You know folks what is the worst form of buzzkill – having to refrain from enjoying and indulging at a party because you are the designated driver. There is nothing worse to be around people who are slowly shedding their inhibitions and fancying themselves dancers, singers, and stand-up comics (in that order pretty much) while… Continue reading Drink & be Driven
The French Fête de la Gastronomie
Appreciating good food and wine is an intrinsic part of being French. To this effect, it almost comes as a surprise that it is only recently the French have instituted a festival around this – Fête de la Gastronomie. This is the first but am sure the trend, once set, will only grow bigger in… Continue reading The French Fête de la Gastronomie
My take on Indian Custom Duty Reduction on Wine
First of all, thank you everyone for the overwhelming response to the previous entry; it wasn’t the number of people who responded that has me beaming but the fact that everyone was polite and said, ‘please’. Mums the world over would be so happy. Now onwards to the hot topic of the moment… So a… Continue reading My take on Indian Custom Duty Reduction on Wine
Indian Wine Imports Duties & Taxes Explained: Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka
Importing wine into India sounds like a lucrative business proposition. But if that is really the case, why have some companies shut down and so many others are struggling to stay afloat? Without further ado, here is a step-by-step explanation of the various stages of duties, taxes, and other levies that an importer has to… Continue reading Indian Wine Imports Duties & Taxes Explained: Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka
Austrian Must-Try Wines (MTWs)
I have blogged enough about Austria in general but it’s time for the real stuff, a few wines and the winemakers behind them. These guys sure know what they are they and how to go about achieving it. If nature speaks in mysterious ways, these people are like wind-whisperers, with senses more synced than those… Continue reading Austrian Must-Try Wines (MTWs)
Austria Sum-up – Wines & more…
Vievinum is a great national wine event to help the professional wine world get to meet Austrian winemakers and also to get to know their wines. Amateurs can have an equal amount of fun indulging in their own chosen way. What makes it most enjoyable is the setting: a 17th century palace for a backdrop can… Continue reading Austria Sum-up – Wines & more…
Respekt for Nature, Wines
“Everything in nature lives by give and take.” – Goethe This simple yet deep sentence forms part of the core beliefs of the Respekt group, a collection of winemakers, all Austrian (for now), who wished to depart from the more conventional ways of winemaking and shift focus back to Mother Nature. I cant resist asking… Continue reading Respekt for Nature, Wines
Austria VieVinum: Red Lessons from Austria
So, today was day one of Vievinum (actually it was preview of a preview but hey, I was there, I clocked time, so it’s a day) and I had a chance to indulge in some an absolutely fantastic tasting. The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), has a level of organisation that could make Swiss clocks… Continue reading Austria VieVinum: Red Lessons from Austria
From Bordeaux to Burgundy via Spain & Scotland
India is an upcoming wine market; not a day goes by without hearing about just how many countries want to export wine to us and how, next to China, we are their only hope of sending their kids to school. And we too wear these feathers with (false) pride, for in spite of the high… Continue reading From Bordeaux to Burgundy via Spain & Scotland
KRSMA Wines: The Jewel from Hampi, India
I would like to prize myself on having some superpower but, short of the ability to fly or to run through walls, I do reserve a small amount of vanity in reassuringly believing that I can make certain predictions about the future. I may not give the best of soothsayers a run for their money,… Continue reading KRSMA Wines: The Jewel from Hampi, India