Sommelier India - India's only wine magazine http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/ en Copyright 2012 Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:52:15 +0530 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.23-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Vinous Pleasures on the Increase, Reva K Singh si_cover_vol7_2.jpgThe thought that occurs to me as I write this note is how crowded my social calendar has become with wine events. It must be the same for you and other wine enthusiasts, too. Best of all, major hotel chains have become more proactive and serious about their wine programmes and the increase in wine dinners, tastings and promotions is a reflection of this.

Continue reading the Editor's Note from the latest issue of Sommelier India and Subscribe to receive your copy. This issue at 84 pages is chockablock full with feature stories, news, tips and more on wine and the culture surrounding it. Some of the best wine writers from India and around the world are published in Sommelier India. The magazine is required reading for Indians around the world who enjoy the good life.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/vinous_pleasures_on_the_increa.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/vinous_pleasures_on_the_increa.html Commentary Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:52:15 +0530 Bordeaux 2011 En Primeur - a Winetage Perspective Jean Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages and Meenu Kohli.jpgEarlier this month, we got the chance to taste at least 150 wines of the 2011 vintage from the barrel on our pilgrimage to the major châteaux in Bordeaux. As I wrote last year, wine tasting is not about numbers/ scores/ stars or grades. It is important to widen your palate and experience different flavours, says Meenu Kohli of Maison Winetage reporting from Bordeaux for Sommelier India. The 2011 Bordeaux vintage is not in the same league as 2009 or even 2010 but it reminded us of the role Mother Nature plays to make wine and what made the 1982 and 2009 vintages so special.Left: Jean Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages with Meenu Kohli

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/bordeaux_2011_en_primeur_a_win.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/bordeaux_2011_en_primeur_a_win.html Features Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:20:49 +0530 Sula opens Mumbai's first wine bar VINOTECA_INTERIORS WEB WW 04-12 (36 of 40).jpgVinoteca by Sula is finally open for business. Conceptualised by Rajeev Samant of Sula vineyards, Vinoteca in Mumbai has been inspired by Spanish tavernas. Serving tapas and pintxos, this 50-seater bar in Worli has a versatile wine selection from both Sula and international producers at extremely affordable prices.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/sula_opens_indias_first_wine_b.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/sula_opens_indias_first_wine_b.html Eating Out Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:27:55 +0530 Zapping fat cells - Is red wine the answer? april 18-red_wine.jpgWhat will they think of next? According to a recent study conducted by Purdue University in Indiana, USA, red wine can help you stop piling on the calories by blocking the insulin that activates our fat cells. Wine seems to be the panacea for all ills! So don't put away that bottle of red wine just yet. Drink in moderation and who knows what health benefits may accrue! Currently being tested on animal obesity, the researchers claim that the magic

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/zapping_fat_cells_-_is_red_win.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/zapping_fat_cells_-_is_red_win.html Wine & Health Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:55:58 +0530 A Taste of Mezzaluna in Bangalore March-end saw the Bangalore Wine Club celebrating the flavours of Italy in an evening entitled, "A Taste of Mezzaluna", after the fine-dining restaurant at the newly opened Movenpick Hotel and Spa in Bangalore, writes Ruma Singh. As a special bonus, BWC members got the chance to re-visit some of their favourite wines from the portfolio of Mumbai-based wine importer, Wine Park.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/a_taste_of_mezzaluna_in_bangal.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/a_taste_of_mezzaluna_in_bangal.html Features Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:38:17 +0530 Baron Philippe de Rothschild Wine Dinner at Diva, Delhi IMAG0402.jpgBaron Philippe de Rothschild (BPDR) is perhaps the most important wine company in the most important wine region in the world - Bordeaux, writes SI contributor, Gaurav Anand. Not only do they own the first-growth Château Mouton Rothschild, they also own Bordeaux's best known branded wine - Mouton Cadet. In addition, they own two other Bordeaux classified-growth châteaux, d'Armailhac and Clerc Milon, and are joint venture partners in super-premium wines, Opus One (Napa) and Almaviva (Chile). The company also directly owns vineyards in Chile and produces wine under the Escudo Rojo brand name. Pictured, left to right: Hugues Lechanoine, Aman Dhall and Anthony Gourmel

