Sommelier India - India's first and only wine maga

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Bordeaux En Primeur 2007. What will it be like?
2008-03-22 19:20:00
With the Bordeaux En Primeurs just round the corner, the wine world is wondering what the wine will be like this year. Some UK En Primeur merchants believe that the 2007 Bordeaux vintage will confound expectations. But with the difficult weather conditions during the harvest, nobody is really sure how the wines will taste. The 2006 vintage was contentious. 2005 was brilliant. What will 2007 be like? Pictured above is Château Margaux which is one of four wines to achieve First Growth status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification because of its high price. Château Margaux wine usually consists of approximately 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit verdot and Cabernet Franc grapes.

Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce launches Wine Course
2008-03-22 18:12:00
The Indo -Italian Chamber in collaboration with The Gourmet magazine is introducing India's first sommelier course targeted at students and professionals in the hospitality industry. The course will be held over three weeks - two of which will be in Mumbai and one in Italy. Upon completion of the course, students will receive an International Sommelier diploma. That's the certification handed out by the Federation of Italian Sommeliers and Restaurateurs and is recognized by the European Union. Topics covered will include wine-processing, organoleptic wine-tasting techniques and wine-serving. Each course will have a maximum of 30 students. Download the course brochure or contact Maneesha Pereira at the Indo-Italian Chamber for more information.
More About: Wine , Commerce

Champagne Indage buys South Australian Winery
2008-03-22 17:57:00
Champagne Indage Ltd (CIL) acquired Australian Vintage Loxton winery for $60 million (Rs. 2.4 billion) in an all cash transaction. The acquisition will increase the production capacity of CIL from 32 million litres (3.5 million cases) to 122 million litres (13.5 million cases) per year. Loxton is situated in Riverland, South Australia and is the fifth largest winery in the country. It has an annual crushing capacity of over 80,000 tons and an annual capacity of 90 million litres. It is also configured to handle smaller batches of more premium fruit, sourced predominantly from the Riverland vineyards.
More About: Champagne

Are wine competitions good for the Indian market? Poll Results
2008-03-22 04:26:00
Our last opinion poll asked whether wine competitions were good for India or not. 64% of the respondents believed that they were good and improved competition. 21% said maybe but only if the wine competitions were organized well. 7% weren't sure given how young the Indian wine market is and another 7% felt it was too early to judge Indian wines. These are interesting results in the context of the 2008 launch of the India Wine Challenge. Participate in our new poll - Which country's wines do you like the most? We want to hear from you. Take the Poll .
More About: Market , Results

Red Wine can reduce Hypertension in Older Women
2008-03-22 00:12:00
Research from Spain performed on rats shows that polyphenols found naturally in red wine may keep blood vessels healthy in older, hypertensive women. According to a study that was published in the April 2008 issue of the medical journal Hypertension , compounds found in red wine could potentially help ease hypertension in postmenopausal women. The study's authors note that women who have gone through menopause are at greater risk of hypertension than men of the same age underlining the need to identify potential therapeutic measures.
More About: Women , Health , Wine , Reduce

Women at risk of breast cancer with excess drinking
2008-03-21 20:03:00
A Department of Health report in the UK shows that women who drink more than 14 units per week are 50 percent more likely to get breast cancer. The report suggests that alcohol consumption is implicated in 2,000 cases of breast cancer in each year as well as causing other cancer, liver damage and fertility problems in women. With one 250ml glass containing up to 3.5 units, just one each evening would put a woman well over her weekly allowance. Official guidelines say women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, and men no more than 21. As Indians take to wine, it is important to keep in mind the health risks that arise when drinking in excess. Also read the BBC coverage.
More About: Women , Cancer , Breast Cancer , Drinking

SULAFEST - Celebrating 10 years of Sula
2008-03-13 01:40:00
Sula Vineyards is celebrating its tenth harvest with SULAFEST, a day-long concert at the beautiful new open-air Greek-style amphitheater, set in the middle of Sula's own estate vineyards. For Sulafest 08-Emcee Kunal Vijaykar will entertain the crowds and introduce Raghu Dixit and his folk stylings from Bangalore, as well as Shaair n Func, the Saturday Nite Blues Band and other performances. Then DJ's will take over to bring SULAFEST to a pulsating climax. Tickets are priced at Rs. 500 per person. For further information contact Ruth Dolla at +91 98675 61244 or ruthd@sulawines.com.
More About: Events , Years

