A new issue of Sommelier India Wine Magazine is out! July/August 2010 is another content rich edition covering a host of subjects to inform and entertain the reader. Along with our regular sections like On the Grapevine, Restaurants That Love Wine, Wine Basics, Partners in Wine and SI Tasting Panel Recommendations, we've added a new series called Ask Our Expert in which Dr Ariff Jamal will take questions on matters pertaining to wine. With his vast knowledge of wine and firsthand experience of life in India, Dr Jamal is particularly well-equipped to provide you with the best answers and clear your doubts. Write to us at info@sommelierindia.com and we'll pass the questions on to him. Finally, the current issue also includes the SIWC award-winning wines, the best wines to drink in India, listed by grape for easy selection. The magazine is available for sale via subscription and is stocked at high-end retail outlets across the country. Don't miss it.

The Wine Society recently took its much anticipated day-trip up to Nashik, to wander around a few of its finer vineyards, and learn more about the winemaking process. The four-hour journey to Nashik from Mumbai is best covered by train, being more reliable than the roads, which are prone to accidents, traffic jams and delays, writes Piyush Gadkari.
Above:The Wine Society of India team

Sommelier India Wine Magazine Co-Publisher based in New York, Shiv Singh, makes a career shift run digital marketing for PepsiCo NA Beverages. A consummate digital social media strategist and author of Social Media Marketing for Dummies, Shiv remains committed to the development of India's first magazine on wine. Read more about his move in Advertising Age and Adweek. In addition to co-publishing Sommelier India, Shiv had been an executive at Razorfish Inc., part of the Publicis Groupe.

If you miss your Indian wines with Indian food when travelling overseas, here's good news for you. One of India's premier wine producers, Grover Vineyards, has joined forces with Bibendum, UK's foremost wine company, to distribute their wines on an exclusive basis in the UK. Initially, three wines will be represented - Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet-Shiraz and the award-winning La Reserve.

Just in the mood for a cup of coffee? Or would you prefer a glass of wine as you chat with friends or talk business with colleagues? Now you can have either, or even both, at your friendly neighbourhood coffee bar, says Ruma Singh. Left: Sanjay Coutinho of Barista with Abhay Kewadkar of UB at the launch

The night of June 3 saw the seventh edition of Apèritif à la Française, a celebration of the French heritage of food and drink, lifestyle and culture. The theme for this year's festival was 'Celebrating Conoisseurship' and by the spread of quality cheese, chocolate, pastries and wines, it seemed that no expense had been spared to ensure that everyone who attended did indeed celebrate. Harshal Shah has the story.

Participation in the London International Wine Fair is a step forward for Indian wines. In a first ever joint foray overseas, eight Indian wine companies exhibited their wines at an 'India Pavilion' at the London International Wine Fair on 18 to 20 May. Alok Chandra is at his informative and insightful best. Pictured is Oz Clarke sampling Four Seasons wine at the India booth at the LIWF.

On 8 May 2010, the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB) organized a half-day national level conference to discuss the potential and challenges of the Indian wine industry. The conference brought together representatives from all segments of the industry. Sommelier India Wine Magazine was invited and participated. Reva K. Singh reports.

Arte della Tavola, they called it, and artistic it really was. Dharti Desai, Founder FineWinesnMore and Anil Chadha, general manager, ITC Windsor, Bangalore hosted wine connoisseurs in the city to an April evening of wonderful food paired with some of the best wines Tuscany has to offer, reports Ruma Singh. Left: Vir Sanghvi and Dharti Desai

We, in the wine industry as part of our daily rituals in prayer and salutation to the gods of excise and customs, say a word of thanks to the slowly developing core of wine drinkers who, along with our tireless attitudes and optimistic energies, help propel this industry forward to the dizzy heights we know it can achieve. Cleve Washington, both surprised and gratified, reports on the launch of the FWM Club in Lucknow.

Talk about shattering preconceptions about wine. "Steven Spurrier's take on the current wine scenario is that the French are drinking less wine, the Chinese can't get enough and that India is the next big market," writes Parvathi Nayar. The setting was the wine dinner held at the Sheraton Park, Chennai.

Right: Steven Spurrier with the Terroir Chronicle 2009

Here's another milestone for the Indian wine industry as it will soon become the first Asian country to join the Paris-based International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

Speaking at a press conference, Federico Castellucci, the director general of OIV, said the organisation was looking forward to welcoming India as a full member in a few months, notes Indo-Asian News Service (IANS). Pictured above are officials of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries with the President of the OIV.

Can it be possible for International Women's Day to go by without a splendid celebration by W3 - a wine club that proudly welcomes only women to be members, wherein events may be open to male partners and spouses. Sonal Holland, wine consultant and patron member of W3, highlights this special evening where women and only women gathered together for an evening soiree.

If you've been to a news stand lately, you may have noticed the new issue is out! As a subscriber you're probably holding a copy in your hands by now. Our March/April issue brings an array of features, news and service information for you to devour in its 74 packed pages. The lead feature is an exclusive interview with Georg Riedel, architect of the Riedel Revolution that has transformed the way we drink wine. He was in Mumbai a few weeks ago and we had a chance to meet and interview him. You can subscribe here and view the table of contents.

The fine dining Indian restaurant, Nawab Saheb, at the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel and Convention Center celebrated the month of love in a very unique manner with the Kamasutra Food Festival, writes Suneeta Sodhi Kanga. From 14th to 21st February, Chef Bhairav Singh, Master Indian Chef created the choicest, authentic Indian food preparations inspired by the ancient texts. Adding to the romance were heady wines from the Nandi hills. Right: Nawab Saheb restaurant