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Tolerance to alcohol varies significantly by person
2007-10-20 16:03:00
The Times of India is reporting that the number of drinks consumed is a poor measure of consumption. Generally, two pints of normal beer, one large glass of wine or three vodka pegs can push a person beyond the 80mg limit. Blood alcohol content (BAC) is not an accurate indicator of the level of impairment either. Tolerance to alcohol varies from one person to another, and can be affected by factors like adaptation to chronic alcohol use, genetics and synergistic effects of drugs. Therefore it is important to know your own drinking limits and to stick to them.
More About: Health , Alcohol , Person

General Bilimoria exploring wine market
2007-10-20 14:05:00
While General Bilimoria is keen to quickl expand its Cobra beer presence in India, it is also looking at the wine market. According to sources, a pilot study has already been conducted and the company plans to enter the Indian market under the General Bilimoria brand. The company plans to launch its wine business within the next three years. According to Karan Bilimoria, when the company enters the Indian market, it will be manufacturing the wine in India through licensing arrangements with existing wineries in the country.
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Indian wine market grows at 30-40%
2007-10-20 11:35:00
According to industry statistics, the domestic wine consumption has increased from three million litres in 2003-04 to 7.60 million litres in 2005-06 and 11.25 million litres in 2006-07. The Indian wine market is growing at about 30 to 40 per cent and is expected to maintain this pace for the next five to six years reports The Hindu newspaper. The big names in the wine production industry include Indage, Sula and Grover Vineyards. Presently, there are 51 grape wine units in the state, including 28 in Nashik, 8 in Sangli, 9 in Pune and 3 in Solarpur. India at present imports 72,000 wine cases (each case consists of about nine litres), out of which 32,000 cases are bottled in origin and the rest imported in bulk flexi bags and subsequently bottled by Indian wineries.
More About: Wine , Market

California gets grant for India wine study
2007-10-19 23:50:00
Winemakers in California will benefit from a $50,000 government grant to improve their knowledge of the emerging India n market according to Drinks International. California?s Wine Institute will use the funding, cleared under the US Department of Agriculture?s Emerging Markets Program, to conduct a comprehensive study of India?s wine market.
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Indian owned Bouvet-Ladubay produces French bubbly in the Loire Valley
2007-10-15 13:17:00
Now an Indian company, Bouvet-Ladubay produces excellent French bubbly in the Loire Valley . In November 2000 UNESCO added the Loire Valley to the World Heritage List as a cultural landscape, in recognition of the quality of the site and the efforts being made for its preservation. And this is also where Vijay Mallya's recent acquisition, Bouvet-Ladubay is situated in the town of Saumur.
More About: Owned , Bubbly

Sommelier India presented in Courrier International, French magazine
2007-10-01 15:04:00
Sommelier India was presented in the pages of Courrier International in a special wine issue last month. The French weekly magazine which has a circulation of around 160 000 copies covered the burgeoning wine scene in India and the pioneering part played by Sommelier India magazine. In addition to other reports, the Weekly also featured an extract from the latest issue of Sommelier India regarding the pairing of Indian food with Champagne by Prashanth AK. Courrier International selects, translates and publishes articles from around the globe.
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Sicilian wines enter Indian market
2007-10-01 02:56:00
Nature's Bounty Wines and Allied Products Pvt Ltd (NBWAP) launched three brands of Sicilian wines in the domestic market, attempting to strengthen its position here. The company has a tie up with Italian winemaker Calatrasi. The company plans on launching the three brands of Calatrasi Maranfusa, D'istinto and Terre di Ginestra 2002. It also plans to introduce ready-to-drink wine-based liqueur shots. These will be in four flavours of banana split, chocolate, melon and pancakes. They would be priced at Rs110 per shot.For more information visit domain-B.com
More About: Interviews , Market , Indian , Enter

Hotel industry protests liquor sale curbs
2007-10-01 02:21:00
Chennai is one city that really suffers from strict local laws governing the sale of liquor. For example, hotels can only serve liquor to residents and that too until midnight. The license for serving liquor in the state is priced at Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh for different categories of star hotels. In short it is a tough market to function in and the hotels are now protesting.
More About: Industry , Hotel , Sale , Liquor , Protests