India Wine Challenge 2008
2008-03-12 21:48:00
Robert Joseph, chairman and organizer of the India Wine Challenge was recently in India to launch the second edition of the Challenge. Joseph, who is the former Chairman of the International Wine Challenge London, also runs Wine Challenges in other Asian wine producing countries such as China, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. ?I've been running wine competitions for 25 years and place huge importance on the trust we have earned and maintain across the globe,? he commented last year in an interview with Sommelier India. Sommelier India supported the India Wine Challenge and were the first publication to announce the results.
More About: 2008

India to witness three-fold increase in wine consumption
2008-03-12 21:11:00
At a Vinexpo curtain raiser at the Imperial Hotel yesterday at which Sommelier India was present this was announced. Major Indian newspapers like The Hindu and The Financial Express are reporting it too via PTI. The wine consumption in India is set to treble by 2011 to touch 17 million litres per annum. This is according to a study conducted by UK-based International Wine s and Spirits Records (IWSR). "Contrary to popular belief that only imported wines are mainly consumed, most wines consumed in the country is locally produced, accounting for 75 per cent of the total volume," wine exhibitor VinExpo Chairman Dominique Heriard Dubreuil told PTI. Pictured above are Mrs. Dominique Hériard Dubreuil, Chairman, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific & Mr. Robert Beynat, Chief Executive, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific who introduced the report.
More About: Witness , Consumption , Fold

Wine outperformed stocks over seven-year period
2008-03-12 20:50:00
Investors in wine would have enjoyed a better return than those investing in Western stock markets over the last seven years, a study from London-based specialist Wine Asset Managers has shown. Data from the London-based company shows that the average annualised return on an investment in fine wines would have stood at 16 per cent.
More About: Stocks , Year , Period

Making Inroads. Our Indian Wine Culture
2008-03-12 20:00:00
Sometimes a cartoon is worth a thousand words. This cartoon seems to tell it all. We can't find the original source so apologies to the original publisher. Its a uniquely Indian and uniquely wine cartoon.
More About: Commentary , Culture , Wine

You want to impress your guests? An Imperial suggestion
2008-03-12 19:43:00
Just go to any restaurant at the Imperial and order a glass of 2002 Frank Phelan Saint-Estephe Medoc, the prestigious 2nd wine of Chateau Phelan-Segur poured from a MAGNUM. A magnum bottle is 1500 ml, the equivalent of two regular bottles of wine. It's large size makes it very impressive. This is an exclusive concept for a wine by the glass programme and is in India for the first time. It is a common practice in Top Michelin Star restaurants in London and Paris and is now available for guests at the Imperial in Delhi. Rs 680 150 ml glass. Rs 1360 300 ml glass, only in Spice Route and the French Brasserie ? Stephane Soret, Head Sommelier, The Imperial, New Delhi
More About: Events , Guests , Suggestion , Impress

Fine Italian cuisine, not to be missed. Travertino, The Oberoi, New Delhi
2008-03-10 05:03:00
Master chefs from the world-renowned Il Palazzetto restaurant and Hassler Roma Hotel are here whipping up stylish confections and exquisitely creative and balanced interpretations of classic Italian cuisine to please the most fastidious palate. A fabulous five-course meal costs just Rs 3,100, inclusive of all applicable taxes. Head Chef Vincenzo Di Tuoro hails from Naples and is now a consultant with Hassler Roma Hotel and Le Palazzetto in Rome while his colleague Pastry Chef Giulia Steffanina is a native of Rome.
More About: Events , Delhi , New Delhi , Cuisine

Craggy Range Winemaker?s Dinner at Smokehouse Grill
2008-03-10 04:35:00
Single Vineyard, Single Minded is what Craggy Range calls itself and what Craggy Range is. The owners? focus is single vineyard wines, which is what makes Craggy Range so unique in the wine world. Terry Peabody and Steve Smith teamed up with a common vision and started the business, owned by the Peabody and Smith families in 1997. Pictured is Steve Smith, MW, managing director and viticulturist of the New Zealand Craggy Range.
More About: Events , Dinner , Grill

Anakena wines enjoyed by The Wine Society, Delhi
2008-03-10 04:23:00
The Wine Society had another wonderful evening with Anakena wines from the Rapel Valley in Chile, at 'Yantra' at The Park Hotel, New Delhi . Four varietals were presented, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and the famous Chilean varietal of Carmenere accompanied by a delectable four course menu put together by Chef Dean of the Hotel.
More About: Events , Wines

