About Ruma Singh

After over a decade as a journalist with one of India’s top newspaper groups in New Delhi and then Bangalore, it was time to move on to do my own thing. Maybe even write a book (easier said than done). But first, I wanted to start my own website, writing about wine, a newly discovered passion. Although I continue to write for several noted select publications on the subjects of wine and food, I have had a yen for creating my own little space.

My interest in wine developed gradually over several years, and the Bangalore Wine Club, India’s oldest,  then in its infancy, played a major role. Here, I learned a lot, especially during my year as president (2008-9), accompanied by four other women, each of them super-accomplished. (Were we the first ever all-women’s committee for any wine club anywhere? I’d like to think so!)

The learning over the years has been organic: tasting, appreciating, discarding and picking up little nuggets along the way, even as the new India wine story has itself been developing. Travel was also a great teacher – some memorable journeys have been made to Italy, Spain, Austria, England and many, many of France’s wine regions. (Still, so many wine worlds to conquer!) Now, after some wine exams (the WSET Diploma in wine, WSET Level 3 in spirits, and the French Wine Scholar, all with merit/ highest honours), a bunch of on-the-job tutelage and meeting some of the amazing people that the wine world inevitably throws into the mix – from vintners to doyens of the world’s top brands – I am hooked. I love the mystery of uncorking and discovering a little more about the living, breathing thing that is wine.

And the advantage: there is always so much to learn. The world of wine is a growing thing, much like wine itself. New stuff happens all the time – new regions discovered, new market trends, new tech discoveries. And now climate change. As Steven Spurrier once said to me during an interview, “There is no such thing as an expert on wine. There is something new to learn about it every day. Each one of us is a beginner.”

With this blog, I am putting down my thoughts, my experiences, my interactions with people from the world of wine and food, and my exposure to the subject. Here will be articles, features, interviews, travel to wine regions, memorable wine and food experience. Along with comments and opinions. And plenty of India perspective as well. There’s so much to talk about here. And my views in my articles and blogs are much like myself – very, very independent and totally honest.

Meanwhile, my journey in wine education continues in parallel as I continue my studies on wine. I am constantly seeking to learn new things, soak up new information via whatever means available to me.

Still so much to learn…

My family – husband and 2 sons – are very supportive. On the plus side for them, they are my guinea pigs – whether trying out new wine styles and grapes, going on the occasional busman’s holiday.  Of course, they might agree – there are advantages of having a wine writer in the family – how many youngsters can start their wine journeys tasting vintage champagnes from top champagne houses, or classic Brunellos sitting right in lush, Tuscan vineyards?

I constantly seek inspiration and new learning. And ways to share that passion with India’s Gen Next. I have hope that one day, the talent in India will make its presence felt. Soon!

Ruma Singh is a former full-time journalist, now a full-time writer and columnist on wine. She also dabbles in writing on food, travel, and interviewing fascinating people with something to say. She also writes features and columns for a bunch of wine, travel and food publications like Glass of Bubbly, Sommelier India, Mint Lounge, The Hindu Weekend, Atout France and a handful of mainstream publications and wine websites with whom she feels an awesome synergy. She is also a wine blogger right here in her own little domain, Between the Wines. She’s dabbling with the audio-visual with a new fun wine chat series on YouTube: Talking Wine with Ruma Singh. Mostly, she is constantly thinking – what next? 

Ruma is also a member of the London-based Circle of Wine Writers. This is especially inspiring for her as several of her wine heroes – critics, educators and writers – are part of this group. She also judges national and international wine competitions.