Every economic crisis brings innovations as people test the limits of their imaginations to hold onto their businesses. The Italians get full marks on the creativity front (not surprisingly) with the floating of an idea that Italian banks should accept expensive wines as collateral on bank loans from crisis-hit producers. For this to work in India, the wines would need to be age worthy, expensive and with an obvious track record of appreciating in value. Shiv Singh reports.

Further testament that people are drinking more affordable, better value wines has come in the form of Neilson research data. Apparently, in the last one year sales of Washington State wines has grown at the pace of 9.1% compared to 4.7% for overall wine sales in terms of value.

In a strange turn of events, Starbucks is testing a new coffee shop concept that looks nothing like Starbucks. The iconic green logo is nowhere to be seen and the cookie cutter globalized feel of Starbucks that we're used doesn't exist. Instead you have a homely, warm, cozy coffee shop that doesn't just sell coffee but wine too! Now I wonder what Cafe Coffee Day or Barista think of that.

With the global economy just about recovering from the recession, Champagne sales are still down. LVMH whose portfolios includes the likes of Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot and Chateau d'Yquem, said that revenue had fallen by 17%. According to the Federation des Exportateurs de Vin et Spiritueux de France, exports of Champagne to India dropped by 70% so far this year. With these statistics, it begs the broader question is there room for more foreign labels? Shiv Singh reflects on the question.

For over 25 years, the Conseil des Grands Crus Classés en 1855 (Médoc & Sauternes) has organized a dinner honoring the international press on the first evening of Vinexpo-Bordeaux, the world's premier wine and spirits trade fair, said Sylvain Boivert - Directeur
CONSEIL des GRANDS CRUS CLASSES en 1855. This dinner is always held at a first growth, and this year the tradition continued as more than 300 people came together at Château Lafite-Rothschild on Sunday, June 21, 2009.

Chilean wine is not unfamiliar with partnerships and Almaviva is the product of one. Just over a decade ago, in 1997 Baroness Philppine de Rothschild and Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle of Concho y Toro formed a Franco - Chilean partnership. Prior to that the Baroness had sent Patrick Lyon to Chile in search of a suitable parcel of land to grow grapes in the French tradition. Last week Rahoul B Singh met export manager, Diego Goray who was visiting India as part of a whirlwind tour.

After two mandates and a complete reorganization of the group since his appointment in 1997, Dominique Chardon has stepped down as chairman of Sopexa. He is succeeded by Jean-Michel Lemetayer.

In his capacity as chairman, Chardon implemented several projects to improve the competitiveness of the company, paving the way for buying back the State's holding, which was around 20% of the capital.

I've just discovered a wonderful new application for my iPhone that helps me choose a wine match wherever I may be - shopping for wine before a dinner party or dining out at a restaurant. It's like having a personal sommelier at my beck and call!

Greetings from what is being heralded as 'The Signature Business Event' for the wine world. Bordeaux is teeming with visitors from all around the world. Over 41,000 square metres have been allocated to exhibitors representing 48 different countries. Harshal Shah reports.

You probably may know Hello Kitty as the Japanese fictional character around whom is a line of accessories that generates $1 billion in sales each year. From dolls, stickers and greeting cards to clothes, accessories, school supplies, dishes and home appliances, Hello Kitty is nearly everywhere (there's even an airplane with the character on it). And now that list includes wine too! Italian luxury good manufacturer has partnered with winemaker Tenimenti Castelrotto to market four wines featuring Hello Kitty in its packaging. The wines will be available in the US and European markets.

A Second Growth from Margaux, Brane has been regarded as one of the top Bordeaux estates for centuries, writes Reva K Singh. Known originally as Château de Gorce, after the family who founded it in the 18th century, this great wine estate was producing excellent wines from the Médoc region of Bordeaux long before the 1855 classification. On June 3rd an exclusive vertical tasting of Brane-Cantenac wines from 2000 to 2007 will be held at The Oberoi, New Delhi. Leading the tasting will be the Château owner, Mr Henri Lurton. The tasting is organized by Brindco and Sommelier India with support from The Oberoi Group.

According to French government statistics, households in France drank almost 10 percent less wine last year than in 2007. Exports by French vintners sank 15 percent by volume and almost 30 percent by value in the first quarter of 2009. "It's a phenomenon of the current economic situation, so we need to be prudent and not sound the alarm," said Xavier de Volontat, who heads an association of French vintners.

It's a match made in 'green' heaven, and one that will also please lovers of Bordeaux Saint Emilion wines. Two big names in the French wine world have collaborated to make a special Saint Emilion Grand Cru entirely from organic grapes and utilizing the latest 'gentle' winemaking techniques. Ruma Singh reports.

Most people cringe at the mention of plane food, with good reason. Luckily, if you're departing from the ultra modern Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow airport, we've got some good news, says Lindsay Groves . Celeb chef Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant under the rather unimaginative moniker, 'Plane Food' on the upper floor (post security).

Wine Park, this week organised a wine tasting of fine German Rieslings at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai. The young and ambitious Vishal Kadakia of Wine Park, a fast expanding distributor of well-ranked imported wines in India, invited Nikolaus (Nik) Weis, the owner of St.Urbans-Hof, a prestigious winery producing exemplary Rieslings, to present his wines in India, writes Sonal Holland. Right: Vishal Kadakia with Nik Weis.