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Brancaia Il BLU, a classic beloved of wine connoisseurs
2008-06-03 05:51:00
Very special La Brancaia vertical tastings were held in Mumbai and Delhi recently led by owner and producer, Martin Kronenberg himself. Meticulously arranged at The Spice Route Restaurant, The Imperial, under the professional eye of resident sommelier, Stephane Soret, the Delhi tasting took place on May 21, 2008. Pictured to the right are importer Vishal Kadakia and Martin Kronenberg.
More About: Events , Wine , Classic , Beloved

Indian wine industry to explode according to industry reports
2008-06-03 04:36:00
Domestic wine consumption touched more than 10 million litres in 2007 and it may go up to 15 million litres for 2008. In 2001, consumption was just 1 million litres. Even more interesting, as the Economic Times reported, Jaideep K Kale, technical coordinator at Grape Wine Park, Maharashtra believes that the consumption of foreign wines has only increased by 400,000 litres since 2001 while domestic consumption jumped.
More About: Industry , Indian , Explode

The Best Sommelier in the World
2008-06-03 02:57:00
A few months ago while lunching at Le Bernardin in New York, I had a brief but illuminating conversation with the Sommelier , a certain Aldo Sohm. Little did I know that a few months later he'd win the title of Best Sommelier in the World in a competition organized by the Italian World Sommelier Association.
More About: The World

Indian Wines Commended at Decanter World Wine Awards
2008-06-03 02:39:00
At the recently concluded Decanter World Wine Awards 2008, Chateau Indage was commended for five of its wines namely the Indage Merlot 2006, Indage Chantilli Chardonnay 2007, Indage Chantilli Chenin Blanc 2007, Indage Ivy Merlot 2006 and the Indage Marquise de Pompadour NV. Mercury was also commended for the Mercury Winery Aryaa - Chenin Blanc 2007.
More About: Indian , Wines

Indian wine in the UK and knowing your grapes
2008-06-03 01:26:00
The Independent from the UK ran a story on how Indian wines are slowly getting more accepted in UK restaurants. First it was just in the Indian restaurants in London but now others too are starting to carry Indian wine. The article also includes an interesting "Beginner's Guide" box that describes popular grapes grown in India. For more on the grapes in India, visit the National Research Center for Grapes .
More About: Wine , Knowing

Pairing Food and Wine. It's all about balance
2008-06-02 22:50:00
Food and wine, like wine itself is a balance. Although in this case opposites do balance such as a lightly sweet white with very spicy food of any type, never underestimate pairing similar flavors. Similarly, match flavors. The grapefruit/citrus taste of Sauvignon Blancs goes with fish as well as and for the same reason that lemon does. For more insights on food pairings, study this chart.
More About: Commentary , Food , Wine , Balance

Central Government considers uniform tax structure for wine
2008-06-02 22:19:00
LiveMint is reporting that the Indian government is considering a uniform and rational duty structure across India. This would mean that wine would cost exactly the same across the country in retail shops. The excise duty on wine ranges from Rs70 a litre to a high of 200% of the base price of the wine. Sommelier India contributor is quoted as saying that this will lower prices in some states too. Read the full story.
More About: Government , Wine , Uniform , Central , Structure

While stocks last, buy old issues of Sommelier India
2008-06-02 21:04:00
Missed an issue of SI? Someone borrowed your copy and didn?t return it? Complete your set or select the issues you want. So few remain of some editions that they are collector?s pieces. For the first time, limited stocks of Sommelier India back issues are available at the price of Rs. 55 each, for India. To order, send a cheque payable on par to Consolidated Media Int, stating the issues you require and your delivery details to: SI Back Issues , C 320 Defence Colony, New Delhi 110 024, India. Or Contact Us for more information. You can also subscribe online for new issues.
More About: Commentary , Stocks

Château Indage recognized at International Wine Challenge
2008-05-26 17:09:00
At the International Wine Challenge , Château Indage won three commendations for its Chantilli Chenin Blanc, Ivy Brut and Marquise de Pompadour. No other Indian wines received recognition. In all fairness to the other Indian winemakers, we do not know which ones participated. With over 9,000 entries, the International Wine Challenge is the largest of its kind in the world.