Changing the World with a Microsoft Wine
2007-10-01 01:18:00
Decanter Magazine is reporting that Stormhoek, the South African label owned by Orbital Wine s, has created a wine specifically for Microsoft . Blue Monster Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is named for a cartoon character developed by Hugh MacLeod, Stormhoek's marketing strategist. We're told that the wine has it that the wine has no viruses. Interestingly, most of Stormhoek's marketing efforts are rooted in two blogs Stormhoek.com and Gapingvoid run by MacLead.
More About: World , Changing , The World

Sulay Vineyards raises Rs. 45 crore
2007-09-30 22:40:00
Sula Vineyards has raised Rs. 45 crore from Indivision India Partners (Future Capital Holdings) and another private investor. The money will be used to setup a new winery at Pimpane near Nashik and to expand the capacity at its existing winery. After the investments both wineries will have a capacity of 2 million litres each. In 2005, GEM India Advisors (GIA) had invested Rs 15 crore in the company.

The Indian Wine Challenge: Supplying the wine
2007-09-30 22:38:00
Responding to queries we have been receiving regarding the supply of wine to be tasted for The Indian Wine Challenge , Robert Joseph noted in an email to Sommelier India, "Almost all wine competitions rely on samples submitted by producers. Financially, it would be very hard to run a competition in which everything was purchased ? and we would in any case run the problem in India, in particular, of producers claiming that the samples we had bought had been spoiled by bad shipping/storage.
More About: Halle

Wine Society of Delhi Cooking with Wine Evening
2007-09-24 05:38:00
The Wine Society of Delhi held a Cooking with Wine dinner at the Park Hotel on September 17th, 2007. Their French Chef Alain Andre led the guests through several food and wine combinations. The wines served were Jacob Creek's selection of a sparkling, a rose', a Chardonnay Reserve and a Shiraz Reserve.
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Hizballah Heartland producing spicy wine
2007-09-23 20:44:00
The hotbed of Shi'ite militancy in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon is also a promising wine growing region. Alcohol production might seem out of place in the Middle East but viniculture has a long history in the Bekaa valley. In fact, the Romans built a temple to the wine god Bacchus here thousands of years ago. And it was the Arabs who invented the art of distilling fermented beverages into alcoholic spirits. Today Lebanon produces 6 million bottles of wine a year. Read about the Table Wine s of the Hizballah Heartland .
More About: Spicy , Producing , Alla

Indians still shy away from expensive wines?
2007-09-23 20:43:00
The other day I read an article in a major Indian newspaper that explained that Indians shy away from spending more than Rs 1,000 on good wine because they have difficulty in understanding the value of it. While we are all entitled to our opinions, I wondered whether that was indeed the case. What do you think? Would you spend more than Rs 1,000 on a good bottle of wine? I believe that as Indians, we are value conscious but that doesn't necessarily mean we don't know our wine. I've found that the informed wine drinkers across the country are very comfortable paying more for good wine. But many of them purchase their wines abroad when they travel. That way they spend their money on the wine itself not on taxes too. Having said that, I also believe that you can get a lot of happiness from wines that cost $10 (Rs.500) or less. Just ask Eric Asimov who explains how rationality and irrationality factor into wine purchasing decisions. For example, did you know that the second cheapes...
More About: Commentary , Wines

Untold Stories of India from the Asia Society in New York
2007-09-16 17:51:00
US based filmmaker, Simone Ahuja produced a documentary series titled, "Untold Stories of India " for the Asia Society in New York . This clip covers rugby, wine and snake boat races in Kerala. If you have friends abroad who don't believe the Indian wine story, this can serve as a nice introduction both to India and to wine. Rajeev Samant of Sula Vineyards, importer Sanjay Menon and Rahul Akerkar of Indigo Restaurant are featured. The Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the United States and Asia.
More About: Commentary

