Sommelier India - India's only wine magazine

Sauternes demystified

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:01:57 +0530

A true revelation for me at this year's Vinexpo was a (re) introduction to the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, says Harshal Shah.There is still a slight misconception amongst wine-drinkers that these sweet wines are best served either with foie-gras or with dessert, making them wines that are locked away in a cupboard until a 'special occasion.' But, as my eyes and palate were opened by the ebullient Bérénice Lurton of Château Climens in Barsac, what truly makes these sweet wines so special is their ability to marry a host of cuisines.

World wine press feted at Ch. Lafite-Rothschild at Vinexpo

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:21:35 +0530

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.

Protect your wines during the hot summer

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:54:54 +0530

With temperatures rising across India, it is imperative that you keep your wines appropriately cooled so that they taste their very best when you open them. Keeping them in a dark corner or just stashing them in your fridge amid your raitas and left-over chicken curry may not be good enough. A wine fridge maybe needed. Here are some temperature recommendations.

Oz Wine Bars to bring more wine to consumers

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:33:02 +0530

There's good news for wine lovers with the introduction of Oz Wine Bars into the country. These devices which are being imported by Amfora Wines allow restaurants to preserve open bottles of wine for longer periods. Restaurants with these devices can serve more wines by the glass at more affordable prices without the wines going bad too quickly. The first restaurant to get the Oz Wine Bar is Lodhi Garden Restaurant in Delhi. A definite win for consumers.

Investors buy into India's wine leader - Indage Vintners

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:34:40 +0530

One sign that the Indian wine market is getting more competitive is in how ownership stakes in major wine makers change. Indage Vintners is giving 40.28% of its company to four investors - Anam Transport Pvt. Ltd, Sanjivani Horticulture Pvt. Ltd, Arsh Advisors and Owners Ltd and Asian Sirius Energy Ltd for Rs. 90.6 crore. IVL will use the money raised from the investors to reduce debt, fund existing operations, meet long-term working capital requirements and other corporate purposes, it said. Shiv Singh reports.

Almaviva wine born through a Franco - Chilean partnership

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:46:07 +0530

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.

Brindco appoints new General Manager - Marketing

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:33:20 +0530

Brindco Limited, leading importer and distributor in India and part owner of Grover Vineyards, has appointed Christophe Orlarei as General Manager, Marketing with effect from July 7th, 2009. In other news, Dr. Ariff Jamal who was the CEO of Grover Vineyards is returning to France after having completed his one year assignment. He had earlier helped build Brindco Sales and was instrumental in the exponential growth of its imported wine portfolio in India.

Enjoying the Nine Hills new vintage

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:01:30 +0530

Indian wine enthusiasts had the opportunity to taste Nine Hills wines and chat with winemaker Jean-Manuel Jacquinot at events held in Juhu Gymkhana and The Park in Navi Mumbai, recently, writes Suneeta Sodhi Kanga.

Jean-Michel Lemetayer new chairman of Sopexa

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:20:38 +0530

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.

Reva Singh's Sip of the Day

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:03:04 +0530

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!

Signature Business Event - Vinexpo 2009

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:20:23 +0530

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.

The SI Calendar of Events

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:12:55 +0530

Sommelier India posts information about select upcoming events of general interest on a weekly basis. To have your event included contact us.

An Oriental Extravaganza at Silk Route, Pune

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:41:21 +0530

If you are in Pune on Wednesday, 24 June 2009 you can look forward to a very special Pan-Asian dinner at Silk Route, Brinda Gill writes. Rita and Nainpal Sawhney, owners of Silk Route, Pune's popular Oriental restaurant, are hosting a wine dinner on 24 June 2009 with an elaborate menu.

Champagne and candlelight at the Taj Residency, Bangalore

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:32:44 +0530

It was a champagne and foie gras experience for the Bangalore Wine Club at L'Experience du Vin, their sit-down dinner at the Taj Residency on Saturday, 13 June 2009. The dinner which combined fine dining in a candlelit ambience with a comparison of New World and Old World wines, proved to be enjoyable as well as educational.

Discovering Wine Wonderland Austria

sommelierindia@gmail.com (Sommelier India) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:33:33 +0530

The wines of Austria are a national treasure that we, in India, are barely aware of. However, Willi Klinger, Managing Director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, along with his dedicated team, is going all out to spread the good word, writes Reva K Singh.
At the Austrian Wine Summit 2009, Klinger announced with almost evangelical zeal, "We have one goal to fight for - and that is good wine and good food to make the world better."

Introducing the programme, "Discover Wine Wonderland Austria", Klinger was addressing a large gathering of members of the press and wine trade from 36 countries.