The youngest quietest and also most reserved member of Wi-Not, Gagan is much like a young wine in that sense; you have to spend time with him before he opens up. A certified wine expert and mixologist, Gagan pursued his love for beverages Down under, doing his Masters in Hospitality Management (specialising in wines) from Victoria University, Melbourne. He reserves a soft corner for Australian reds, German Rieslings and Gewürztraminer. As much as he loves to experiment with new cuisines, he also has a taste for adventure – paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting, skydiving and playing golf. His interests include blogging, back to back movie spree, cooking for self and travelling. He is a music-fanatic and loves being left alone with his PSP. Beef steak and wine rate high on his agenda as also does a Bourbon and cola.
On a yet another shiny and a sun-bursting fine morning, the Wi-Not team tasted some selected Sud de France (South of France) wines. Here are the tasting notes.
Cremant de Limoux ‘Grande Cuvée 1531’ Sieur d’Arques:
Magan: Nice pale bubbly, an extremely expressive forward mineral-fruity nose. I can smell chalk and I can rarely smell that so the wine [...]
If Chianti or Brunello are the only wines you have heard of from Tuscany, then grab a wine glass and get discovering. Take a look at its rather less-heard colleague. Super Tuscans are the hidden gems of Tuscany that once almost replaced Chianti in its slack period.
Super Tuscans comes from the coastal area that lies [...]
Burgundy has gifted many world renowned wines from its pouch. However, the region south to it has another star to offer, the Beaujolais wines. These wines have always been the talk of the town for all the right reasons. Its distinctive grapes, unique production process, light wines in this heavy bulky wine style country, and [...]
The third Thursday of June every year is celebrated as “Aperitif à la Française” day all around the globe. A French wine and culinary fiesta allows the connoisseurs and amateur lovers to spend some quality time enjoying French products, all in an effort to highlight how French produce is considered one of the most commendable [...]
Nasik based Vintage Wines have been keeping the ‘desi’ wine lovers excited for all the right reasons. Their Italian winemaker, Andrea Valentinuzzi, with his idea of producing un-Indian wine styles is faring well. To this effect, they released their new gems on the 30th April in Mumbai. These Italian varietal wines, Nero d’Avola (red) and [...]
The most reputed red wines from the Italian region of Tuscany (Toscana) are the Chiantis (pronounced as ‘Ki-an-ti’). The wine stands for the tradition, elegance, and stature of the region as it has won them more accolades and fame than any other wines. The fame came not only from the wines but also from its [...]
If you put the two words, ‘ice’ and ‘wine’ together what strikes you as most odd? Wine on Ice! Well, if you enjoy it that way, why not!? But digressions aside, Icewines, as opposed to iced wines, are not that controversial a subject. This is a popular style of wine yet seldom talked about, at [...]
Geographically, the region of Alsace has changed hands more often than Kashmir ever will. It’s location has made it victim to many French-German territorial disputes. It was after the First World War that Alsace was declared a part of France. The influence of Germany nevertheless remains heavy to this day here and is visible in [...]
Some count it among their favourites while some simply choose to be distant acquaintances. But treat it as you may, Rieslings remain one of the most impressive wines and yet are regularly pointed out as the one of the most underrated of white varieties. Almost synonyms with Germany and next, Austria, Rieslings remain flourishingly dynamic [...]
As a part of the ‘Utsav!’ project, another wine session was held at the Australian Embassy in the capital. Set-up in an open-air area, the backyard of the high commissioner’s residence was soon crowded with the essential few of the trade, and wine lovers like us. As the evening unveiled, an exciting range of wines [...]
The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) and the Austrian Trade Commission joined hands to host the first official Austrian wine tasting in the country on January 22nd 2010, here in Delhi. Held in the lawns of the trade commissioner’s residence, the wines were uncorked and the evening was soon thronging with a mix of people: [...]
The concept of ‘Mulled Wines’ still remains foreign to Indian palates. Sadly, Mulled wine is a drink that is mainly formulated for cold/ice-laden countries where either the quality of wines made is low or appreciating a chilled wine is quite a task. It is an easy to drink-and-like beverage and is served hot and is [...]
There are brandies, and then, there is Cognac. Brandy is grape spirit procured by distilling wine. Brandies are produced in every part of the world. But, like Darjeeling Tea and Champagne, when these brandies come from a special region of France, named Cognac, and are made using specified grape varieties, namely Ugni Blanc-Folle Blanche-Colombard, and [...]
Family group of exquisite champagne houses G.H. Martel & Co. is one of the Champagne-makers and a wine co-operate business house from France. The company was setup in the 19th century in the Marne region in France and have been making and trading wines since then. Today, the company is a group representing seven [...]
Fizzy, Bubbly or however you may call it, Champagne has always been a sign of celebration and joy. To share some joy, Pol Roger, a well known and celebrated champagne house, conducted a guided tasting of their collection in Delhi at the Orient Express, Taj Palace Hotel, New Delh on their first visit to India [...]
