wine bar and restaurant, has introduced Champagne High Tea. Afternoon Tea is a favourite break for many people. The day is winding down and you are feeling just that little bit pecky. The Table's Executive Chef Alex Sanchez has just the right answer, writes Brinda Gill. ]]>
"The idea was to bring more to the table than just coffee and tea during the late afternoon/early evening," he says. What could be better than English High Tea with all the traditional trappings plus a flute of Moët & Chandon Champagne?
A triple-tiered tea tray arrives with warm scones and strawberry jam, lemon curd and cream; a choice of vegetarian and non-vegetarian mini sandwiches filled with Kalamata Olives and Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream; and Chocolate Profiteroles with Vanilla Cream, Almond Financiers, Madeleine Cookies and Fruit Tartlets. All this to feed one or two people at Rs 450, while a larger tray for more people costs Rs 900.
You can top this up with Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne at Rs 550 a glass. If you prefer a hot beverage to a bubbly you can choose from a range of loose leaf teas. A pot of tea is priced at Rs 110 as are other beverages such as hot chocolate and a choice of coffees. Moët & Chandon Champagne is an integral part of High Tea at The Table
The Table
Kalapesi Trust Building
Behind Regal Cinema
Apollo Bunder Marg
Mumbai 400039.
Ph: (022) 2282 5000
A fabulous range of Indian wines, both old favourites and recent additions to the market, featured at the third Bandra Wine Tasting Festival, reports Suneeta Sodhi Kanga. Mumbai's most awaited wine tasting festival drew large crowds of visitors eager to further their acquaintance with more than 45 wines from India. Pictured: Vallone stand at the Bandra Wine Tasting Festival, 12-13 November 2011]]>
The participating wineries included York, Vallone, Good Earth, Pause, Nine Hills, Reveilo, Vinsura, Zampa, Fratelli, Four Seasons, and Mokssh. Said B. Shankaranarayan, Festival Coordinator, "The festival was a huge success in terms of attendance and a big boost for the Indian wine industry which is going thru a difficult phase."
Apart from showcasing their existing labels, wineries also used the two-day event to launch new wines. Good Earth Winery displayed their recently launched range of everyday wines, while Pause introduced Tempranillo, a Spanish varietal and Reveilo presented Sangiovese, an Italian varietal from Tuscany. Fratelli Wines' Chardonnay made its debut, and Vallonne presented Crimson Glory - a blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Held on November 12-13 at the D'Monte Park Recreation Centre, the Festival was organised by Pune Gourmet Club and Monsoon Winds Pvt. Ltd. under the aegis of Celebrate Bandra, an initiative of Celebrate Bandra Trust, and Fountainhead Promotions and Events Pvt. Ltd. Pictured: Neale Murray of Fountainhead Promotions and Events with Shankaranarayan of the Pune Gourmet Club
The open air event had a carnival atmosphere, complete with lively jazz music, gourmet food offerings ranging from Japanese sushi and Spanish tapas to "China-in-a-box" and "Pizza-by-the-slice". There were also interactive sessions with winemakers, wine appreciation talks, lucky draws, and other allied events.
The Annual Gala Wine Tasting & Celebration Dinner jointly hosted by The Wine Society of India and Sommelier India presents a great opportunity to meet members of the Indian wine fraternity including consumers, producers and importers. Everybody present looked resplendent and was eager to try the different wines on offer, says contributing writer, Sonal Holland. Direct Wines, a UK based independent wine retail company has recently acquired a strategic stake in The Wine Society of India. Simon McMurtrie, CEO for Direct Wines, who announced the new partnership, expressed his excitement at establishing their business in an important market like India. (Read the SI Interview with him in our February 2012 issue.)
My broad brush observation about Indian wines is that we make better whites than reds. Home grown Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and now, even the Chardonnay develops and displays a clean and honest varietal expression combined with bright acidity well balanced with residual sweetness, if any. Viognier and Riesling from India are yet to showcase their aromatic intensity, which is a hallmark for good quality wines made from these varietals.
Most Indian reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon have an aroma that I need to grapple with. There is a strong over-bearing pungent aroma that resonates of green herbaceousness or vegetal under-ripe fruit reminiscent of methoxy pyrazines. In some cases, the red wines simply smell of bad winemaking and poor hygiene at the winery and in barrels. I prefer the Indian Shiraz with its peppery nose, rich currant flavours, and medium to full bodied structure, generally well balanced with the alcohol. Residual sugar in red wines, whether incidental or deliberate, is a big turn off. We are well ahead in our wine appreciation curve as a nation to continue endorsing sweet red wines.
I was pleased to discover the diversity of imported wines available for tasting. There were well known quality wines from the classic regions of France, Italy, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand; and much to my delight, I also found a Gruner Veltliner from Austria, Riesling from Germany and Tinta Roriz - another name for Tempranillo, from Portugal.
Thanks are due to Indian importers who continue working tirelessly to unravel exciting and good value wines from all over the world, fighting hard to keep the prices at sustainable levels for consumers, despite the burdensome taxes.