South African Cricketer Jonty Rhodes to export wines into India
2008-03-02 18:37:00
Grai Import and Export and signed a deal with India 's United Breweries for exclusive supply of South African wines to India. Jonty Rhodes, one of Australia's former cricketers is a director of the company. South Africa believes that it can sell 10 million cases to India over the next decade. Abhay Kewadkar was first quoted in Sommelier India as saying that his company wanted to sell six million bottles of wine over the next five years and wanted to capture a third of the market in India. This partnership is part of that plan. Rhodes shot to fame when he got Imran Khan run out in the 1993 World Cup. It still considered one of the more spectacular feats of that World Cup. He's popular in India because he took a world record of five catches, to achieve the most dismissals by a fielder against the West Indies at Brabourne Stadium, Bombay. For more in this Indian Wine story visit Sify.
More About: Cricketer , South African

Hong Kong slashes wine taxes. Imaginative move
2008-03-02 18:20:00
Maybe the best place to drink wine is going to be Hong Kong . With wine duties across India still extremely high, it might be better to drink your wine while holidaying in Hong Kong. In an imaginative move, the Hong Kong government abolished duties on wine and beer. This makes Hong Kong one of the few places in the world in which wine is not taxed at all. Last year taxes on wine were as high as 80%.
More About: Taxes , Wine , Move , Imaginative

France has record 2007. This year not looking so great
2008-03-02 18:07:00
France's wine and spirit industry had a record 2007 with triple digit surges in the Chinese market and extraordinary sales from the Champagne region. Nearly $13.8 billion worth of wine and spirits was exported in 2007 marking a 7 percent increase over the previous year. Sales into China more than doubled to nearly $365 million largely because French wines are considered the most prestigious by the Chinese. Pictured is a map of France with the Champagne region coloured in red.
More About: France , Great , Record , Year

Bordeaux Vineyards on the Market
2008-03-02 17:57:00
The New York Times is reporting that a large number of Russian and Indian buyers are scouting around for small Bordeaux vineyards. With wine consumption in France dropping, midrange wines are hurt the most. The Bordeaux region of Entre-Deux-Mers is particularly affected by this. A 150 acre tract of land along with a 6,500 square foot chateau can be purchased for as little as $3 million.
More About: Market , Vineyards

Forbes Magazine Highlights India's Fine Wine Spots
2008-02-24 22:19:00
"Ten years into its economic boom, India has transformed itself: Though poverty is still widespread, millionaires abound. Their new drink of choice? Wine ." Forbes writer Pascale Le Draoulec draws attention to some of the country's best wine spots and also mentions Sommelier India saying, " Those new to the grape can read all about sniffing and swirling in the glossy India Sommelier magazine. It's drawing such reputable contributors as Jancis Robinson, editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine and the wine correspondent for The Financial Times." The restaurants that get mentioned include - Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mumbai), Travertino, The Oberoi (New Delhi), Diva (New Delhi), The Spice Route, The Imperial Hotel, (New Delhi), Indigo (Mumbai), The Zodiac Grill, The Taj Mahal (Mumbai) and Pure, Taj Lands End (Mumbai) and Masala Art, Taj Palace Hotel (New Delhi) and Orient Express, Taj Palace Hotel, (New Delhi). Interestingly, all the restaurants mentioned are either based in Mumbai or Delhi.
More About: Magazine , Highlights , Spots

Indian Wine Market to grow to 1.7 million cases
2008-02-24 20:46:00
Rabobank International suggests that the Indian wine market will grow by 25 to 30 percent to 1.7 million cases by 2010. The market is currently valued at $62 million.
More About: Wine , Market , Cases , Million

Global warming to change wine forever
2008-02-24 19:31:00
Michel Rolland, Bruno Prats and other Bordeaux notables claim climate change will positively affect the Bordeaux region says Decanter magazine. Speaking at the recent 2008 Climate Change and Wine Conference in Barcelona, they argued that global warming offered new possibilities. Citing Cos d'Estournel as an example, Bruno Prats said that its last 10 vintages have been the best ever. But not everyone at the conference was as excited about global warming. Some speakers were worried that it could lead to coarser wine with higher alcohol levels and lower acidity. Not surprisingly, countries like New Zealand which has the most to benefit from global warming is upbeat about the climatic changes.
More About: Global Warming , Global , Forever