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/baron_philippe_de_rothschild_w.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/baron_philippe_de_rothschild_w.html Events Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:57:52 +0530 The Origins of Wine, a Persian tale persian_wie.jpgThere are many different tales about the beginning of wine with one especially interesting tale involving the legendary Persian king, Jamshed and his harem. According to the legend the king banished one of his harem ladies from his kingdom, causing her to become despondent and wishing to commit suicide.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/the_origins_of_wine_a_persian.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/the_origins_of_wine_a_persian.html Features Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:49:47 +0530 Harvesting wine grapes in India P1100663.jpgDid you know that wine grapes produced in India are different from any other wine grapes in the world? Not better or worse, just different. That's because unlike elsewhere in the northern hemisphere our grapes are harvested in February-April (ie pre-summer) rather than in September-October (ie, pre-winter), writes SI correspondent, Alok Chandra, from Bangalore.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/harvesting_wine_grapes_in_indi.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/harvesting_wine_grapes_in_indi.html Features Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:01:17 +0530 An epicentre for wine education DSC_5790.JPGWith Indian hospitality at world class levels, there is no reason why the national wine quotient should not be comparable. Wi-Not's newly opened Institute of Wine and Beverages has ambitious plans to fill the gap, writes Gagan Sharma of Wi-Not Beverage Solutions.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/an_epicentre_for_wine_educatio.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/an_epicentre_for_wine_educatio.html Indian Wine News Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:28:17 +0530 Understanding Bordeaux En Primeur En primeur blog pix.JPGApril 1, 2012 An intense week of tasting Bordeaux 2011 kicks off tomorrow. The international press and wine trade will have descended on the region for the annual tasting of wines, en primeur, for which Bordeaux producers open up their homes and châteaux and offer the current vintage which is still maturing in barrels for wine journalists and buyers to assess.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/understanding_bordeaux_en_prim.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/04/understanding_bordeaux_en_prim.html Features Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:45:35 +0530 Magnificent Megu and Irresistible OTW RR-megusign.JPGA few weeks ago we were treated to a magnificent meal at Megu, the Japanese restaurant at Delhi's Leela Palace. The food was superb with the experience made all the finer by the setting and mannerly service. Another, but different style of restaurant that we visited more recently is the newly opened, "On the Waterfront" at Delhi's Aman Hotel on Lodhi Road.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/magnificent_megu_and_irresisti.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/magnificent_megu_and_irresisti.html Eating Out Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:18:20 +0530 Vallonnée Winemaker's Dinner at Bungalow 9, Mumbai Shailendra Pai at Bungalow 9.jpgVallonné Vineyards is an Indian boutique winery producing French-style wines in the Nashik Valley, using the finest wine-making techniques and state-of-the-art technology, writes Suneeta Sodhi Kanga. Co founders Shailendra Pai, MD and CEO and Prashant Thanawala, who oversees Production and Business Development, hosted a special dinner for their French winemaker Marie Barbé with a select few guests at Bungalow 9, Bandra, Mumbai, recently.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/french_for_undulating_landscap.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/french_for_undulating_landscap.html Eating Out Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:48:26 +0530 Indian wine with a French twist from Karnataka DSC03902.JPGStephane Derenoncourt, the maverick French winemaker who is being hailed in world winemaking circles as the New Age guru of viticulture is making his presence felt in Karnataka, India. SI Correspondent, Ruma Singh reports. Derenoncourt has been appointed winemaker of the newly-set up Alpine Winery, based near Mysore, which has now launched the first of his wines in the Bangalore market. Above: Stephane Derenoncourt with Raghavendra Gowda

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/indian_wine_from_karnataka_wit.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/indian_wine_from_karnataka_wit.html Events Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:01:15 +0530 Visiting - Pernod Ricard's Philip Deverell in India DSC04485.JPGPhilip Deverell - viticulturist for Pernod Ricard Premium Wine Brands which produces Nine Hills wine in India, was in Mumbai last week after spending an exhilarating week in the vineyards at Nashik. He was visiting to review the current growing season and inspect the vineyards prior to the harvest. Sommelier India correspondent, Sonal Holland caught up with him in Mumbai.

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/visiting_-_pernod_ricards_phil.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/03/visiting_-_pernod_ricards_phil.html Features Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:42:14 +0530 Guess who's coming for dinner? Pio Boffa! Pio Boffa & Chef, La Piazza-9.2.12.jpgIt was a flying visit for Pio Boffa, literally. He came only for one night and it was at the Hyatt Regency's Italian restaurant in Delhi that I met him, says Reva K. Singh. The last time we met was many years ago when his extraordinary wines were being imported by Sovereign Impex. They are now distributed by Prestige Wines. I was happy to be meeting Pio again and drinking with him the wines he makes with such passion along with an excellent meal prepared by Italian Michelin-star chef, Igor Macchia. (More on Igor in Issue 2).
Pictured: Chef Igor with Pio Boffa at La Piazza, Hyatt Regency, New Delhi

]]> http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/02/guess_whos_coming_for_dinner_p.html http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/02/guess_whos_coming_for_dinner_p.html Eating Out Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:40:16 +0530