Wines From India

Over the years people have addressed me as a wine journalist, writer, judge, Cavaliere, sommelier, vino, wine promoter, importer, educator, consultant and some even think I am from the hospitality industry, with a recent journalist even dubbing me as a wine warrior. But I would best describe myself as a wine evangelist- with a difference.

The FreeDictionary defines an evangelist as an occasional preacher, sometimes itinerant (one who travels from place to place, especially to perform work or a duty) and often preaching at meetings in the open air. Shifting the thoughts away from the gospels, it also defines an evangelist as any zealous advocate of a cause - and this precisely defines my role and vocation in the wine space.

Many times people mistake me for a sommelier-which I am not. I have not undergone any formal wine training and do not profess to know the difference between tar and sweat of leather in wine. I am even uncomfortable when sommeliers talk of cat’s pee for describing Sauvignon Blanc as it reminds me of our late Prime Minister Morarji Desai who besides drinking his own pee, was also a prohibitionist. With an electrical engineering degree from one of the most prestigious engineering colleges- IIT, Delhi with work experience and Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from the University of Minnesota in USA, I hardly had time to pursue such vocation.

However, I did a lot of self-study and indulged in wine as a hobby, passion which seems to have become a religion; interestingly, I was a teetotaler before. I made several visits to wine shows, tastings, read books, mags and even catalogues and surfed the newt a lot and with over 10,000 wines through my palate, not to mention a taste of over 250 grape varieties and over 30 visits to many wine producing countries, I did pick up the basics of wine and the excitement that it bring to life and the lifestyle, not to mention the healthy impact of moderate drinking.

From the Heart of a Wine Evangelist - Delhi Wine Club

Over the years people have addressed me as a wine journalist, writer, judge, Cavaliere, sommelier, vino, wine promoter, importer, educator, consultant and some even think I am from the hospitality industry, with a recent journalist even dubbing me as a wine warrior. But I would best describe myself as a wine evangelist- with a difference.

The FreeDictionary defines an evangelist as an occasional preacher, sometimes itinerant (one who travels from place to place, especially to perform work or a duty) and often preaching at meetings in the open air. Shifting the thoughts away from the gospels, it also defines an evangelist as any zealous advocate of a cause - and this precisely defines my role and vocation in the wine space.

Many times people mistake me for a sommelier-which I am not. I have not undergone any formal wine training and do not profess to know the difference between tar and sweat of leather in wine. I am even uncomfortable when sommeliers talk of cat’s pee for describing Sauvignon Blanc as it reminds me of our late Prime Minister Morarji Desai who besides drinking his own pee, was also a prohibitionist. With an electrical engineering degree from one of the most prestigious engineering colleges- IIT, Delhi with work experience and Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from the University of Minnesota in USA, I hardly had time to pursue such vocation.

However, I did a lot of self-study and indulged in wine as a hobby, passion which seems to have become a religion; interestingly, I was a teetotaler before. I made several visits to wine shows, tastings, read books, mags and even catalogues and surfed the newt a lot and with over 10,000 wines through my palate, not to mention a taste of over 250 grape varieties and over 30 visits to many wine producing countries, I did pick up the basics of wine and the excitement that it bring to life and the lifestyle, not to mention the healthy impact of moderate drinking.

Blog: From the Heart of a Wine Evangelist - Indian Wine Academy

The shares of the company spurted to 0.57 per cent from the previous close on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Mohit Khattar, the gourmet food retail chain's managing director was quoted saying by the media that Nature's Basket started as a fresh fruit and vegetable chain in 2005, but now also sells food products including breads, pastas, meats and wines from India and abroad.

Khattar further said that Nature's Basket was doing exceptionally well in Mumbai in 2009-10 and that has given them the confidence to expand thier operations further.

Full Story: India: Godrej to increase retail presence - FreshPlaza

The shares of the company spurted to 0.57 per cent from the previous close on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Mohit Khattar, the gourmet food retail chain's managing director was quoted saying by the media that Nature's Basket started as a fresh fruit and vegetable chain in 2005, but now also sells food products including breads, pastas, meats and wines from India and abroad.

Khattar further said that Nature's Basket was doing exceptionally well in Mumbai in 2009-10 and that has given them the confidence to expand thier operations further.

Full Story: Godrej to increase retail presence of fruits & veg - Commodity Online

Bulli No. 1 to Take Sabb...

After a successful participation at the Hong Kong wine show last November, the Pune based Indian Grape Processing Board formed last year by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, is taking a group of eight producers to the 30th edition of the London International Wine Fair being held on May 18-20.

This is the first participation on a collective platform in Europe by wineries from India which is the latest of the many wine producing countries emerging onto the UK market, who are exhibiting at the LIWF this year.

Full Story: IGPB takes Indian Wineries to LIWF London - Indian Wine Academy