I experienced a good feeling in the air, a sense of positive energy and optimism among the Indian wine business community and its members. I feel confident that we are finally approaching the inflection point beyond which the business environment for the Indian wine industry will start to see an increase in both market growth and market share.
The Indian Government's initiative of allowing Foreign Direct Investment into the retail sector (if implemented) will liberalise entry points and encourage multinational retail giants to set up shops in India, allowing organised retail to grow. This will improve the way wine is made accessible and finds its way into people's homes, introducing new opportunities to further the pleasure of wine drinking for the Indian consumer.
Listed below are the wines I particularly enjoyed:
Fratelli Chenin Blanc 2011, India - Arguably, the finest white wine from India. You have to drink it to experience it. Kudos.
Fratelli Chardonnay 2011, India - Green apple, citrus and talc, clean line of acidity, good intensity and well balanced. Interesting un-oaked style of Chardonnay
Vallonne Sauvignon Blanc 2010, India - Good varietal expression of cut-grass, gooseberry and melon. Refreshing, bright acidity and well balanced.
Vallone Merlot 2010 India - Good intensity of red fruit flavours. Well balanced, approachable and enjoyable drinking. Well integrated oak.
York Reserve Shiraz 2008, India - Peppery nose, aromatic, succulent fruit, smooth tannins.
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2009, New Zealand - Benchmark quality with intense flavours of tropical passion fruit, medium bodied, persistent length with a complex finish.
Bonacchi Orvieto 2009, Italy - Floral, refreshing, rounded and mouth filling, mineral finish. Nice
Brundlmeyer Gruner Veltliner 2009, Austria - Restrained and fine flavours, complexity on the palate with a lingering mineral finish
Fritz Zimmer Riesling 2010, Germany - Minerality and juicy fruit, simple yet lingering freshness.
Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2011, South Africa - Aromatic floral and spice, off-dry well balanced with bright acidity.
Piper- Heidsieck Brut NV, France - Fine flavours of apples, minerals, chalk, lemon and brioche. Makes for elegant drinking
Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2010 Chile - Juicy ripe red fruit, good intensity of flavours, well balanced, smooth textured and very enjoyable to drink.
Framingham Pinot Noir 2009, New Zealand - Succulent red fruit, roses and violets. Silky texture, approachable, elegant oak and a feminine style Pinot Noir.
Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Australia - Sophisticated and elegant, cool ripe and refined fruit flavours, concentrated, complexity from oak tannins, lingering length.
Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, USA - Mocha, leather, chocolate and more complexity. Mouth-coating. Keep wanting more
Castello di Bossi Corbaia 2003, Italy - Fine complexity from oak, well constructed, silky tannins and a full bodied mouthfeel.
JM Fonseca Periquita 2008, Portugal - Juicy succulent red and black fruit, easy tannins. Drinking very well now
False Bay Pinotage 2009, South Africa - Dark and rich, good intensity of flavours, drinking well now.
CVNE Rioja Reserve 2006 Spain - Big, Bold and Beautiful
Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2008, South Africa - Rich and ripe fruit, sweet spice, chocolate. Silky tannins, complex oak and a mocha finish.
Expert cheese-maker Sohrab Chinoy, Director, ABC Farms, Pune, says, "Wine and cheese are an inseparable combination," writes Brinda Gill describing the wonderful variety of cheese on display along with a choice of wines at the ABC Farms Cheese Festival 2011. The Cheese Festival took place on 3rd and 4th December 2011 at ABC Farms, Koregaon Park Pune.]]>
In his quiet yet bustling unit set amidst foliage, Chinoy churns out over 60 varieties of cheese from cow, buffalo and goat milk with flavours from the basic to the exotic; textures, crumbly to dense; aromas, mild to strong. Chinoy is known for the variety of ingredients - including oregano, chives, walnuts, raisins, wine, whisky, rum and cognac - that he adds to cheese; and his efforts are much appreciated by cheese lovers.
The much awaited annual festival presented a spread of cheese delights of special cheese varieties including goat milk, red wine, coffee, basil and cranberry cheese; cheese cakes; cheese dips and a choice of preparations with cheese.
Adding to the fun of tasting slivers of unusual cheese, were wines served for tasting from Fratelli, Reveilo, Vallonne, Zampa and Bohemia with representatives from the wineries inviting visitors to taste and sharing details of wines with them. Shailendra Pai from Vallonne, and Yatin and Kiran Patil from Reveilo interacted with visitors, who also shared their thoughts on the wines with them.
Also on display were chocolates; affordable art by Dominic Corda; KOOK Kitchen's modular furniture; garden furniture; Wrapistry's gifting solutions; roof tiles made from used tetra packs by Clint Desouza from Goa; pottery and plants, Ayurvedic products from the ABC Farms Ayurvedic Centre...all making for an enjoyable experience over the weekend.
O'Donnell quotes Boisset as saying that this is where Skalli fits in. "It is important to communicate our vision and story at the restaurant level, by the glass, and of course in retail, for bringing people into tasting wines from the beer and spirits categories."
