The Indian wine industry seems to have been getting a lot of press recently. First appeared a cover story in Lounge, the Sunday magazine of Delhi's Mint, then there was an article in the Toronto Globe and Mail, and finally, the Financial Times of London published a report on Sunday which we have already shared with you. Here are the other two stories.

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.

Wine in India has gained tremendous popularity in the last few years. People are writing about it, finding out more about it, understanding the many varietals wine has, and are discovering more and more ways of enjoying this beverage, writes Shreya Chauhan. Left: Chef Saby puts the finishing touches on a dish to be served with wine

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

Indian Wines to see you through 2012
If I was asked to select one wine from India's top producers, I would choose a Viognier from Grover, one of the earliest producers of this varietal, Chenin Blanc from newcomer, Fratelli, because it's dry, and Sauvignon Blanc from Sula for its fragrant nose and consistency.

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

"Sales of Burgundy have been on the rise for several years in Asia," Louis-Fabrice Latour, Chairman of the Union of Burgundy Wine Markets (FNEB) told Marisa D'Vari from Sommelier India after a press conference given by the BIVB before the 151st Hospices de Beaune auction.

The last six months have been exceptionally strong for wine sales in Delhi as they grew by 41% year over year. 25,064 cases of wine were sold as against 17,722 in the same period the preceding year. Note, a case of wine contains 12 750ml bottles. Delhi wallas have 64 different wine brands to choose from at the 450 restaurants, 350 government controlled liquor shops and 89 private shops where wine is available for sale.

Fratelli Wines launched their second vintage over a relaxed evening of food, wine and conversation at the Hyatt Regency Pune on 4th October 2011, writes Brinda Gill. Having entered the market with Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon last winter, Fratelli introduced their new Classic White, Classic Red and Chardonnay, developed as fresh, approachable and reasonably priced wines.

September 9, 2011: Obtaining the WSET Level 3 Advanced Wines and Spirits Certificate is no easy task, which is why ITC Hotels has put in place an intensive programme in order to ensure that the cream of their F&B service professionals, drawn from across their luxury hotels are fully prepared for this day. Left: Charles Crawfurd, MW, conducting a WSET class

While Swiss wines are little known in the world, it's now an open secret that India produces wine. Indian cuisine is well-known in Switzerland and highly regarded. The only Michelin star ethnic restaurant in all of continental Europe is Rasoi by Vineet in Geneva (See Sommelier India May- June 2010). But Indian wines are catching up too.

Indian wine pioneer, Kanwal Grover passed away after a short illness on 28 July 2011. He was 85 knocking on 86. Sommelier India is saddened at the passing away of a great stalwart of the Indian wine industry. Pay tribute to Kanwal Grover by sharing your favorite memories of him in the comments section of this post. Pictured above is Kanwal Grover with his son Kapil Grover on the left and granddaughter, Karishma Grover on the right.

The reconstituted Indian Grape Processing Board or IGPB held its first meeting in Pune on 23 July 2011 under the chairmanship of Vijay K Rekhi.

An official release from the Government of India at the end of June announced new members to The Indian Grape Processing Board (Ministry of Food Processing Industries) for a term of up to 26 February 2012. The Board was originally constituted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on 27 February 2009. The members are:

Subhash Arora, President of the Indian Wine Academy was honoured recently with the "OlV Merit" award by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), Paris, at its 34th World Conference held in Porto, Portugal. The presentation took place at the 9th General Assembly of the OIV and the 34th World Conference on Vine and Wine in Porto, Portugal on Friday 24 June, 2011.

The question of high taxes and import duties on wine is a vexed one. The labyrinthine ways of the Indian excise department are a mystery to most people, not least for wine and spirits importers who are closely affected. Ultimately, it is the hapless consumer who suffers the most. Sommelier India Wine magazine keeps the issue alive with regular comments and reports. Isheeta Gupta brings us some salient facts.