In a recent article for The Economic Times, Vikram Doctor discussed the Cork versus Screwcap issue. This is a subject we've already covered in the Sommelier India magazine as well. For the world of wine, it is an important question and a controversial one too. However, the more I read about the issue, the more I wonder how much it really matters to Indian wine drinkers.

Did you know that there is a glut of Merlot grapes in California? And not suprisingly, thanks to the success of the movie Sideways there is a shortage of Pinot Noir. But does this mean anything beyond the obvious which is that Pinot Noir wines will get more expensive while Merlot wines will be cheaper?

It certainly does. The next time you buy a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine, it will probably have a lot more Merlot in it than you realize. The truth is that for a Californian winemaker to label a wine a specific varietal, only 75% of that wine must be of that varietal. So for example, a Robert Mondavi wine only needs 75% of it to be from Cabernet Sauvignon for it to be called a Cab. The rest can be any other grape like Merlot. In years when there is an excess of a specific grape, it is used for the remainder 25%.

That's what's happening with Merlot this year. So expect to drink a lot more Merlot without really realizing it. Most winemakers follow this practice within certain boundaries as they're worried about seriously compromising the quality of their wines. The winemakers have businesses to run and like every other business try to use supply and demand to their advantage.

Now you don't need to visit the Sommelier India blog to know what's happening in the world of wine. Simply submit your email address using the form in the top right hand corner of this page (below the join the list box for the monthly updates) and you'll receive emails with Sommelier India blog headlines each time the blog is updated.

The blog is updated several times a week and includes news, commentary and events from India and around the world. Remember, you can always comment on any news item published to the blog. The blog is a supplement to our print publication which carries feature length stories by Indian and international wine journalists.

E & J Gallo is the second largest wine company in the world behind Constellation Brands. Gallo is a winery in Modesto, California that operated from its beginning under the assumption that consumers wanted affordable wines with easy-to-remember names and were consistent from year to year.

Some of their wine labels in addition to the Gallo label include Andre, Gossamer Bay, Turning Leaf, Redwood Creek. Livingston Cellars, Peter Vella and Carlo Rossi. E & J also has other labels specifically for the hotel and restaurant markets only.

Have you ever wondered who imports E&J Gallo wines into India? It is Lalit Khaitan of the Radico group. Learn more about him and his business in this Hindu Businessline article.

In a column for Business Standard, Sommelier India contributor Alok Chandra discusses what it takes to enter the wine business in India. He emphasizes that liquor is a state subject in India so when distributing and marketing wine, it is akin to operating in 34 different countries. He encourages the state governments to relax their restrictive wine laws.

Alok explains that the Indian wine industry has come a full circle with Vijay Mallya's purchase of the French wine company Bouvet-Ladubay. Apparently, Vittal Mallya was one of India's first wine makers when he teamed up with Dr. Rossi and Sharad Pawar to set up a winery in Baramati in the 1970s.

In a recent article for Business Standard, Kishore Singh discusses gift memberships to wine clubs and whether they are worth it. If gift memberships don't seem like a good idea, definitely consider gift subscriptions to Sommelier India! They will serve as a gentler introduction to the world of wine and your friends will think of you each time they get a copy of Sommelier India in the mail. We will also send your friends a card on your behalf announcing your thoughtful gift.

Sommelier India contributor Alok Chandra nicely frames the maturity of India's wine industry in an article for Business Standard. He explains the first wave of winemakers were the pioneers Indage (1986), Grover (1992) and Sula (1999) who were passionate and driven.

The second wave was started in Maharashtra in 2001 when the state liberalized wine-making, making it easier to obtain winery licenses resulting in the creation of vineyards like Vinsura, Flamingo, Renaissance, Sailo, ND, Mark Anthony and Mohini.

And finally, the third wave in his opinion is just getting under way. This wave is marked by the entry of major companies or professionals that are well funded and know the Indian spirits market well. All in all, it is well understood that the Indian wine market is in an explosive phase. We're just waiting for Indian retail to catch up now.

Have you ever considered making wine in your own kitchen? With wine still being so expensive, it maybe something to consider! Wine hobbyists in Lucknow have been making wine in their kitchens for a while now. And family recipes and experimentation has kept the tradition strong. While these drinkers lament that they may not have the best grapes available to them, it does not stop their enthusiasm from bubbling and their wine from fermenting.

To learn more about the Lucknow local wine makers, read Anisha Sharma's article for the Times of India titled, "Winsome wine: They're brewing it in kitchens!" And if you want to try making your own wine, Winemaker Magazine can help you get started.

Did you know that Chateau D'Yquem is considered a Premier Cru Supérieur or a "Great First Growth." This means that it is grander than any of the other first growth vineyards which include Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux Haut-Brion and Mouton Rothschild.

Wondering what the reason is? In the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was the only Sauternes wine given this rating as historically it cost 50% more than other Sauternes wines. In contrast, the first growth Medoc and Graves wines cost only 10$ more than the wines classified as second growth in those locations.

Château d'Yquem is also purportedly the only house which ensures that the wines are made from individually picked grapes, ostensibly to ensure that quality is the finest possible. This means that each vine, on average, can only produce a single glass of wine.

Sommelier India was highlighted in the Limca Book of Records as India's first wine publication. The book celebrates over 10,000 remarkable achievements of Indians around the world. It is in its 17th edition. Readers thank you for your support. We wouldn't have made it into the book without your help.

The text of the entry states, " Sommelier India, edited by Reva Singh, is the only wine publication on wine. While it does highlight Indian wines, international wine destinations and unknown facts fill the pages. So if you cannot tell your Bubbly Chardonnay Semillon from your Chianti Peppoli Antinori and want to change that, this is the publication to subscribe to! A bi-monthly, Sommelier India fills an important niche judging by the expanding subscriber base."

Over at the Hindustan Times, Vir Sanghvi worries that wine will not do much for India's image in the world. Market researchers believe that the image of a country as a brand depends on intangibles such as the ability to make luxury goods like wine for the international markets. Sanghvi believes that instead of wine, IT and global outsourcing will play that role for India.

We disagree. IT and global outsourcing are certainly strong brand ambassadors there is no denying that. But IT and global outsourcing caters to just one attribute of India's brand. Wine too is an integral part of brand India and we are confidant that in the coming years, as Indian wine gains greater acclaim around the world, it will contribute significantly to India’s brand image.

In fact, Indian wine was served to attendees at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The government of India understood wine’s importance. Indian wine is now served in countries from Norway to the United States and France too. And Decanter Magazine named Grover’s La Reserve the best New World wine last year.

Just as wine has done much for countries like the United States in the 1970’s and more recently New Zealand and Chile, expect a lot more from Indian wine.