Gagan is much like a young wine in many senses; 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 squash. 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.
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 Champagne [...]
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 [...]
Not many wine-enthusiasts in this country would know about the characteristics, grape varieties, and origin of Icewine, or even what it is, in the first place. Time has come then to introduce the magical potion to the citizens of this sweet-loving country. What would be better than tasting delicious and yum Icewines (not iced-wines) in [...]
Wine clubs today are like termites, coming up in the country out of the wood work, spreading almost like a crop of infected mushrooms. But sadly not all of them are so utterly hallucinogenic. Recently another one made its footprint appear and time will show how this one matures. However, this one was just that wee little [...]
The success of ‘The Big Fat Indian Tasting’ was good enough motivation for the Wi-Not team to attempt Round Two, as promised. The venue and idea of the tasting remained the same, a silent walk-around tasting at the Sevilla Restaurant, The Claridges, New Delhi. A total of 43 wines from 8 different wineries were put [...]
Wi-Not, India’s professional wine consultants, were visited by Loire Valley wine maker Madame Pontbriand of Chateau Des Vaults and offered to taste her wines with us.
The first International Food and Drinks Expo, a one-of-its-kind international expo was held at Hall 11 of Pragati Maidan Exhibition Grounds between the 2nd and 4th of December, 2009. The endeavour of UK based company, Tarsus Exhibition and Publishing Limited, was supported by many luminous of the trade and media. The main support was provided [...]
Spanish Food and Drink Industry Federation (FIAB), Food & Wines from Spain, Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural Marine Affairs (MARM) along with the Spanish High Commission in Delhi organised the first ‘Discover Spanish Taste’ event. Predominantly a Spanish food, gastronomy and wine (of course!) promotion event was held at Taj Mahal Hotel, Mann [...]
Silent-walk-around tasting of Indian wines conducted by Wi-Not Beverage Solutions Private Limited. This was done to experience and learn more about Indian wines.
