“I was a single-malt guy and now I enjoy wines,” says Ranjit Dhuru, the brain behind the Chateau d’Ori winery at a wine dinner on 22 May 2008, at Deccan Rendezvous Hotel, Pune. Five wines from the Château d’Ori cellar were launched on the occasion.Brinda Gill reports.

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In a major setback to the US, a WTO panel today ruled that America has no case in its complaint that India has put excessive duties on import of wine and liquor. "The United States has failed to establish that the additional duty on alcoholic liquor is inconsistent with WTO rules," the panel ruled as reported by the Press Trust of India. The story was picked up by the Telegraph in Calcutta as well.

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I was privileged to be invited to attend the first International Congress of Chinese Cuisine and Wine in Beijing at the China World Hotel between the 23rd and 25th of May. The Congress was organised by Ch'ng Poh Tiong of Singapore to see how international wines pair with Chinese food. Pictured is CH'NG Poh Tiong with Thomas ROOCH one of the panelists at the ICCCW.

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Very special La Brancaia vertical tastings were held in Mumbai and Delhi recently led by owner and producer, Martin Kronenberg himself. Meticulously arranged at The Spice Route Restaurant, The Imperial, under the professional eye of resident sommelier, Stephane Soret, the Delhi tasting took place on May 21, 2008. Pictured to the right are importer Vishal Kadakia and Martin Kronenberg.

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Asia's largest wine expo starts on May 27th in Hong Kong. The Fifth Vinexpo Asia-Pacific brings together 692 exhibitors from 32 countries as well as 7,500 professional visitors from 18 Asian countries including India. Your Sommelier India team is on the ground in Hong Kong and will bring you highlights from the expo over the next week.

Joseph Pereira (pictured to the left) clinked a piece of cutlery on a wine glass, drew the attention of guests at the bar of La Dolce Vita, Pune, and indicated the Château Indage wine tasting evening of 9th May had begun! Head Sommelier Trainer (certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers), Joseph was on a flying visit to Pune to host a session of food and wine tasting.

The light and flavourful meal was elegantly served at La Dolce Vita, one of Pune’s most popular Italian restaurants, and the selection of wines was courtesy Chateau Indage. Read more...

Zinzi, find any reason”, read the invitation to the Zinzi Ball, a wine party at the recently launched Hotel Le Royce, Pune, on May16. To celebrate the launch of Zinzi, the new wine from United Breweries, guests were welcomed with white wine blended with vodka shots. The evening got underway with Zinzi red and white wines and refreshing Zintails – Zinzi wine cocktails – being served along with a variety of Indian snacks to pulsating party music.

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Don't miss the India International Wine Fair coming to Mumbai between 11th-13th December, 2008. The business to business fair will be held at the Grand Hyatt and will feature exhibitions, tastings and keynote speeches.

As always the Barole of Honour Wine Tasting was meticulously organised by Sanjay Menon, along with a detailed booklet describing the extraordinary wines supported by background information and maps of the region which was of great value. The presentation was clear, punctuated by interesting anecdotes and personal commentary. The audience, in turn, was informed and appreciative.

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On April 30, Mr. Aman Dhall, Executive Director, Brindco, hosted a Wine Dinner at The Grill Room, Villa Medici, The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi with some exceptional examples of Frescobaldi wine. Mr. Giuseppe Pariani, International Export Director of the Estates of Marchesi de Frescobaldi was present to introduce the wines.

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A few days ago, 50 members of The Wine Society experienced a delectable meal accompanied by Castel's 2006 vintage of their Bordeaux Merlot, a 100% Merlot, their Sauvignon Blanc and the surprise of the evening "Halana Merlot". This is a Moroccan Merlot from the Castel stable and was very interesting. It was a beautiful garnet colour with shades of deep purple.

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ND Wines was launched in Maharashtra recently. This marks the 13th state in India where they have a presence. As Manik Patil pointed out to the Indian Express, Maharashtra is a good state to launch a domestic wine as licenses are more easily available. Duties are also lower in the state. ND Wines will be selling its Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. These wines were launched in Delhi last November. ND Wines are produced under the direction of French wine maker Mr. Jean Manual Jacquinot.

A wine dinner was recently hosted by Seagram's at Royal Orchid Central, Pune, for members of the Pune Gourmet Club who were greatly impressed by their award-winning Indian wines. At the first India Wine Challenge, Seagram's Nine Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 was declared the finest Indian red wine, while the Nine Hills Shiraz won a Seal of Approval.

Pictured above from left to right, are Rukn Luthra – Asst. Vice President, Seagram's, Karen Anand, Gourmet Specialist, Jean-Manuel Jacquinot, Master Winemaker for Nine Hill and Saurabh Bhatnagar – Regional Sales Manager, Seagram's.

Sula Vineyards is celebrating its tenth harvest with SULAFEST, a day-long concert at the beautiful new open-air Greek-style amphitheater, set in the middle of Sula's own estate vineyards. For Sulafest 08-Emcee Kunal Vijaykar will entertain the crowds and introduce Raghu Dixit and his folk stylings from Bangalore, as well as Shaair n Func, the Saturday Nite Blues Band and other performances. Then DJ's will take over to bring SULAFEST to a pulsating climax.

Tickets are priced at Rs. 500 per person. For further information contact Ruth Dolla at +91 98675 61244 or ruthd@sulawines.com.

Just go to any restaurant at the Imperial and order a glass of 2002 Frank Phelan Saint-Estephe Medoc, the prestigious 2nd wine of Chateau Phelan-Segur poured from a MAGNUM. A magnum bottle is 1500 ml, the equivalent of two regular bottles of wine. It's large size makes it very impressive.

This is an exclusive concept for a wine by the glass programme and is in India for the first time. It is a common practice in Top Michelin Star restaurants in London and Paris and is now available for guests at the Imperial in Delhi. Rs 680 150 ml glass. Rs 1360 300 ml glass, only in Spice Route and the French Brasserie
— Stephane Soret, Head Sommelier, The Imperial, New Delhi

Master chefs from the world-renowned Il Palazzetto restaurant and Hassler Roma Hotel are here whipping up stylish confections and exquisitely creative and balanced interpretations of classic Italian cuisine to please the most fastidious palate. A fabulous five-course meal costs just Rs 3,100, inclusive of all applicable taxes. Head Chef Vincenzo Di Tuoro hails from Naples and is now a consultant with Hassler Roma Hotel and Le Palazzetto in Rome while his colleague Pastry Chef Giulia Steffanina is a native of Rome.

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