Gold from Wine Legend
2008-02-20 04:27:00
We met Mahesh Lekkala recently in Delhi at a dinner at the Olive Beach restaurant. Mahesh is the man behind Wine Legend , a private limited company headquartered in Chennai. Based in Livingstone, New Jersey, Mahesh and his family own several retail and online wine stores in the US while Wine Legend India (Pvt) Ltd with Hans Raj Ahuja as MD, imports and distributes a selection of mainly New World wines in India.
More About: Events , Gold

Bruce Cakebread visits India
2008-02-20 03:26:00
Bruce Cakebread, owner and winemaker at Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley passed through Delhi earlier this month. We met him briefly but long enough to spark an interest in his wines. The wines under the Cakebread label priced from Rs 4,000 upwards are available in India through Brindco at most fine hotels and restaurants, outlets that offer the best ambience for wines with proper storage and service. You are unlikely to have a bad experience with good wine.
More About: Events , Bruce

UB Group to launch 80 new brands
2008-02-20 02:45:00
The Financial Express is reporting that the UB Group is planning to expand its product basking by launching 80 wine brands including imported brands this year. The company is learnt to be launching about 10-12 own labels under its subsidiary, Four Seasons Wines Ltd, while another subsidiary, United Vintners Ltd, will import about 70 labels from France, US, South Africa, Italy and Chile, by the end of this year. Read the full article for more information.
More About: Launch , Brands

IFOWS and Vinitaly 2008
2008-02-20 02:31:00
The sixth edition of the India International Food and Wine Show (IFOWS) took place between January 17 to 19, 2008 at InterContinental The Grand New Delhi. In addition to training sessions, workshops and wine tastings, the highlight of this year?s Show was the IFOWS Sommelier Training Programme, a two-day programme conducted by master sommelier, Roberto Bellini, in conjunction with Associazione Italiana Sommelier.
More About: Events

India's new status symbol: a nation hits the bottle
2008-02-20 01:51:00
The Independent out of London ran a major story on the Indian wine scene. Reva Singh of Sommelier India was quoted discussing the growth of wine in India. Excerpted is the Sommelier India reference. Three years ago, publisher Reva Singh started a wine newsletter that was sent out to a small group of subscribers. Now Sommelier India, the country's only magazine devoted to wine, is a grown-up, bi-monthly glossy on sale at selected stores. Subscriptions for the magazine, which contains news and features on both Indian and imported wine, she says, are up by 25 per cent on last year. "Things are changing. People are becoming increasingly sophisticated with wine and want to learn more about it. When we started, people perceived drinking wine as being trendy. Many men preferred to drink Scotch. Now it has got to where people are asking questions." For the full article, visit The Independent
More About: Nation , Status , Hits , Bottle

Wine Society of India launches in Bangalore
2008-02-18 02:10:00
The Prince of Wales lawns at The Taj West End Hotel were the venue for the Wine Society of India 's Bangalore launch on Friday, February 15th, 2008. The cocktails were hosted by Steven Spurrier, chairman of the WSI board of wine advisors. Guests included the who's who of Bangalore's high society. At the cocktails hosted by Steven Spurrier, chairman of the WSI board of wine advisors and world-renowned wine authority, and PK Mohankumar, area director and GM, Taj West End, guests got an opportunity to get a first hand glimpse into a high-end world of exclusive wines.Bangalore wine enthusiasts snapped with Reva Singh of Sommelier India (extreme right) at the Wine Society of India launch party.
More About: Events

Valentine's Day. Knowing what to drink
2008-02-14 16:32:00
Everywhere across the world Valentine's Day is being celebrated. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Across India, Valentine's Day is a huge phenomena with Rs.15 crores in related sales last year. So what should you drink on Valentine's day? Experts believe that Champagne is the best drink for Valentine's Day. Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial is always a great choice. You may want to try Sula's new Dia wine which targets Indian women. The wine costs Rs 180 per bottle and only 8% alcohol as against the more normal 14%. It is a little sweeter than most other wines. Sula produces this wine in partnership with Bosca.
More About: Commentary , Drink , Knowing

Matching Food with Wine on Valentine's Day
2008-02-14 16:10:00
Fiona Beckett an occasional contributor to Sommelier India-The Wine Magazine (www.matchingfoodandwine.com) offers some interesting pairings of wine (and other drinks) to match Valentine?s Day favourites. "If you?re planning a Valentine?s dinner on Thursday and haven?t got round to the wine here?s a quick list of my picks with the world?s most sensual foods. Bear in mind that the pairings are suggested with Valentine?s night in mind. There may be better matches but they?re less romantic ones!"
More About: Commentary , Food