Sydney one weekend, Neustadt, Germany the next. And it seems the rain has followed me from Sydney, via Delhi to Neustadt. It has not, however, put a dampener on the tenth anniversary of MundusVini, among the largest wine competitions in the world, writes Sommelier India correspondent, Harshal Shah.

The momentum is picking up for IFDE 2010 which is scheduled to take place at the end of this year in Delhi with another leading international Government Body confirming their support. Austrade, the Australian Government's trade and investment development agency have announced their commitment to the show and the official endorsement of the Australian Pavilion.

The 3rd International Congress of Chinese Cuisine & Wine will take place in Hong Kong, a foodie paradise and now also an international centre for wine in Asia.
Left: Ming Court at the Langham Place, Hong Kong, which will cater the ICCCW Farewell Dinner

Sydney has certainly changed, even in the 12 months since I last visited. What is really exciting is that there is a host of wine bar-like venues that are quickly making this beautiful city an exciting venue for wine-lovers, a mantle previously (and in some cases still) held by Melbourne, reports peripatetic SI correspondent, Harshal Shah from Australia. Pictured: The wine list at Bentley Restaurant and Bar

Austrian Pinot Noirs showed their impressive top class status at an international blind tasting held in Singapore on August 4th. The tasting, which was organised by Michael Thurner, the former general manager of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, comprised a total of 34 international wines from the vintages 2001-2008. Pictured: Bottles of Austrian Pinot Noir

The aftermath of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has brought definite benefits for the wine industry in South Africa. As Su Birch, CEO, Wines of South Africa (WOSA), noted, "For the most part there has been a marked increase in sales volumes amongst those countries with a high level of interest in soccer."

The first ever tasting of Bordeaux Blends from the Gimblett Gravels region of New Zealand took place recently in Bordeaux. Hosted jointly by Henri Lurton, Proprietor of Château Brane-Cantenac, Steve Smith MW of Craggy Range Winery and CH'NG Poh Tiong, Publisher of Chinese Bordeaux Guide and The Wine Review, on 28 June 2010, the walk-around tasting followed by a buffet lunch in the cellar of this fine Margaux Second Growth château was a historic confluence of the fine wines of New Zealand in Bordeaux, writes Reva K. Singh. Pictured above: Steve Smith and Henri Lurton

The Masters of Wine remain the most elite professionals within the world of wine, with currently only 280 MWs scattered around 23 different countries none of whom are India based. But with applications opening this week, maybe it is time to ask yourselves if you're ready for the challenge.

The leading lights of the wine world were gathered together at the lovely hamlet of Le Crestet in early June for a symposium to discuss the future of Grenache. The grape is the world's fourth most planted grape varietal, but is barely known to consumers, especially in new wine markets like India, writes Reva K. Singh. Organised by Nicole Folet of Domaine de la Verrière and Walter McKinlay of Domaine de Mourchon, the Grenache Symposium was led by international wine experts, Steven Spurrier and Michel Bettane.

The goal of the first ever Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc Concourse that took place in Bordeaux was to encourage the promotion of good quality wines from the Sauvignon vine and to familiarise the public its richness and diversity, according to the organizers, who are based in Belgium, writes Harshal Shah of Sommelier India who was a member of the international judging panel.

There is a tremendous need for wine education in India but how many strong wine education options do we have? The earliest formal programme was probably the KBR School of Wine which runs courses in association with The Wine and Spirits Trust of London. Hotels, wine clubs and societies around the country frequently run courses of their own, some of which are very good although limited. But now there's an international wine course option available in the heart of the Austrian wine region, which is head and shoulders above the rest, and for the first time the teaching medium is English.

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) increased the number of wine buyers visiting its biennial Vienna wine show for the first time by about 100, with a fair representation from new markets such as India. According to Willi Klinger, managing director of The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), the objective of VieVinum, which takes place every alternate year, is to expand trade.

The most important wine fair in Austria, Vievinum is a wine summit for wine lovers and gastronomes. And the buzz surrounding it is a clear reflection of the vibrant market for wine that Austria has become. As Austria's biggest wine festival, it provided the opportunity to taste 3000 wines from more than 500 winemakers. Reva Singh of Sommelier India WINE magazine reports from Vienna.

Vinexpo Asia recently concluded, it ran from the 25th of May to the 27th of May. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Wan Chai, the city with the highest per capita wine consumption in Asia - 3.5 liters of wine per person per year according to the International Wine and Spirits Report (IWSR), saw over 800 exhibitors from 32 countries and close to 9,500 wine professionals exchange notes over seminars and tastings. Rahoul Singh who was on location in Hong Kong at Vinexpo for Sommelier India WINE magazine reports.

If you're looking to grow your wine cellar there's probably no better time. Acker Merall & Condit, America's oldest fine wine merchant will be offering a single cellar sale on May 28th & 29th. With an estimated value of US$16 million, it will be the largest wine auction ever conducted in Asia and the third largest in the world. Indian wine lovers - don't miss out on this one.