First of the Seconds: Château Brane-Cantenac Grand Vin
2008-05-26 16:43:00
Brane-Cantenac wines have held an enviable position for centuries. Founded in the 18th century, this Bordeaux wine estate was ranked at the top of the second classed growths in the 1855 classification, but was producing one of the most highly regarded wines of the Médoc well before that. Archives record that over a century before the 1855 classification, the wine of the Cantenac plateau was highly prized among wine connoisseurs who were willing to pay a very good price for it.
More About: Commentary , Grand , Seconds

Champagne takes top award at Chelsea Flower Show
2008-05-26 16:37:00
The champagne's been fizzing at the Chelsea Flower Show in London ? the traditional start of the English summer social season. The green and white garden created there for Laurent-Perrier won the top award for the best in the show, as well as a gold medal. Designer Tom Stuart-Smith described it as a "contemplative space, with lots of things going on which you don't get at first sight".
More About: Commentary , Champagne

Sportsmen win coveted wine awards
2008-05-26 16:30:00
The French former footballer David Ginola has won a coveted silver award for his Coste Brulade rosé at the International Wine Challenge, the world cup of wine-tasting events, at the London International Wine Fair. The judges praised its "gentle strawberry fruit flavours with a hint of minerality". They also commended two of his other bottles.
More About: Commentary , Awards , Sportsmen

Choosing wine for your cellar
2008-05-26 15:30:00
What should you keep in mind as you decide whether the Bordeaux 2007s are worth buying? Or for that matter, when you are buying any wine to grow your cellar? There are three key factors that are most important. Firstly, the wine needs to have a proven track record of holding well over time. You need to research the winemaker's wines.
More About: Commentary , Wine

Giving oak the respect it deserves
2008-05-26 03:33:00
Did you know that there are about 400 species of oak, of which only about 20 are used in making oak barrels? Of the trees that are used, only 5% is suitable for making high grade wine barrels. And the average age of a French oak tree harvested for use in wine barrels is 170 years! Oak barrels, which may be charred before use (as shown in the picture), contribute to the color, taste and aroma, of the contents.
More About: Commentary , Respect , Giving

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific starts in Hong Kong
2008-05-26 03:09:00
Asia's largest wine expo starts on May 27th in Hong Kong . The Fifth Vinexpo Asia-Pacific brings together 692 exhibitors from 32 countries as well as 7,500 professional visitors from 18 Asian countries including India. Your Sommelier India team is on the ground in Hong Kong and will bring you highlights from the expo over the next week.
More About: Events , Asia , Asia Pacific

BT More Wine Competition Results. Nine Hills Wins Again
2008-05-20 06:31:00
BT More announced the winners of its wine competition this week. Taking top honors among the whites was the Nine Hills Chenin Blanc 2007 (12.8/20) and the Reveilo Chenin Blanc 2006 followed by the Indus Chenin Blanc 2006 (12.1/20). Among the Reds, the Nine Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (11.75/20) won with Chateau d'Ori Cabernet Merlot 2007 (12.8/20) taking second place. In all, Chateau d'Ori won three of eleven awards while Revelio and Sula took two each. Continue reading for the results and click here to see how these compared to the Spurrier Ratings and to the Indian Wine Challenge. Incidentally, the Nine Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 was judged the winner at the Indian Wine Challenge as well.
More About: Competition , Results , Wins

Sommelier India Visits New York
2008-05-18 18:07:00
Senior members of the Sommelier India team recently visited the USA on a whirlwind trip of the East Coast and are happy to report from this outpost of Sommelier India magazine that the US has a thriving wine culture of which the Indian diaspora is an integral part. What's more there is tremendous interest and curiosity about Indian wines. The only Indian wine we actually saw on the shelves, however, was from Sula.(Did we miss something there? Château Indage and Grover, do you export to the US?) A new Indian restaurant with a commendable wine list was Amma, the current hot spot with young professionals.
More About: Commentary , New York , York

Italian Gourmet Trail for Indian Wine Enthusiasts
2008-05-18 18:05:00
Hurry and sign up for this very special wine trip organised by the folks at Amfora Wine , Nanda and Ranjit Gupta, who are importers of Italian wines and very familiar with the region. They are organising a vineyard and gastronomique tour of Italian vineyards and fine dining restaurants in the first week of September 2008, for a select group of 12 couples ( 24 people). Eat and drink the best at Michelin starred restaurants and buy wine at vineyard prices. Cost: approximately Rs. 1,50,000/- (Plus taxes). Contact: + (91 11) 2923 2823 ext: 22 Miss Manailu. Email: manailu@amfora.com
More About: Indian , Gourmet , Trail

Rocking the Bottle in New York. Two must see places
2008-05-18 17:56:00
New York is for wine lovers. Every hundred yards or so along the streets and avenues of Manhattan there seems to be a well stocked wine shop. And there are wine bars and restaurants galore. Bottle Rocket is the kind of store that makes wine shopping fun and easy even if your wine knowledge is next to zero. Located between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas, Bottle Rocket Wine & Spirits is bright and casual, with innovative product displays arranged according to price, style of wine, food matches, etc at stations down the central aisle as well as by country along the wall.
More About: Commentary , New York , Places

Robert Mondavi is dead. Wine lovers around the world mourn
2008-05-18 17:41:00
Robert Mondavi was a household name and news of his death around the world was met with sadness by all who knew him even remotely. That includes us here at SommelierIndia. Less than a week ago we posted a note describing his new wine Continuum (see the blog for the piece). Looking back, however, there is much to celebrate. He was a legendary figure who helped put Napa Valley on the world wine map and raised the bar for California wines.
More About: World , Wine , Around the world , Lovers , The World