Rick's Annual Bartender of the Year Competition
2007-09-15 22:20:00
The Sommelier India publishers were invited to judge the Rick's Annual Bartender of the Year Competition a few weeks ago in Delhi. Each major hotel could nominate one participant for the competition. This head to head performance had the bartenders being evaluated on style, technique, tastings and presentation. The participants were required to make two entirely new cocktails and could bring their own CDs to be played during the process. Nitin Tewari of The Taj Mahal Hotel was recognized as Rick's bartender of the year as well as the most stylish bartender. Dikshit Khanna of the Taj Palace was the runner up. The Best Cocktail creator was Manjeet of the Claridges. Congratulations!
More About: Petit

World's most sought after wines at Christie's
2007-09-15 20:45:00
Christie's International Wine Department has announced its Fall 2007 season of sales in the America's. For the first time, Christie's wine sales will be open to Internet bidding too allowing Indian buyers to participate over the Internet. Over 3000 lots with an estimated value in excess of $15 million will cross the auction table at the first planned spirits auction to be held in New York since Prohibition. The first of these auctions was held in New York on September 15th, 2007. Continue reading for information on the other events.
More About: Wines

See, swirl, sniff, sip, savour: Wine & woman to make it heady
2007-09-15 20:30:00
Red or white, the wine industry in India is sparkling, with a rising growth rate of nearly 30 per cent says Express India. As more and more Indians raise their glasses to the finest in Indian and foreign vintage, new vistas have opened in the relatively uncharted world of wine making. From wine tourism to wine tasting and even wine journalism, the options are plenty for anyone with a passion and expertise in vintage. Find the complete article at Express India.
More About: Wine , Woman , Make , Sniff

The Black Rooster Crows Again
2007-09-13 07:06:00
As I discovered on a recent visit to Tuscany, the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, plays a very important role in the functioning of the wine producing estates that lie within its territory. Covering a total of 70,000 ha (172,900 acres) stretching south from Florence to Siena, the area is one of exquisite beauty dotted with cypress and olive trees in between vineyards interspersed with stone homesteads and imposing castella. Terrain, altitude and climate combine in a unique fashion to produce wine of a quality that is strictly monitored by the consortium. ? Reva K Singh
More About: Commentary , Black , Rooster , Lack , Roost

Decanter World Wine Awards
2007-09-13 05:22:00
Decanter Magazine in the UK has just announced its World Wine Awards . Their awards are among the most prestigious in the world. Visit their website and browse through the awards. A few of the winners are available in India. If a wine that you want isn't, just pick it up on a trip abroad. Sometimes these winners are cheaper than you expect them to be. Jump to International winners, Gold medal winners, Silver medal winners and Bronze medal winners.
More About: Cant

Canard Duchêne launches in India
2007-09-11 03:55:00
Canard Duchêne, a French Champange label was launched at the Hyatt Regency in Delhi last week. It will be joining the existing bouquet of the exclusive 130 labels from Finewinesnmore in India . Sommelier India was invited to the exclusive launch event at which a selection of Canard Duchêne wines were tasted.
More About: Interviews

Additional excise levy leaves Mumbai dry
2007-09-11 01:34:00
According to an Indian Express article, Mumbai appears to be really suffering from the changes in the taxation structure for wine. The 150-200 percent tax is pushing up the prices of the big brands while the government officials say that it is leveling the playing field. Under the new rules, the hotels must pay 150 percent of the bottle's assessed value which can translate into duty of as much as Rs. 7,000 per bottle. The net result - hotels and restaurants aren't carrying as much wine as they used to and the wine enthusiast is left with fewer choices. In fact, rumor has it that hotels have slashed their wine lists down to 50 bottles from the normal 200 bottles on their menus.
More About: Leaves , Aves

Happily Unmarried Wine Accessories
2007-09-10 20:36:00
Wine Consumption is Increasing! And we think we are responsible. Our Bottle Stoppers are so good people are drinking more just to use them. 2007 is a great year for wine accessories. Check out our entire range of wine related products at www.happilyunmarried.com or call at 98102 96994 / 98100 32988
More About: Wine , Accessories , Married

The real Indian story sweet & sour. Can you help?
2007-09-04 04:33:00
World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand, discussed how Indian s are perceived globally in a Times of India article. He argued that there are two differing perceptions. The first is driven by economics and cites a German mayor who told him that he liked Indian tourists because they stayed in expensive hotels and drank fine wine.
More About: Commentary , Story , Sweet , Real

