By Subhash Arora

The Champagne Indage group brought India on the world wine scene with its Marquis de Pompadour 'Champagne' more than 20 years ago. (Back then, it was possible for them to call their sparkling wines 'Champagne'. The EU has made sure it is no longer possible!). The company rode on the popularity of MDP because this was the only decent sparkling wine that was available and the export version 'Omar Khayyam' had carved a niche in the international market. Controversy generated by the grapes used (most people felt the company was using Thompson seedless grapes, which was always denied) actually proved to be helpful.

In a different, more serious, avatar, Ivy Brut has been a big improvement on the original. Made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Muscat grapes, the straw-coloured bubbly, packed in a transparent, colourless, Champagne-shaped bottle, offers more in terms of aromas, flavour and after-taste. (MDP, by the way, came in a green, opaque bottle.)

The mousse, or froth from bubbles, is better; the sparkling wine is tangier on the mouth and has a longer after-taste. It is a distinctly dry, fruity, New World-type sparkler. The bottle's labelling style, in fact, is a visible indicator the change inside.

Serve it chilled at 6 degree C. Drink it as an aperitif with, cheese, grilled food, salads and Indian snacks. It also lends itself to excellent cocktails like Mimosa and Bellini. Priced at Rs 560 in Delhi, Ivy Brut is marginally more expensive that Sula Brut, which is sold for Rs 550, whereas the MDP comes for Rs 570.

For more details, visit the company's painful site www.chateauindage.com. It seems to have been made by their web designers for other designers and not for ordinary mortals.