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

"As we are five cousins, of the third generation of the Dal Cero family, involved with wine production at our family winery, we are sure about the quality of our wines", said Francesca Dal Cero, Export Manager, Dal Cero F.lli Società Agricola, at an informal and enjoyable wine tasting evening on 4th March 2010 at Taj Blue Diamond, Pune, writes Brinda Gill.
Right: Nico Dal Cero, Sneha Chavan (Kiara Wines), Sandip Mukherjee (General Manager, Taj Blue Diamond Hotel), Francesca Dal Cero, Ravish Ahuja (Kiara Wines), and Shonal and Sajjid Chinoy.

So here we all were. Gathered by the pool at "The Club", that veritable private oasis in the midst of the cacophony of sight and sound of downtown Andheri. The wine brains trust of Mumbai town, were gathered on this particular Sunday in celebration of what else but Vino, Wein Vin..Wine!! What other reason is there to get out of bed on a Sunday?? A visitor's report.

In 1997, an unassuming young viticulturalist and winemaker, Andrew Nugent, chanced his arm in the emerging wine region of the Adelaide Hills and planted vineyards and an olive grove on 100 acres in Woodside, Australia. Andrew dreamed of becoming a wine maker since his school days. Today "Bird in Hand" is the largest privately owned Wine group of Australia and has innumerable awards to its credit.
Right: Sumedh Singh Mandla, Jackie Mattai, Suneeta Sodhi Kanga and Justine Nugent

Sixteen of the Wine Society's luckiest members had the privilege of dining with Bernadette Thienpont - the maker of our Bordeaux Private Label - this past week at Valhalla Restaurant, Churchgate (Mumbai), writes Piyush Gadkari. The Wine Circle dinner - hosted by WSI Wine buyer and educator Myles Mayall - kicked off with some delicious Piper Heidsieck Champagne, a welcome drink for arriving members. Left: Bernadette Thienpont

Interesting conversation and commendable Australian wines come together at The Tasting Room in Mumbai on 11 February 2010. De Bortoli Wines from the Yarra Valley, in the country since four years now, organized the tasting in collaboration with FineWinesnMore. Vivacious Nikki Palun, Marketing & Trade Manager for Asia Pacific from De Bortoli Wines tells Naina Hiranandani what makes her wines so special.
Pictured left: Senior VP FineWinesnMore, Craig Wedge, CEO FineWinesnMore, Dharti Desai and Nikki Palun

Another year and another harvest season for most wine producers in India with one exception. 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of Sula Vineyards and its putting on a special Sulafest 2010 celebration on February 20th, 2010 in Nasik, Maharasthra. Don't miss it!