Pune enthusiasts enjoy Italian dinner paired with Indage wine
2008-05-18 17:39:00
Joseph Pereira (pictured to the left) clinked a piece of cutlery on a wine glass, drew the attention of guests at the bar of La Dolce Vita, Pune, and indicated the Château Indage wine tasting evening of 9th May had begun! Head Sommelier Trainer (certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers), Joseph was on a flying visit to Pune to host a session of food and wine tasting. The light and flavourful meal was elegantly served at La Dolce Vita, one of Pune?s most popular Italian restaurants, and the selection of wines was courtesy Chateau Indage.
More About: Events , Wine , Dinner , Enjoy

Of Zintails and Tattoos
2008-05-18 17:36:00
Zinzi, find any reason?, read the invitation to the Zinzi Ball, a wine party at the recently launched Hotel Le Royce, Pune, on May16. To celebrate the launch of Zinzi, the new wine from United Breweries, guests were welcomed with white wine blended with vodka shots. The evening got underway with Zinzi red and white wines and refreshing Zintails ? Zinzi wine cocktails ? being served along with a variety of Indian snacks to pulsating party music.
More About: Events , Tattoos

Wine dinners, wine tastings, and now, there are wine ratings!
2008-05-18 17:35:00
Wine is certainly the flavour of the times. Wine features of all kinds appear regularly in the mainstream media underscoring a trend and disposition for wine information that Sommelier India magazine was the first to anticipate. We came on the scene without fanfare more than three years ago, in the midst of nay sayers, doubting Thomases and publishing pundits who doubted there was a market for a publication exclusively on wine.
More About: Commentary , Wine , Ratings

Château Indage announces third Australian acquisition
2008-05-18 16:46:00
India's oldest and largest winemaker, Château Indage announced its third Australian acquisition today. It has bought over Australia?s VineCrest, a premium boutique winery in an all cash transaction. VineCrest is situated in the Barossa Valley which is 60km northeast of Adelaide. VineCrest has one over 100 awards, commendations and medals in the past five years. The winery specializes in premium quality Barossa Shiraz, Sparkling Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon and Late Harvest (desert wine). It also has a sweet red, ruby and white ports.
More About: Acquisition

India International Wine Fair in Mumbai
2008-05-18 00:56:00
Don't miss the India International Wine Fair coming to Mumbai between 11th-13th December, 2008. The business to business fair will be held at the Grand Hyatt and will feature exhibitions, tastings and keynote speeches.
More About: Events

First Ever Rating of Indian Wines: The Red Winners
2008-05-11 19:05:00
Last week Sommelier India published the ratings of the white wines from Steven Spurrier. This week the ratings of the Reds are being published. Among the Cabernet Sauvignons Vins & Vouloir 2007 came in first followed by Sula Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz 2007 and Seagrams Nine Hills 2007. Seagrams Nine Hills was the winning red at the Indian Wine Challenge. Read on for the results.
More About: Winners , Wines

Masala Art, Ideal for Delhi Wine Lovers
2008-05-11 09:25:00
Masala Art at The Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi , is arguably the best place in town for wine enthusiasts who love Indian food. With a wine list comprising 408 labels (several available by the glass) and a light, youthful take on traditional, North Indian cuisine, it is ideal for wine matches. A bright, cheerful restaurant with 22 covers, it?s a great favourite with visiting businessmen and professionals who enjoy a glass or two of wine with a nicely presented meal.
More About: Commentary , Wine , Lovers , Ideal

Barole of Honour Wine Tasting
2008-05-11 09:05:00
As always the Barole of Honour Wine Tasting was meticulously organised by Sanjay Menon, along with a detailed booklet describing the extraordinary wines supported by background information and maps of the region which was of great value. The presentation was clear, punctuated by interesting anecdotes and personal commentary. The audience, in turn, was informed and appreciative.
More About: Events

India's Heavy Duties on Alcohol Under Attack Again
2008-05-11 08:32:00
The saga over alcohol tariffs in India continues with the Scottish Whiskey Assocation (SWA) complaining to Indian officials over the duties levied on imported spirits across India. Last year the Scottish industry, won a 20-year battle against the tariff system forcing the central government to lower taxes from 550 percent to 150 percent. The SWA is complaining that the ruling is being flouted by new levies being imposed by individual states reports the Times of London.
More About: Alcohol , Duties , Heavy , Attack

Michel Rolland on Grover and the Indian Wine Market
2008-05-11 08:05:00
The influential Bordeaux oenologist, Michel Rolland was in Bangalore recently for his annual visit to Grover Vineyards. Sommelier India interviewed Rolland and found his comments that India makes much better quality wine compared to the cheap international wines encouraging.
More About: Interviews , Wine , Market , Indian