Boisset also mentioned Skalli's established presence in developing markets like China and India as an advantage. Skalli's biggest labels are the Fortant de France and Couleurs du Sud labels
Read the whole article at http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/46117
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"Sales of Burgundy have been on the rise for several years in Asia," Louis-Fabrice Latour, Chairman of the Union of Burgundy Wine Markets (FNEB) told Marisa D'Vari from Sommelier India after a press conference given by the BIVB before the 151st Hospices de Beaune auction. ]]>
In his address to an international group of journalists, Latour explained the new "Bourgognes Amplitude 2015"ˇ plan which has been in effect for a year, designed to consolidate Burgundy wines as a "global reference for great wine produced from sustainable wine growing".
One of the plan's many goals is to further penetrate the Asian market, including India. The problem according to Latour and the Bureau Interprofessional des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) is that "India is a very difficult market due to its high customs taxes. The European Union-India free trade agreement, currently under negotiation, would be a key element."
Anthony Hanson MW, Senior Consultant for Christie's International, believes that going forward India can be one of Burgundy's strongest markets yet agrees that taxes are a key problem. ""The only thing blocking a great future for Burgundy in India is the punitive duty rate! Christie's discussed these issues with key players in Hong Kong over many months, before the dramatic change in wine duties there in February 2008."
Mr. Hanson MW will be organizing the first tasting of Hospices de Beaune wines in Delhi and Mumbai in conjunction with Sommelier India in February 2012. The high profile Hospices de Beaune auction, designed to support local Beaune charities, is in its 151th year and sets the tone for Burgundy sales for the following year. "The intriguing history and cultural significance of the Hospices de Beaune, with its iconic building, has a universal appeal. Its extensive wine Domaine of Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards fascinate wine lovers, around the world."
Of the Hospices de Beaune tastings in Delhi and Mumbai, Mr. Hanson MW said, "Above all, Burgundy is a food wine, and I am looking forward to working with chefs and sommeliers to discover fine pairings with great Indian dishes. And when I visit Delhi, I very much hope to learn more about where your Government stands, looking forward."
The hotel partner for the Hospices de Beaune tastings is the Leela Palace New Delhi and The Leela Mumbai.
]]>And for this reason, the `Regional Flavours of Maharashtra' section of the menu has specialities from different regions of Maharashtra including delicacies once prepared for the Peshwa rulers and in other royal homes across the state. For guests who would like to sample and savour the most popular Maharashtrian specialities on the menu, Mystic Masala serves vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood thalis.
The restaurant is also promoting wines; 12 wines are placed in the wine rack near the entrance and six wines in the wine tray. "While wine connoisseurs may know wines on reading their names in the wine list, other guests can only visualize the wines. I think people get a better understanding of wines on offer if they see the actual bottles and can make a selection. So a little after the guests are seated, the wine tray is presented to guests to invite them to read the labels and enjoy a glass of wine with their meal."
The wine list features a choice of Champagne, Indian and imported sparkling, white, red and rosé wines as well as some by the glass. Chef Elango feels aromatic white wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling are best suited to Indian cuisine as the preparations are so flavourful though he says with dishes like Mutton Sukkha or Seekh Kebabs a red such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot goes well.
"If the right wine is selected with Indian food, it makes for an enjoyable dining experience," says Chef Elango, and then suggests wrapping up the meal with the unusual yet refreshing homemade paan or betel leaf ice cream.
Open for lunch and dinner, a meal for two at Mystic Masala without wine costs Rs 1800
Mystic Masala, Vivanta by Taj - Blue Diamond, Pune
11 Koregaon Road, Pune 411 001 Maharashtra
www.vivantabytaj.com. Ph: (020) 6602 1234
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. 
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.]]>
The sale will feature US private cellars, including the cellar of Hugh Whipple, a passionate and long-time collector, who is thinning his cellar with an offering of magnificent Bordeaux from top vintages mainly in original wooden cases. The Whipple consignment includes wines from 1990 such as Châteaux Haut-Brion, Margaux, Latour and Mouton Rothschild as well as greats from 2000 including Châteaux La Mission Haut Brion and Lafite Rothschild. There is also a dazzling selection of Château d'Yquem from the classic vintages of the past five decades.
Aficionados will also have a chance to bid for top labels from the extensive cellar of Burgundy wines of an East Coast collector featuring producers such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Leroy, Méo-Camuzet, Vogüé and Rousseau. The auction is estimated to fetch $3 to $4.5 million and will begin promptly at 9:00 am.
Attendance is open to the public and free of charge. Reservations for lunch at TRU during the auction ($75) should be made by calling Gwen Brooks at 312.854.0096 or by emailing info@hdhwine.com. Photos of the top 30 lots in the auction are now available for viewing on www.hdhwine.com so that prospective bidders can check bottle conditions before bidding.
Although bidders are encouraged to attend the auction in person, Hart Davis Hart welcomes bids by phone, fax, through the website, via the live-bid technology. For more information, contact Hart Davis Hart at 312.482.9996 or go to www.hdhwine.com.