Rotarians? Wine Fellowship of India (RWFI) launches club
2007-09-03 21:18:00
The Rotarians? Wine Fellowship of India (RWFI) launched its first ever wine club in India recently with a wine tasting dinner by Big Banyan Wines. This is the official wine club of Rotary District 3190 and all Rotarians of the district are eligible to become its members. According to Devesh Agarwal and Chandar Mannar, co-chairmen of the RWFI will be contributing about Rs 62,500 which will be matched by the Global Rotarian?s Wine Fellowship. This article first appeared in Deccan Herald on September 1st, 2007. Devesh Agarwal is a wine enthusiast, publisher of a PDF booklet on demystifying wine and a Sommelier India subscriber.
More About: Events , Club

The Most Expensive Restaurants in India
2007-09-03 21:00:00
Forbes published a list of the most expensive restaurants in India not too long ago. Do you think these restaurants are worth their prices? What about their wine lists? Would you recommend them? In Delhi Sakura (Nikko), Travertino (Oberoi), Dum Pukht (ITC Maurya Sheraton), Orient Express (Taj Palace) and San Gimigano (The Imperial) were included. Mumbai was represented by Zodiac Grill (Taj Mahal Palace), Celini (Grand Hyatt), Pure (Taj Lands End) and Wasabi by Morimoto (Taj Mahal Palace). Zen (Leela Kempinski) from Bangalore was also included in the list. Pictured above is San Gimigano (The Imperial) which serves the hotel's own label.
More About: Commentary , Restaurants , Most Expensive

Vanilla Café & Garden Grill, Mumbai is something new to try
2007-09-03 20:48:00
Located in Andheri (West) Vanilla Café & Garden Grill has opened in style. The restaurant is retro with a variety of cuisines. But more interestingly for the wine lover, each table includes a specially designed wine chiller embedded into the table. This allows you to enjoy wine at a perfect temperature while still being able to maintain eye contact with your companions. The wine selection includes wines from Chile, Australia, Italy and France. It also includes Sula and Chateau Indage wines. For more information call 022 67104411.
More About: Commentary , Mumbai , Arden

Retail chains to sell wines
2007-09-03 20:44:00
The mainstream news outlets are reporting that the major wine producers in India are busy tying up with the retail chains like Hypercity that are entering the Indian market. The logic is simple. Traditional liquor shops only devote 5-10% of their shelf space to wine and there are no guarantees whether the wine will be properly stored. In contrast to this, the retail chains can offer more space and better storage conditions. Reliance Retail has entered into agreements with Diageo, Champagne Indage and the UB group. Grover Vineyards is also talking to Reliance, Spencer's and Metro Cash and Carry. This will represent a win for Indian consumers who shudder at the thought of purchasing wines from the existing liquor shops many of which are dark and seedy affairs.
More About: Sell , Wines , Tail , Hain

Grover Vineyards enters Ludhiana market
2007-09-03 20:44:00
Grover Vineyards recently launched their wines in Ludhiana , Punjab. Their La Reserve and Shiraz Rose will be available in leading retail outlets and restaurants. The wines are priced between Rs. 450 and Rs. 650 with more varieties to be launched soon. Grover Vineyards is targeting sales of 1,500 by the end of their financial year. In separate news, the Economic Times is reporting that Grover Vineyards is signing a first of its kind deal with a consortium of wine growers in Maharashtra, to put up a new winery in the state. ?The farmers will own the winery; we will be in-charge of production,? said director of Grover Vineyards Kapil Grover. The company is investing close to Rs 1 crore on plant and machinery in the new winery, Mr Grover said.
More About: Interviews , Market , Grove

Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe's wines on Singapore Airlines
2007-09-03 20:42:00
According to CH?NG Poh Tiong, Singapore Airlines A380 inaugural flight on October 25th to Sydney will be serving Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1982 on its First Class. Known as the Maharajah of Saint -Estèphe, Louis Gaspard d'Estournel made sure that his wines in the 17th century exceeded the prices of the most prestigious wines and was exported as far as India. The classification of 1955 placed Cos d'Estournel at the head of the Saint-Estèphes.
More About: Wines , Singapore Airlines