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

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.

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

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.

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 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.
Pictured above: Reva K. Singh presenting Chintamani Rao a Gift Subscription to Sommelier India

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

Bill Hardy, Chief Winemaker & International Brand Ambassador, Hardys Wines, Australia, on his first trip to India co hosted a wine dinner along with Rajeev Samant, the quintessential man- about- town, CEO & Founder, Sula Vineyards on the 28th Sept, 2011 at Pali Village Café, Bandra, Mumbai. Suneeta Sodhi Kanga tells us all

If you thought the best American wines came from California, you have another thought coming. Washington State Wine Commission representatives were recently in India to dispel any such notions that we might have harboured, writes Reva K.Singh. Seventy labels were introduced to the trade and wine journalists at a walk around wine tasting and buffet dinner on September 2011 at the Washington State's first-ever wine event in India.
Pictured: Al Portney, Group international vice president, Château Ste Michelle Wine Estate

Moët & Chandon has been known as the champagne of success and glamour since the House was founded in 1743. On September 5, 2011 it launched the House's 270th anniversary celebrations with a Gala Dinner billed "Le Dîner du Siècle" or the Dinner of the Century in Shanghai, writes Reva K. Singh who was a guest at this prestigious event. Pictured are Bollywood star Abhay Deol and Moët muse, Scarlett Johansson

Saturday has always been my favourite day of the week because it means lots of wine and not having to get up early the next day. As I drove to the evening's event, I knew this Saturday was definitely more special than others for obvious reasons - a wine dinner at my favourite restaurant in Delhi - Diva. When they told me the dinner was featuring wines from Feudo di San Gregorio, knowing the reputation of their wines, I was even more eager to get there, writes Isheeta Gupta. Left: Ritu Dalmia in her kitchen