"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.]]>
Due to their political views in the first half of the 19th century, the Bertani brothers were in exile in Burgundy. On their return to Italy having observed the wine culture around them as well as wine production techniques, they founded the House of Bertani in 1857, a few years before the unification of Italy in 1861. Their goal was to produce quality Italian wines that would hold their own across the world. As their wines drew appreciation, the company was appointed by the Italian royal family in 1923, and their Soave featured on the official menu of the Coronation celebrations of King George VI of England in 1937.
And so it is with a measure of pride that Gian introduced the wines to guests. Due Uve Bianco 2010, an aromatic blend of Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc - a difficult wine to blend as the two grapes have distinct characteristics - was served with appetizers. The light, fruity and immensely appealing Bertani Soave Classico 2010 was served with a light and delicious Tomato and Bread soup.Two light and fruity, rounded reds were served with the main course preparations - Bertani Valpolicella 2010 with a delicious portion of Fresh Pasta layered with vegetables or meat and cheese, and Valpolicella Classico Ripasso-Superiore 2008 with an offering of Roasted Stuffed Mushrooms with vegetables or Pan Seared Duck with herb potatoes and vegetables.
And then the much awaited finale. The Amarone Classico 2003 that Gian called an iconic wine was served with a platter of Italian cheese with walnut bread and homemade ice-cream, accompanied by a mille feuille of rich chocolate with decorative swirls of Crème Chantilli in between, and a brandy snap basket filled with tiramisu ice-cream. A total treat for the senses!
Gian explained that the Amarone Classico is produced from specially selected grapes that are ripe with good acidity and are harvested a bit early. They are then spread out to dry on mats for four months so that the sugars and flavours get concentrated, thus yielding fruit - and subsequently wine - with good acidity, sugar and flavours; the wine also undergoes a long ageing process. Bertani was the first producer of Amarone; the first vintage was produced in 1959. While a bottle of wine is normally produced from one kg grapes, one bottle of Amarone Classico is obtained from three kgs of grapes. No wonder the wine is rich, luscious, deep and utterly enjoyable!
"You put something of yourself, your soul when you make wine. The more you drink wine, the deeper you go into its nuances. You learn that different wines have different personalities, different regions in a country produce different wines, and then different countries have different wines. Drinking wine is a long journey," he added.
Bertani Wines are imported in India through through Berkmann Wine Cellars India Pvt. Ltd. Ph: (022) 26191366.
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]]>
The soils in this region are largely volcanic: dark grey in colour and quite sandy. It is for this reason that while Phylloxera (the vine louse that destroyed most vineyards in Europe in the late 1800's) decimated the vineyards of mainland Italy, it could not settle and reproduce in Etna. As a result, some of the vines in Etna are very very old and are still growing on their original roots.
Elsewhere, vine growers had to graft their vines on to Phylloxera-resistant rootstocks. The old vines produce less grapes than younger, grafted vines, resulting in wines with generally more concentration of flavours and intensity. The vineyards are often high in altitude, have very hot daytime temperatures while quite cool at night. The area gets a lot of rainfall and the volcanic soils all combine to provide fine growing conditions.
There are some grape varieties planted here that are not really found anywhere else in Italy, let alone the world. These include Carricante and Catarratto, both rather citrusy, medium-bodied white grapes (Catarratto can also sometimes be a tad bitter), and Nerello Mascalese, a red grape producing light-coloured yet powerful, fragrant and textured wines, a bit like Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Of course Nero d'Avola (red) and Grillo (white) are also planted but somehow don't seem to fare quite so well on the eastern side of Sicily where Etna is located. Interestingly, India produces one Nero d'Avola and one Grillo.
So popular are the Nerello reds from this area that the last decade or so has seen some pretty famous wine names from elsewhere in Italy establish vineyards. Andrea Franchetti is one of these. His Tenuta di Trinoro Super-Tuscan is one of the most expensive and collectible of its kind today. His wines from Etna, under the Passopisciaro label are far more cerebral and complex. They are also a fraction of the cost of Trinoro, which can retail for as much as US$220 a bottle.
Esoteric 'natural' winemaker Frank Cornelissen also makes wines in this region. These wines are not for everybody: natural wines are all about zero intervention including no filtration or adjustments for colour nor addition of sulphur dioxide, so a lot of Cornelissen's wines are cloudy and browning as they oxidise quicker. Some of his wines are also stored and aged in clay vats (known as amphora), much like they would have been centuries ago.
My recent visit to Sicily thanks to SI Contributor and Italian specialist Michele Shah, really opened my eyes to how amazing the wines from the Etna DOC are. Three highlights are below, but these are by no means the only outstanding wines from the region. By far, the best producer we visited was Tenuta di Fessina, run by Federico Curtaz, ex-winemaker at the famous Gaja winery in Piedmont, but there are loads of others. The estate's top wine, Musmeci is a blend of native varietals Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappucio.
The 2007 vintage of this wine is quite extracted with big tannins yet still with elegance and freshness. Red fruit and even some spice from the 14 months spent in oak are evident. The wine is not available in India yet, but sells for about the equivalent of Rs 2500 in Italian retail.
