Helix: A new twist to the old cork
Cork has always had a hallowed place in the wine world. There is a ritual to opening a wine bottle sealed with a cork – cutting the embossed foil, turning the corkscrew, pulling it out with a flourish and that…
New in the market: Chêne Grande Reserve 2010
Last night was the launch of a new red wine reserve from Grover Zampa Vineyards – the Chêne Grande Reserve 2010. The wine is a blend of Tempranillo (60%) and Syrah (40%) grapes grown on the slopes of the winery’s Igatpuri (in…
Blind tasting the Wines of India
Recently The Westin Pune Koregaon Park organised a wine event called Wines of India. The purpose was to bring together, on a common platform, all the Indian wineries and to blind taste their wines. 11 wineries – Sula, Grover Zampa,…
Welcoming the SETTE 2010
A few days ago I was at a wine tasting different from the usual. I’ve come to hate any event that claims to be a ‘wine and food pairing’. In the many I’ve attended in Mumbai over the last few…
World Malbec Day
So it’s World Malbec Day today and I asked Sommelier Magandeep Singh for a quick introduction to the purple grape. Here it is: Malbec is one of my favourite grapes and I sincerely believe that it needs to find its…
What’s Brewing in Mumbai?
I’ve been asking that question for long, and now there’s reason to be excited. As of a week ago, Mumbai’s first commercial craft brewers finally acquired permission to brew. How awesome is that! Get familiar with the trio behind the…
Scotch Malt Whisky Society launch in India
Last week the well-known association for malt lovers, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society was launched in Mumbai. The SMWS was set up in 1983 and now operates in 19 countries with over 26,000 malt-loving members. Ashwin Deo (founder of Turning…
Inside Asia’s Largest Whisky Bar
(Read the article at Luxpresso.com here) A few months ago Singapore saw the opening of the Quaich Bar at Resorts World Sentosa. The two-storey bar is spread over 8,000 square feet and has the title of ‘Asia’s Largest Whisky Bar’…
New in the market: Smirnoff Espresso
A new flavoured vodka was launched in Mumbai earlier this month – Smirnoff Espresso. I haven’t had a chance to taste it yet, but from what I’ve heard, most vodka drinkers have loved it. According to the brand, “Smirnoff Espresso…
Say hello to KRSMA WINES
A new winery is all set to enter the Indian wine market – Krsma Estates. Owned by Krishna and Uma Chigurupati, the winery is based about 70 kms out of Hampi, near Hospet reservoir. A long-cherished dream of the Hyderabad-based…
Riedel’s Cobra Verde decanter in India
Riedel Crystal, the 250 year old European brand credited with revolutionizing wine specific glassware, has launched a new decanter. Christened the ‘Cobra Verde’, the new launch celebrates the 55th anniversary of the opening of the Riedel headquarters in Kufstein, Austria,…
Chivas Regal Limited Edition by Rohit Bal
A new limited edition Chivas Regal packaging was unveiled recently, this one the brainchild of fashion designer and Chivas brand ambassador, Rohit Bal. The pack has his signature motifs of the lotus and peacock, accentuating ‘the essence of the brand which stands for…
Armageddon: World’s Strongest Beer (for now)
It’s always fun to see brewers try to one-up each other in their efforts to brew ‘The World’s Strongest Beer’. A heady title, that, and the latest to claim it is ARMAGEDDON. Scottish Brewery Brewmeister’s Armageddon beer has an incredible…
Restaurant Week India September 2012
Restaurant Week India is back! Now in its fifth edition, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore will be able to enjoy RWI from September 24th until the 30th. This time there’s a massive line up of participating restaurants across the three…
La Marathon du Médoc
September 8, 2012: Marathons are not my thing. But if there was anything likely to convert me, this would be it. La Marathon du Médoc in France weaves its way through 59 wine chateaux and it is customary to take a wine-stop…