Bohemian Crystal Company (BCC) launched Schott Zweisel, through an innovative event "The Masala Wine Journey, a two city extravaganza that was co-sponsored by Schott ,Taj and Procurio (BCC as known in Dubai) along with wine producers viz: Buergerspital of Germany; Castello Banfi of Italy; Marques de Murrietta of Spain; Baron Phillipe and Laurent Perrier Champagne of France).

Read more...

Don't miss the 5th edition of IFOWS (Indian Food and Wine Show) which runs between January 18th and 20th, 2007 at Uppal Orchids in Delhi. It is not just an exhibition of products but a comprehensive show with wine tastings and more. This includes participation from wine producing countries such as Italy, France, South Africa, USA, Argentina, Spain and Portugal.

Read more...

This winter Indians celebrated with more local sparkling wine especially the local Sula Vineyards Brut and Champagne Indage Ltd.'s Ivy Brut which were both priced four times lower than the foreign brands Krug and Moet Chandon. In fact, Sula Brut had sales of about 3,000 cases in December which was nearly twice as many as the same month the previous year.

Vinitaly India will be held in Mumbai on January 15th at the ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Mumbai. In Delhi it will be held on the 17th and 18th of January at Hyatt Regency (17th) and then on the 18th at Mayfair Gardens adjacent to the Qutub Minar in partnership with IFOWS.

Vinitaly will include wine tastings and an exhibition space for importers, distributors and hoteliers. The presentation of the wines of the Veneto region will be done in collaboration with U.VI.VE (Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti D.O.C.) by an U.Vi.Ve expert. Read more...

The CII is organizing a "Mahawine" conference and exposition on grapes and wine between January 12th and 13th, 2007. The conference will be held at the Taj residency in Nashik.

Earlier this month, Sommelier India had the distinct pleasure of participating in a special wine tasting organized on the occassion of the visit of the Primum Familiae Vini (first families in wine) to India. They are the most prestigious association of great wine producers in the world. The event was organized by Sanjay Menon of Sansula.

Read more...

The three-day International Food and Wine Exhibition held at Delhi's Pragati Maidan was recently concluded. It attracted 70 international exhibitors frrom 14 countries covering all things food and wine. Manjit Gill, tbe corporate executive chef of the ITC, Maurya Sheraton inaugurated the show. Tell us what you thought of the show.

The Wine Park launched with a wine tasting on Sunday, December 3rd, 2006. Mr. Robert Joseph was the chief guest and the tasting was held in the Mezzo Mezzo at the JW Marriott. 6 different wines (3 whites and 3 reds) from 4 different regions (germany, spain, new zealand and australia) were paired with a 4 course italian cuisine by the chef of Mezzo Mezzo.

Robert Joseph is a British born wine writer. He launched the London International Wine Challenge, which grew to become the world's biggest wine competition. Photographs from the tasting can be viewed at Shutterfly.

Showcasing the finest of French wines, Sopexa- the French Marketing and Promotion Board for French Food & Beverages and the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi brought this season yet another spirited evening by officially lanching ‘Try More, French Wines….Now, by the glass’ at Longchamp on 15 November 2006.

Read more...

The “Settimana della lingua Italiana nel mondo” is organised every year by the Italian Cultural Institute. This year this festival concentrated on the gastronomy and culinary traditions in the Italian speaking countries of the world. Mr. Paolo Grandi is the President of the Carlo Cattaneo Society in Lugano gave a lecture on the food, culture and traditions in the Italian speaking parts of Switzerland (Ticino). He discussed the cuisene and the wines as well.

The third annual Shillong Wine Festival was held on November 11th highlighting different local wine. Just before this, the Autumn Festival took place. Ajay Kumar Gothwal of Champagne Indage sent us a report. "The sleeping town of Jowai, Meghalaya suddenly came alive with the scintillating, start to the Week long autumn festival that is held every year.

Read more...

The Economic Mission, Embassy of France and Sopexa the French food and beverage marketing firm, launched a new French wine promotion on November 15th, 2006. The promotion was launched at The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi.

Singapore’s leading international wine trade exhibition Wine For Asia 2006 just got over on 4 November 2006. Sommelier India was an official Wine for Asia partner. Malcom Tham of Wine Resources (centre) and S Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, pictured with Reva Singh, Editor and Publisher of Sommelier India on the opening day of Wine for Asia 2006, Singapore

The number of wineries participating this year has gone up from 100 in 2003 to 450 from more than 20 countries. The growth reflects not only the increase in the wine drinking habit in Asia but also the tremendous interest in the rest of the world in selling wine to this market. For the first time, there were wines from Korea, China, Mexico, Venezuela and Tunisia on display.

Read more...

Last evening saw about 60 members and guests of the Delhi Wine Club congregate at the pool side of Hyatt Regency Hotel for the start of a special evening comprising of Indian Cuisine matched with Top Chilean wines. H.E. Mr. Jorge Heine, the Chilean ambassador with his wife Norma were the chief guests.

Read more...

Wine Societies and Clubs are cropping up across India. The latest entrant is the Bombay Wine Club which held its first dinner recently. Congratulations! The venue for the dinner was Stella, the new Italian eatery at the Leela hotel, and each new member left their respective offices in all corners of the city exceptionally early in order to be on time for the dinner. Read the report on their first wine evening.

Read more...