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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.]]>
For many, Japan remains Asia's most sophisticated wine market. But Hong Kong is becoming famous for setting wine records - usually related to high-prices fetched for wine at auctions. Another record was set in Hong Kong last week - the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair became the largest international wine event in Asia.
The numbers are impressive - 930 exhibitors, nearly 40,000 visitors (of whom 19,000 were trade buyers and the remainder were mostly members of the public). More impressive though is the pace at which the fair has achieved this scale - the inaugural edition was held just four years back in 2008. That's also the year in which Hong Kong abolished import duties on wine.
Almost every major and emerging winemaking country was represented among the exhibitors - including India. In a sign of the times, these mostly Western exhibitors were all aggressively courting Asian buyers. Most were in Hong Kong as a part of a larger swing through mainland China and other Asian countries.
As the partner country for the show, Italy had the dominant presence - both in the number of exhibitors and in terms of the overall programme. Michelin-starred Italian chefs cooked up the meal for the 450-people pre-plated gala dinner. They also added flavour to the Italian pavilion in the main exhibition by showing-off Italian ingredients and running live cooking demos as part of a cooking theatre.
If the flavour of the show was Italian, the colour was definitely red. Though numbers are hard to come by, I would guess that at least 80-85% of the wines at the exhibition were red. Most producers, even those who make stellar whites, put the focus on showcasing their red wines. Some of these exhibitors were surprised when I asked to start with tasting their whites. This, of course, is a bow to the Hong Kong market - which is obsessed with Grand Cru red Bordeaux. Wine shops in Hong Kong (including the airport duty free) were overflowing with Grand Cru Bordeaux wines. Wines from other regions were no more than an afterthought. Can a city be so fixated on one region (and colour) and still be a wine hub?
The Indian grape Processing Board sponsored the India pavilion once again - affording Indian wineries the subsidized opportunity to participate in the exhibition. Only three wineries (Chateau Indage, Reveilo and Luca Wines) took advantage of the offer. Each of them reported some success, proving that Indian wine can be sold even in China and other Asian countries. Dr. JP Gupta of Luca wines gushed about an order from a Japanese buyer for a container of Lychee wine. Yatin Patil of Reveilo was more restrained - reporting small orders from individual wine shops and restaurants, and interest from buyers from Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Australia.
Hong Kong is a great city to visit - it's close to India, compact, easy enough to navigate and the cabs are fairly inexpensive. The Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is spectacularly located right on the water - and not far from Central Hong Kong. Commuting to the fair was relatively quick and easy - an absolute contrast to the nightmare of battling crawling traffic to get from distant suburban hotels to trade fair venues at Vinitaly or Prowein.
For Indian importers (who were largely absent) this fair is a great alternative to the European fairs. The biggest attraction though is not in the fairgrounds - it is the streets of Hong Kong which are host to an incomparable wine and food scene. Even if an even bigger fair does not draw me back in the future, the Cantonese cuisine surely will.
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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]]>
All proceeds from sale of the exclusive collector's case of six 750ml bottles of the legendary Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 1911 will benefit The Lunchbox Fund, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a daily meal for impoverished and at-risk students in South African township high schools, states a news release from Christie's. The lot is estimated to realize $30,000 - $50,000. (A six-bottle lot of the Vintage 1911 Moet sold for just over $100,000 at Christie's in Hong Kong.)
In addition to winning this unique case of six bottles, the successful bidder will be invited with a guest to an exclusive dinner hosted by award winning Chef Mario Batali at one of his signature New York restaurants. The meal will be complemented by vintage champagnes including a bottle of the rare 1911 selected by Moët & Chandon chef de cave, Benoît Gouez.
Even at the time of its harvest a century ago, the 1911 vintage was recognized for its quality by the then-chef de cave of Moët & Chandon. This exceptional champagne has been stored under optimum aging conditions in the château's cellars, and the bottles were disgorged only in early 2011 to ensure a unique, one-of-its-kind vintage wine.
As Charles Curtis, MW, Head of Wine Sales for Christie's Asia, observed, "Collecting vintage champagne is a niche within the already-exclusive world of fine wine collectors, attracting some of the most dedicated fans in the world of rare wines."
Contacts: Erin McAndrew EMcAndrew@christies.com tel: 1 212 636 2680
Jenn DeMartino Jenn_DeMartino@dkcnews.com tel: 1 212 981 5226
To preview Christie's auction of Fine & Rare Wines and this special lot (#128), please visit: http://tinyurl.com/vintage1911
"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.]]>
"Just as a director of a film chops out sections that are not needed, the Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz is produced with special grapes and later each parcel of wine is selected and only the best are taken for this label," noted Martin.
The evening started with the lovely easy-drinking Heartland Pinot Grigio 2009 (blended with a dash of Viognier) served with light eats, the three-course dinner of Indian specialities was paired with three Shiraz wines from Glaetzer and Heartland Wines. The two wineries are located in areas with distinct terroirs, they have the same winemaker - Ben Glaetzer.
