We Recommend

Valiano 6.38 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016

In a country like India where only the low-end, ubiquitous Chianti docg rules the roost and at times perhaps Chianti Riserva, we are fortunate to find not only a few better quality and more expensive Chianti Classico labels but Valiano 6.38 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione docg 2016, the highest denomination in the whole of Chianti region since vintage 2014, offers a good opportunity to drink at affordable price for the discerning Italian wine connoisseurs, writes Subhash Arora

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Think Amarone (Cesari), Drink Ripasso (MARA)

Despite a vast majority of Italian wine aficionados loving Amarone della Valpolicella, it is Valpolicella Ripasso that would suit most Indian palates and pockets and Mara Ripasso from the Guido Cesari Winery in Valpolicella is an excellent choice, says Subhash Arora who recommends the wine for people who are in the process of trading up on Valpolicella-basically a pizza and pasta wine.

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Satori: Oldest Red Label from Sula separates Quaffs from Premium Wines

Unknown to most wine drinkers, Sula introduced red wine labelled as Satori in around 2002-3 by importing from Chile and bottling in Nashik and then started experimenting with grapes it grew and finally settling for Tempranillo-Zinfandel blend which at Rs. 650 a bottle in Gurgaon, stands in the middle of the low-ended and premium wines and is also an affordable, quaffable wine that still has a loyal fan following, writes Subhash Arora who is not averse to a couple of glasses at the Delhi Golf Club occasionally

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Sula: RASA shines brightly in New Avatar

Sula has recently introduced the improved version of Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel with modernistic, chic packaging, with RASA Cabernet and Zin being in the Bordeaux style bottle and Syrah (Shiraz) in the wider Burgundy bottle design- claiming entry into the Indian world of high-ended top wines, keeping prices about the same, with the wine in its new Avatar shining better than ever, writes Subhash Arora

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Mundusvini Tasting: Tres Picos from Borsao in DO Campo di Borja-a Wine Nugget

At a Masterclass organised by Mundusvini during the last day of judging courtesy Wines of Spain (ICEX), which was very educative with 6 wines from the relatively new DO of Campo de Borja showcased, including Tres Picos from Borsao imported by Agnetta International in Gurgaon. This is an area offering the best of Garnacha from Aragon region, writes Subhash Arora who was one of the international judges attending the Masterclass and loved the wines poured at Vinothek Par Terre

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We Recommend: Sula Dindori Reserve Viognier 2018

With November being the Indian Wine Day (Nov. 16) month, we feature an Indian wine and what better to recommend than what we tasted at the Kimono Club where we Charles Donnadieu, the Corporate Sommelier of The Lalit Hotel partnering Indian Wine Academy for the Indian Wine Day, and I insisting on an Indian wine and finding Sula Dindori Reserve Viognier 2018 a perfect match for the various dishes we tasted, writes Subhash Arora

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Ward Valley Marlborough Duo of Sauvignon and Pinot Noir

New Zealand has carved out a beautiful niche for its perfumed Sauvignon Blanc and fruity and nuanced Pinot Noirs but usually they are quite expensive for the customer due to higher taxes too but recently I tasted Ward Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Marlborough and found the price very reasonable for the fine flavours, says Subhash Arora who recommends the duo for any wine lover but especially a novice or teetotaler

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CESARI Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG

For those interested in full-bodied, powerful wines and lovers of Amarone, Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella docg offers an excellent option at a higher retail cost of Rs. 8,000 writes Subhash Arora who has always liked the wine imported by Hema Connoisseur and is happy to note that their 2015 vintage just won the Grand Gold and won the Best of the Show Trophy for an Amarone

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Devaux D Quality Champagne Decent Price

Champagne is the unchallenged king of bubbles and the best way to enjoy it is at a champagne brunch in a few of the 5-star restaurants of which Pullman Aerocity is one of the top ones serving unlimited Champagne Devaux D which, made from the Blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and second fermented in the bottle for 4 years after a year of base wine, is anyway a delicious, creamy champagne worth its value, writes Subhash Arora

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Rose Gold from Soma Vine Village

Soma Rose Gold 2017 made from Zinfandel grapes by Soma Vine Village, offer a very easy drinking wine any time during the day and especially in a warm weather in Mumbai, it is very refreshing and crisp and can also match a majority of foods or be imbibed as an aperitif, writes Subhash Arora who feels it is a great buy at Rs. 650 but available currently only at the winery and Maharashtra

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Celebrating Life with NOI from Fratelli

Before releasing their J’NOON high end sparkling wine costing Rs. 3500, Fratelli Vineyards, quietly released their low end ‘NOI’ aimed at young, new and women wine drinkers who love Prosecco or other sparkling wines which are off dry (over 12 gms residual sugar/liter), writes Subhash Arora who believes that at the retail price of rs. 850 in Delhi and even lower at Rs. 850 in Bangalore and Mumbai makes it an excellent value for money sparkler

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Domaene Gobelsburger GruVee Kamptal 2016 but Conditions Apply

Gruener Veltliner, also known as GruVee in its short and easily pronounceable form, is an excellent white wine from Austria and produced by Domaene Gobelsburg in Kamptal and imported by Aspri Spirits and Wines, is an excellent white wine for connoisseurs at Rs. 1898 in Bangalore; but the price is rather high in Mumbai and Delhi (Rs.3810), writes Subhash Arora

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Mionetto Prestige Cuvee and Vivo Rose Spumante

Thanks to the growing popularity of Prosecco, a wider choice is available now in India but unfortunately the prices are not always commensurate with quality in many cases, though Henkell-owned Mionetto makes good quality Prosecco and with the prices hovering around Rs. 1700 a bottle, all the 3 variants in the market make a very good choice, with the Prestige Cuvee being my personal top favourite

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Fratelli Vitae Chardonnay 2015

Although Chardonnay has not done well as a varietal at most Indian wineries so far, Fratelli has been able to produce a quaffable Chardonnay but the Vitae Chardonnay introduced in 2104 is one of the fines white wines produced in India and though slightly expensive for the price tag of Rs. 1500 for an Indian label, it is highly recommended for discerning white wine lovers who are not too price conscious, writes Subhash Arora who feels it is an outstanding value-for-money quality wine

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IVFEx 2017: Aah Taj! Wah Taj! Quintessentially Indian Taj!

During his visit to India last month to attend wine events organised by the International Vine and Food Experience (IVFEx 2017) in Hyderabad , Delhi and Mumbai during which John Salvi MW also visited Nashik, giving him opportunities to visit 5 different properties of the Taj Hotels group which impressed him and left a lasting impact, he writes

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