Video: The Best Indian Red Wines

Video: The Best Indian Red Wines

I’m often asked to suggest quality Indian red wines and so here’s a list that covers the best of the lot. I hope this guide helps with all your future wine buying escapades and party capers.

A little caveat: the vintages mentioned in the video are the ones currently available in the market and not a specific reference to the best of each brand. Simply put, these wines have been consistently good over their recent vintages and hence make it to the list. Also, the wines in the video follow no particular order.

Grover La Réserve 2014

The first red to put India on the international wine map, La Reserve was first made in 1997. Originally made only in the Bangalore Grover Winery, ever since the Zampa merger it’s also been made in Nashik. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Shiraz La Réserve has raked in a lot of very prestigious awards.

Price: Rs. 1000 |  Available in most cities in India

Charosa Reserve Tempranillo 2013

Tempranillo is a grape that I think works particularly well in India. Both in its ability to grow and to produce wines that complement most palates here. My favourite local expression comes from Nashik based winery Charosa. This wine balances wine and oak very well.

Price: Rs. 1500 in Mumbai | Available in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, AP. Soon in Delhi

Fratelli Sette 2012

Sette, meaning seven in Italian, is the premium reserve wine from the house of Fratelli. It refers to the seven ‘brothers’ behind the winery. Based in Akluj, near Pune, Fratelli Sette, a vintage reserve red wine is made from the best 1% of grapes from Fratelli’s vineyards. It is aged for 14 months in oak. Best to drink this wine after decanting it for at least half an hour.

Price : Delhi and Mumbai Rs. 1800 |  Available in most cities in India

Availability overseas: United Kingdom, Italy and Japan

York Arros 2013

Based in Nashik, York is run by bothers Kailash and Ravi Gurnani. Kailash is also the winemaker and he decides the blend that goes into the Arros based on the year’s harvest. The current 2013 vintage is a blend of Shiraz 60% & Cabernet Sauvignon 40%​ and has been described as ‘big, bold, fruity, and pronounced oak from a combination of French and American barrels’. Think Australia​ meets Bordeaux.

Price: Mumbai 1045 , Delhi 850​  |  Available in Maharashtra and Delhi

KRSMA Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Krsma Estates is based in Hampi. Yes Hampi. Founded Uma and Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Krsma currently produces 4 varietal-specific wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the only Indian wine currently available in a Magnum, 1.5 litre format bottle.

Price: 750 ml – Rs. 1500 & Magnum – Rs. 3500 | Available in Bangalore, New York & Maldives.

The Daily Dose 2015

A quirky label and an especially friendly wine. Conceptualised by Vishal Kadakia, who is also the man behind The Wine Park which imports some quality international wines. At Rs 750 it really fits the bill for a relaxing post-work drink. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Solapur region and made at a contract winery. Just 10% of the wine is oak aged to add some complexity and finish.

Price: Rs. 750 in Mumbai | Soon in Karnataka and Delhi