Martin said, "Ben was named Wine Personality of the Year when he was just 25 by Robert Parker and received many accolades subsequently. He takes care to pick grapes when their acidity is just right and not to over extract the grapes. This effort results in wines full of pure fruit flavour, with a lovely acidity and texture, without aggressive tannins, all of which make them perfect to drink by themselves or pair with food. With the growing interest in wines in India we are keen to put our wines in the Indian market and feel they pair well with Indian food."
As the first Indian food and wine dinner at the hotel (earlier wine dinners featured gourmet European cuisine) Executive Chef Hemant Mehta selected specialities from different regions of India and toned down the spices while keeping to the original recipe so that dish appealed to diners, many of whom were foreigners.
Three Shiraz wines were selected that would pair well with each dish without overpowering the food or being overpowered and yet enhancing the dining experience. The first course of mildly marinated Afghani Tikkas was served with Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2009, a juicy fruity spicy-style wine with soft tannins with a hint of oak after maturing in two-year-old oak barrels.
The second course of Bharwan Amritsari Aloo and Amritsari Tawa Machili with Amritsari Kulcha was served Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz 2008, a fruity, slightly savoury style wine produced with grapes grown at Langhorne Creek where the soil is loamy. The wine has soft tannins and an oak flavour having been matured in new French oak barrels.
The last course of Bharwan Mirch Roganjosh and Kashmiri Nalli Gosht Roganjosh with Pulao was paired with Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet 2007, a fruity, full flavoured wine that blended the spiciness of Shiraz (75%) with the slight sweetness of Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), and a hint of oak from new oak barrels. The meal was wrapped up with crepes filled with Gajar ka Kalwa and small Gulab Jamuns encircled with Rabdi!
"Wine was earlier regarded as mysterious, which held the industry back. It has been simplified in recent years. The approach now is that if you like it, you drink it. It is your personal choice," said Martin.
Indeed, the full, fruity wines with finesse and mild tannins paired with familiar Indian dishes were greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
Glaetzer and Heartland Wines are being imported in India through Berkmann Wine Cellars India Pvt. Ltd. Ph: (022) 26191366.
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.The evening commenced by the poolside, against a skyscape of fireworks and interesting sambuca martinis with a range of hors d'oeuvres. We then moved into Bene for dinner, which included five courses of prettily plated delicacies including poached asparagus, and roasted lamb shanks with polenta and herbs. The wines included the white blend, Villa Antinori Bianco, the accessible red blend, Santa Cristina, moving up to the popular Chianti Classico Peppoli and finally the dense, very complex Prunetto Barolo, from Antinori's Piedmont holdings.
Members listened with interest as Guido narrated the story of Piero Antinori and his contribution to modern Italian wines and the conception of his famous Super-Tuscan Tignanello.
As the evening unfolded, everyone present was in total agreement that this Italian style celebration, a far cry from the usual mithai and cards, made for a most memorable Diwali.
]]>By the mid-70s, the Sensi family had enough production to distribute all over the country, and since 1998, has been under the guidance of winemaker and oenologist Lorenzo Landi. As we cut to the present in Mumbai's Four Seasons Hotel, Massimo Sensi discusses the premium range that will be available in India - the Sensi Collezione label.
Working with Gusto Imports ("They're not the biggest, but it doesn't matter. They understand wine," says Massimo), it helps that Sensi is one of the largest producers of Chianti in the world. In fact, 70% of their production is exported overseas. A basic tasting was conducted to understand the philosophy of their wines.
First up was the Pinot Grigio IGT Veneto. A bright yellow colour with floral and honey notes, it was light on the palate and is said to pair perfectly with seafood and light pasta. The next, Montepulciano D'Abruzzo DOC, a shade of deep garnet-red, had more structure and body, with fruity notes of plum and cherry.
"Its masculine character makes it a suitable companion for game meat and strong cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino," said Massimo. But it was the Chianti DOCG that had everyone satisfied - a smooth, well-balanced wine - it's a blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo with a minor percentage of Merlot and Cabernet.
"Enjoying good Italian wine is living the Italian way of life. The Prosecco is a trendy sparkling wine, while the Boscoselvo from Brunello Di Montalcino is already well known," says Massimo.
For now, Sensi is available in Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. In 2012, they plan to introduce more high-end wines like the Sabbiato from Bolgheri, which is known as the Tuscan 'Bordeaux', and grown in the same province as the famed Sassicaia. In fact, Massimo is impressed enough with the existing level of wine awareness in the country to introduce the powerful Sagrantino di Montefalco here some day.
With his focus shifted to the Delhi market (where Massimo will also catch up with friend and owner of Le Cirque, Sirio Maccioni), his message is clear: Sensi wines are for every kind of drinker - whether beginner or connoisseur.
Prices start from Rs 1,275. It is recommended to consume these wines within 12 months. For more details, visit www.gustoimports.com
Mumbai was lucky to witness a high profile Italian wine road show event at the Taj Lands End Hotel on the 24th of October 2011 organized by Gambero Rosso.
