Champagne Louis de Sacy, a small grower among Champagne's big names, is proud of its well-priced, high-achieving range of niche cuvées. After exporting around the world, they are now looking towards India, says Ruma Singh

If you thought the best American wines came from California, you have another thought coming. Washington State Wine Commission representatives were recently in India to dispel any such notions that we might have harboured, writes Reva K.Singh. Seventy labels were introduced to the trade and wine journalists at a walk around wine tasting and buffet dinner on September 2011 at the Washington State's first-ever wine event in India.
Pictured: Al Portney, Group international vice president, Château Ste Michelle Wine Estate

Moët & Chandon has been known as the champagne of success and glamour since the House was founded in 1743. On September 5, 2011 it launched the House's 270th anniversary celebrations with a Gala Dinner billed "Le Dîner du Siècle" or the Dinner of the Century in Shanghai, writes Reva K. Singh who was a guest at this prestigious event. Pictured are Bollywood star Abhay Deol and Moët muse, Scarlett Johansson

A 300-bottle collection of Chateau Lafite Rothschild has sold for almost $540,000 in Hong Kong at a Christie's auction. This is a world record price for a single wine lot auctioned. The collection spanning 1981 to 2005 was knocked down for HK$4.2 million ($539,250) at Christie's two-day Autumn wine sale, which is expected to rake in over $5 million in sales, the auction giant said late Saturday.

Winemakers from Washington state are visiting India from 5 to 7 September to host tastings and winemaker dinners in Mumbai and Delhi, states a news report. Participating wineries include Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Claar Cellars, Columbia Winery, Hedges Family Estate, L'Ecole No 41 Winery, Powers Winery and Seven Hills Winery. Pictured: Château Ste. Michelle

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.

Loic Denneulin, Country Manager, Sopexa, leaves India after a successful three-year stint. A release from the Val d'Orbieu Group announces his appointment as Market Manager in the Group's Export department. Loic's mission will be to develop the Group activities in North & South America, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives. For the US market, Loic will team up with Victoire Girard based in New York City. Left: File photo of Loic

Vinexpo 2011, the world's largest wine and spirits expo held once every two years took place between 19th and 23rd June. Founded in 1981, the expo celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. With 2400 exhibitors from 47 countries the show brought together the most prominent wine and spirits professionals from around the world, attracting all the major players from more than 130 countries.
Pictured, left to right: Guido Westerwell, German foreign minister, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Agriculture and Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux on the first day of Vinexpo

On 29 June 2011, the Board of Directors of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux renewed the mandate of President Sylvie Cazes. Sylvie Cazes was first appointed on 26 June 2008 to head this association consisting of 133 wine châteaux from the most prestigious appellations in Bordeaux. Founded in 1973 and managed by Jean-Marc Guiraud, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux organises some 50 tastings annually in 15 countries.

The June/July edition of Sommelier India was released a few weeks ago and is in circulation. If you haven't received your copy, do let us know. This issue covers Winery Design and discusses Spain's modern temples to Bacchus. A special Sommelier India Riesling Masterclass is highlighted and biodynamic wine is demystified while the Royal Afghan, Bangalore and Two One Two Bar & Grill, Mumbai are reviewed. The issue also features columns by Jancis Robinson, CH'NG Poh Tiong, Raghu Bahadur and Steven Spurrier. Pick up the latest issue for these stories and lots more. You can also subscribe to Sommelier India and receive the issue at your doorstep as soon as it's out. View the Table of Contents here.

SI was at the Sixth Edition of Fenavin 2011, Spain's largest wine fair held every two years in Ciudad Real earlier in May. The fair which attracts winemakers from all the 69 wine producing regions of the country brings together not only buyers and producers from within Spain but numerous importers from across the world, from the Americas to East Asia.
Pictured, from left: Carolina Gimeno of Inquave with other members of the Indian delegation at Fenavin 2011

As part of its ongoing campaign to support and promote British produce, British Airways will be the first airline to serve an English sparkling wine. Balfour Brut Rosé 2007, from the Hush Heath Estate in Kent, will be part of an existing array of Champagnes served in First Class and in the BA lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 between July and September.

Suneeta Sodhi Kanga meets the brand ambassador and head sommelier of Torres and samples some of their wines that are on offer in India. A warm May evening at The Olive at Mahalaxmi, Mumbai was the perfect backdrop for a stimulating conversation with Anna Manchon.
(pictured, left)

Under the aegis of The Indian Grape Processing Board,Indian wines made a great showing at the London International Wine Fair for the second year in a row. Wine producers that exhibited at the Indian stand, which was strategically located near the Press Office were, in alphabetical order, Château D'Ori, Four Seasons Wines, Fratelli Wines, Good Earth Winery, Grover Vineyards, Indage Vintners, Mercury Winery (Aryaa), Nirvana Biosys (Luca), Surahi Wines, Vallée de Vin (Zampa), Vintage Wines (Reveilo) and York Winery.
Pictured: S.G. Chougule, Reva Singh and Dr. U.Venkateswarlu

We have been having fun expanding our wine palate over the last decade and recently got the chance to taste the 2010 vintage off-barrel in Bordeaux in the respective chateaux, writes Meenu Kohli, Director, Taste, for Winetage Investment Fund. Her advice for those interested in investing in wine is, go by the taste, as dictated by your own palate.