De Bortoli Noble One Australian Botrytis Semillon is one of the world's best among sweet wines. In 1982 Darren De Bortoli, who had just graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College, Adelaide, created a path breaking Sauternes-style sweet wine at the family winery in Bilbul in New South Wales from botrytis grapes and called it, 'Noble One'.

Targetting wine enthusiasts and industry professionals, alike, Vinexpo, Asia-Pacific's International Wine and Spirits Exhibition, takes place in Hong Kong on May 25 to 27, 2010. Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is held every two years, with Hong Kong selected as the venue for the third consecutive time.
Left: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) along the the magnificent Victoria Harbour

I had first learnt about Yarra Valley when I was in hotel management school but I must confess that reading about it in college and actually being there are two incomparable experiences! writes Jyoti Balani
Left: The Chateau Yering Historic House which dates back to 1854 and is a heritage property

8 April 2010. Vinitaly 2010 has kicked off, although it will 'officially' be opened by the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, tomorrow. There is already a buzz in the air with a renewed optimism following last year's circumspection due to the global financial crisis, notes Harshal Shah Sommelier India WINE magazine's Delhi correspondent reporting from Verona.

If you are travelling through Europe in the next few weeks to attend the numerous wine events taking place such as Prowein, Toques & Clochers, Bordeaux En Primeurs or Vinitaly, take a day or two off to stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Munich, suggests Reva K. Singh. Munich is one of Europe's major music capitals, and the hotel is just steps away from the world-famous Bavarian State Opera House. Right: Mandarin Oriental, Munich, suite view

A select guest list of wine lovers in Bangalore enjoyed a Riesling treat recently with a tasting of nine wines from MO-RHE-NA Wine Exports from Germany, led by well-known winemaker Ulrich Langguth and his son, Patrick, writes Ruma Singh. Guests savoured every sip of a remarkable selection of wines from boutique German wineries. Pictured above, from left to right: Anna Minocher, Patrick Langguth, Ruma Singh, Ulrich Langguth and Rishad Minocher

Château Ste. Michelle Wine Estates dominates in the Pacific Northwest of the US and can be numbered among the big international liquor companies such as Constellation, Diageo, Pernod Ricard and others in its own distinctive way. Al Portney, Vice President, International Sales, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates was in India this January.

The members of Terrior One, Delhi Wine Club - Mumbai chapter, were floored by a visit from the king of wine-making from Spain at the JW Marriot Hotel, Juhu. Suneeta Sodhi Kanga from Sommelier India WINE magazine was a special invitee.
Right: Miguel Torres with Suneeta Kanga

VDP or Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, the German association of premium wine producers, saw an expansion of its membership with the start of the New Year. The VDP membership has increased to 196 with three new members.

Parent company Constellation Brands Inc. reported Monday, January 4, the passing away of Jose Fernandez, CEO of Constellation Wines North America. Fernandez was 54 years old and suffering from brain cancer. He died on New Year's Day.

In the midst of a heavy year-end work schedule and the exhausting social whirl that Delhi is at this time of the year, one afternoon stands apart. The tutored tasting of German wines hosted at his residence by the German Ambassador to India, Mr Thomas Matussek, in early December. By Reva K.Singh

Everyone knows of Verona as the home of Romeo and Juliet; the next time you read the bard, remember Verona is also home to some of the finest Valpolicella wines, says Suneeta Sodhi Kanga. Valpolicella, the "Pearl of Verona" or "The Valley of Cellars", is a hilly agricultural and marble-quarrying region famous for wine production. From Roman times, its hillsides have been known for the production of excellent wine.

While the world's attention is focused on Copenhagen and the climate change conference there, in a quiet corner of Bordeaux, France, steps are being taken to help winemakers around the world to 'go green', writes Ruma Singh. Right: Bordeaux-based wine consultant Olivier Dauga believes that the French can lead the wine world from the front

Wine Park, an importer and marketer of premium wines in India recently organised a series of wine events at the Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate Truffles week and the unique pairing of their wines with truffle-laden gourmet dishes. Sonal Holland had the pleasure of attending a rather interesting wine-tasting evening tutored by Paulo Bianchi of Agricola Querciabella, a family owned winery in Tuscany.

Champagne continues to make the news. The International Wine & Spirits Records (IWSR) for November 2009 mentions that Rémy Cointreau's Champagne brand Piper Heidseick (soon available legally in India) in conjunction with luxury shoe-maker Christian Louboutin plans to launch an intriguing Champagne concept, writes Harshal Shah of Sommelier India