The Gambero Rosso's Roadshow featured an exclusive group of about 50 wine producers in Italy, each of them offering for the very first time in Asia a complete range of sparkling, red, white, rose' and dessert wines. All wine traders, importers, distributors and retailers, representatives from the restaurants, catering services and hotel industry, as well as media were invited to attend this complimentary event. It was a great opportunity to taste some of the best Italian wines like Barollos, Barbarescos, Chianti Classicos, Valpolicellas, Amarones and Sassicaias. What a treat to have prominent Italian producers like Gaja, Ruffino, Donnafugata, Elivio Cogno, Marchesi di Barolo, Bertani, Monte Schiavo etc under one roof.
The highlight of the day were the two seminars of 2 hours each where around 50 top most quality wines of the producers were tasted. The Gambero Rosso wine ratings in Vini d'Italia are built up on the number of glasses (bicchieri) awarded to a wine, which is indicated in the wine guide with a number of stylized glasses next to the wine's name. Almost all the wines tasted in the seminars that were from these categories.
These ratings are based upon blind tastings by independent experts. The highest rating is three glasses (Tre Bicchieri), and the wine guide only includes wines which are seen by the editors as "above average". Three glasses indicate "extraordinary wines". Two red glasses indicates a wine which was selected as a candidate for three glasses (which far from all wines with two glasses are), but did not make it all the way. Two glasses indicate "very good wines". One glass indicates "good wines".
The seminar tastings were led by Marco Sabellico, the very well spoken Senior Editor of Gambero Rosso, along with Subhash Arora, President of Indian Wine Academy. Marco guided the tasting by covering all the wine growing regions of Italy. Interesting and quaint snippets about the producers and regions interspersed the tastings.
Starting from Veneto the tasters were taken on an imaginary wine tour through Lombardia, Trentino, Liguria, Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piemonte, Toscana, Sicily, Marche, Sardinia, Abruzzo, Emilia Romagna, Molise, Lazio, Umbria, Campania and Puglia.
The very efficient Airene and her team from Felicitas Global Pte Ltd, Singapore, managed and coordinated the event very well. This was probably one of the finest wine tasting events witnessed in Mumbai in a long time. It's a pity that the footfalls were not as much as the participating wineries had expected.
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Wine Magazine wishes all its readers, subscribers, contributors and advertisers a Sparkling Diwali! May the Festival of Lights brighten your way with good fortune, good health and good wine.
ITC Maurya's Dum Pukht restaurant in New Delhi was the venue chosen by SI editor, Reva K. Singh for a Sommelier India Wine Dinner on Wednesday, November 19th to pair Austrian wine with Indian food. Dum Pukht is a speciality Indian restaurant known for its traditional cuisine. This was no ordinary dinner, however. It stretched over 12 courses, each paired with two different wines, writes Gaurav Anand who was present.]]>
In India's burgeoning market for imported wine, Austria is one country that is still on the periphery. Only a few Indian importers carry Austrian wines in their portfolios and Austrian wines are rarely, if ever, seen on hotel and restaurant wine lists. Nevertheless, the press that Austrian wine has managed to garner in India (including in this magazine) is a testament to the wines' ability to make an impression.
This comes as no surprise because Austria makes some of the finest white wines in the world, especially from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. It has interesting red wines too, from native varieties such as Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt, as well as international varieties like Merlot. How do Austrian wines pair with Indian food? The dinner at Dum Pukht put the wines to the test.
The select group of 12 guests at the dinner comprised wine and food journalists as well as the Austrian Ambassador to India, Dr Ferdinand Maultasch, Mrs Maultasch, the Austrian Trade Commissioner, Mr Hans Hoertnagl and the General Manager of ITC Maurya, Mr Anand Rao. While opinions on each pairing were mixed, the consensus was clear - Austrian wines are an excellent match for Indian food. Pictured: Ambassador Ferdinand Maultasch and General Manager Anand Rao
This was not a surprise because these wines are well known for being versatile and will match a number of cuisines. Apart from their expected acidity, what helped these wines hold their own with Indian food, was their weight. Several whites came in at between 12.5% and 13.5% abv while some of the reds clocked in at over 14.5% and even 15% abv. None of the wines were overblown. They had delicacy and minerality and were not light, by and large, but had enough body to stand up to the food.
The dinner itself was unique in its length - 12 courses were paired with 24 wines. This does not include the two aperitif wines before the meal! The ITC Hotel Beverage Manager for Wines, Niladri Dhar, oversaw the wine service, stepping in periodically to comment on the food, the wines and the pairings.
Dum Pukht specializes in the cuisine of the nawabs of Awadh and Chef Ghulam Qureshi, a descendant of the court cooks of Lucknow made an appearance towards the end of the meal. While the food was very good for the most part, the Kakori Kabab I thought was particularly excellent. Left: Vir Sanghvi and Reva Singh. Standing: Chef Qureshi, Arun and Niladri Dhar
The wines, which were courtesy the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, represented the main regions of Austria, covering the best known appellations. The whites included wines from Grüner Veltliner, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Several styles were represented including some outstanding Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) dessert wines. The reds included blends and single-varietal wines from Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Grüner Veltliner with its full, balanced body and its power and finesse, is perhaps the most universal of food wines, but some of Austria's regional white wines also fared well. Not to be left behind, Austrian red wines demonstrated how they, in turn, can enhance an Indian menu when the dishes demand more fruit and light tannins.
As more Austrian wines begin to appear on Indian wine lists, there will be much to rejoice about, especially with ITC chefs more than equal to the occasion to pair the wines with fabulous Indian food, if this dinner is anything to go by.
For more specific pairing suggestions, write to us for a free copy of the Austrian Wine and Indian Cuisine booklet.
]]>"The impact of the Asian market has been instrumental to our success," said CEO Paul Hart. "We want to reinforce our commitment to our Asian buyers by delivering the highest level of service possible, free of charge."
Consolidated shipments will be available during both the autumn and spring seasons.
Retail wines are ready to purchase immediately, and bids are now being accepted for the big October 29 auction, featuring the wines of Lafite-Rothschild, Pétrus, and Domaine de la Romanée Conti, among many others.
"We sell wines from the greatest collections in the US," said Gabe Suk, Director, Asia-Pacific. "This initiative will make it easier and less costly for our friends in Asia to buy and enjoy these great wines."
Contact:
Hart Davis Hart Wine Co
363 W Erie St., Suite 500W, Chicago, IL 60654
p: 312.482.9996 • f: 312.335.9096 • www.hdhwine.com
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Every year, Veuve Clicquot honours women from around the world for their achievements in business. This year for the first time an Indian woman was chosen. Indian author and journalist, Shobhaa De was honoured by Veuve Clicquot for 'her remarkable accomplishments in writing and her contributions to India's cultural landscape'. Pictured above is Shobhaa De with Stephane Baschiera, President of Veuve Clicquot & Sabina Belli, General Manager. Click the photograph to enlarge.]]>
Stephane Baschiera, President of Veuve Clicquot, Sabina Belli, General Manager, and Stephane Gerschel, Director of International Communication, presented the award to De during a black tie gala dinner, held in Reims, France, earlier this month.
The award was created by Veuve Clicquot Champagne to commemorate Nicole Ponsardin: the woman who inherited the company which now bears her name. She married Francois Clicquot and became known as Veuve Clicquot (or widow in French) after his death.
In 1805, at the age of 27, she took over her husband's vineyards and from small beginnings created an internationally known company and a respected brand easily recognised today by its distinctive bright yellow label.
Madame Clicquot was a pioneering and astute business woman. Her perseverance and tenacity helped increase champagne exports and gained her a foothold in the royal courts of Europe, especially Imperial Russia, despite the trade blockade in Napoleon's time. Today, Veuve Clicquot exports more than 90% of its turnover in more than 150 countries and holds a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1987 the Veuve Clicquot company has been part of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group of luxury brands.
Operating in 16 countries around the world, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year award is now in its 39th year and commemorates Madame Clicquot's entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity to succeed in the business world. Each year tells the story of inspiring women who are high achievers in business life as an encouragement and motivation to younger women.
The last six months have been exceptionally strong for wine sales in Delhi as they grew by 41% year over year. 25,064 cases of wine were sold as against 17,722 in the same period the preceding year. Note, a case of wine contains 12 750ml bottles. Delhi wallas have 64 different wine brands to choose from at the 450 restaurants, 350 government controlled liquor shops and 89 private shops where wine is available for sale.]]>
Also, during September 5,274 wine cases were sold as against 4,763 last September. And in October between the 1st and the 13th 2,396 cases were sold versus 1,028 the preceding year according to Excise Department data. All in all, very positive signs that more and more people are taking to wine. Do you find yourself drinking more wine every month? Are you trying new labels? Finding new occasions at which to drink wine?
The significant climb in wine consumption is all the more interesting given that there hasn't been a significant change in the pricing structure or the promotion of wines year over year. Instead what's happening is that wine seems to be simply catching on at quickening pace.
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The October/November issue of Sommelier India is being mailed out to subscribers as we speak. This issue clocks in at 78 pages as a food and wine special. Brinda Gill interviews Camellia Punjabi of Taj Hotels, Sommelier Lindsay Groves offers guidelines for food and wine pairings while Raghu Bahadur comments on pairing wine with Indian food. Also, don't miss Soni Sangwan's chat with Executive Chef Manisha Bhasin of the ITC Maurya as she comes away with some valuable insights. Restaurants reviewed include Graze (Bangalore), Dum Pukht (New Delhi), Sen5es (Pune) and Le Cirque (New Delhi).
Also in the pipeline is a booklet on Austrian wine paired with Indian cuisine. Pick up the latest issue at Nature's Basket and Landmark stores for these stories and lots more (including a deep analysis of what's wrong with the Indian wine industry). Or better still subscribe to Sommelier India to receive the issue at your doorstep and pay less. View the Table of Contents here.
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