Best Wine Brands in India: Best Indian Red Wines, Popular Wines in India

Sip & celebrate: How to drink well, spend less

January 30, 2023

In the second part of the article, here are some great value wines (under Rs 2500-3000) from my personal list of favourite international wines, for you to consider for your wine cellar

Still & sparkling

El Goru red, Spain

Have you tried a Monastrell from Jumilla DO in Spain? You may well have now, ever since the flagship red wine from Ego Bodegas (a pair of young producers who are reinterpreting ways in which wine is made and marketed) hit Indian shelves not too long ago. Not just affordable, this full-bodied red from a hitherto lesser-known but swiftly finding fame Spanish region) has found legions of fans. Ego Bodegas is also known for its eye-catching wine labels, and El Goru features a wild-eyed ‘mad’ man. Intrigued? Try it. Rs 2250 onwards.

Vina Pomal Reserva Rioja, Spain

Rioja is Spain’s premium, most historic wine region, known for its structured, long-aged wines, which often cost a pretty penny. If you’re a Rioja fan who bemoans the costs of buying a Reserva (the longest-aged, most premium Rioja) then worry no more. Vina Pomal, the flagship brand from top producer, the historic Bodegas Bilbaínas in Haro Station, offers a very affordable Reserva that is amazingly priced (all things considered). Classic Old World premium wine at a great price. From Rs 2890 onwards

Moulin de Gassac ‘Faune’ and ‘Albarans’, Languedoc, France

The latest vintage of Mas de Daumas Gassac‘s flagship wines was sold out in a jiffy, as word of the Languedoc superstar’s brilliantly-rated wines is no longer a secret. But fear not – their second range, the Moulin de Gassac, has several wines which are both affordable and available. My picks? The Grands Terroirs range red wine, Albaran (Cabernet Sauvignon + Syrah) and the mineral-rich white Faune (Viognier + Chardonnay). My guests have been impressed by their complexity when I popped open a bottle. Definitely worth stashing in your wine chiller. From Rs 2750 onwards.

Donafugata Anthila, Sicily, Italy

Those who know me well know I have a yen for trying new grapes, and new regions (read hitherto less-explored) and Sicily is at the top of my list now, headed by the pricy Etna DOC. Donafugata, a renowned producer, makes excellent wines in Sicilia DOC, and if you’re a white wine drinker, Anthila (dominated by Catarrato, a native Sicilian grape) must go down on your list as a must-buy. Fresh and fruit-driven, yet does not pinch your pocket. A pretty label, too. From Rs 2730 onwards.

Pater Sangiovese Toscana IGT Frescobaldi, Tuscany, Italy

Italian wine lovers know that Frescobaldi, the icon producers from Tuscany, are behind a range of stunning and high-end legendary wines (read Masseto, Luce, Ornellaia, Mormoreto). But this one, one of their entry-level offerings, is wonderfully affordable even as it ticks off all the boxes as a Tuscan Sangiovese classic. From Rs 2050 onwards.

Villa Sandi Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy

Bubbles – everyone needs some bubbles in their life – to celebrate, as a pick-me-up, or as that perfect aperitif. The Indian market has some excellent proseccos from top producers now, and one of my favourites is this one from 17th century Prosecco star Villa Sandi. The delicacy of flavours and freshness will really make you see stars – but not the price. From Rs 2701 onwards.

Frescobaldi Pater Sangiovese Toscana IGT

Metal Label Vermentino, Riverland, Australia

The friendly Aussie producer Berton Vineyards makes a wide range of varietal wines, of which my favourite is their award-winning Vermentino. This Italian white grape has not got the love it truly deserves, and this expression (with a cool pewter label) explores its flavours and does justice to the grape. A great party starter/first-course wine and very pocket-friendly too. From Rs 1940 onwards.

Zenato Ripassa,Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, Veneto, Italy

Love Amarone della Valpolicella, that amazing Italian red wine, but find it too pricey? Then pick up a Valpolicella ripasso, made in a similar style in the same region for a fraction of the cost. Like the Amarone, it is made by passing the Corvina-dominated wine over shrivelled sweet grapes from the Amarone process, so it also picks up the rich, juicy undertones, giving a wine that is juicy, and mouth-filling. And Zenato, a noted winery in the region, offers great bang-for-your-buck version. In other words, a great value wine. From Rs 4150.

Hugel Gentil, Alsace, France

Ah, Hugel. The Alsace superstars make some of the region’s most prized varietal wines – their single vineyard Rieslings can bring a tear of joy to your eyes. But the Gentil – a classic if rare Alsace blend of the five white grapes (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner and Muscat), finds the perfect balance in this wine, which has quickly become my go-to white for most occasions. And it is affordable too! From Rs 2861 onwards.

Bisol Belstar Cult Extra Dry Prosecco, Veneto, Italy

Another favourite prosecco by noted Prosecco specialist producer Bisol, the Belstar is one of their many iterations of the style, shows a delicacy of flavours and a fine-beaded mousse which gives it a luxurious profile. And if you like pink Prosecco (the newest style in Prosecco), Bisol also makes Jeio. From Rs 2650 onwards.

Fortified wines

Dows 20-year-old port, Douro, Portugal

I have visited the home of this wine – the beautiful Quinta do Bonfim on the banks of the spectacular River Douro, and marvelled at the beauty that is port. The Symington family, pedigreed makers of port and wine in Portugal are among the most famous port makers and own several port houses. And this 20-year-old tawny port, now available in India, delivers the greatest value: complexity and richness of flavour in one bottle of remarkable, long-aged wine.
From Rs 9900 onwards

Valdespino El Candado PX Sherry, Jerez, Spain

I usually favour a palo cortado or manzanilla sherry, but Valdespino is a respected name in Jerez, and PX sherries are altogether different from the dry sherries in style and flavour profile – rich, raisinated and luscious and at 17% ABV. From Rs 5995 onwards. (Maharashtra)

Justino’s Madeira Fine Rich, Madeira, Portugal

Justino’s is one of the original, historic shippers of Madeira, and this is a good way to understand the textured richness that is this very undervalued fortified wine. The Tina Negra grape (rather than one of the four noble grapes) gives this wine the rich oxidative flavours (cooked and dried fruit, caramelized nuts) that make it a delicious post-prandial serve. 19% ABV. From Rs 3500 onwards.

Check final prices (dependent on state taxes) with your local retailer.

Vintages are not mentioned as they vary as per importers’ stocks.

Main image: Pexels/IonCeban

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News & Views / Wine in India

India Wine Awards 2022: Sifting ‘the exceptional from the ordinary’

October 31, 2022

The growing number of entries for the India Wine Awards 2022 clearly underlines India’s new phase in its journey toward appreciating premium wine

Twenty-four days. That is how long it took for the India Wine Awards 2022 (IWA) to move from paper to tasting table. As Sonal Holland MW looked to grow her ‘baby’, the IWA, into a bigger, much more credible property, she met Thomas Schlitt – Managing Director, Messe Dusseldorf India at Vinexpo Mumbai in August 2022, and the idea of a collaboration was floated and finalised. Prowine India was scheduled to be held in Mumbai on 17^th and 18^th October 2022, when the IWA results would be announced at a gala awards ceremony. That meant there would be a vast quantum of work to be done in a very short time.

Just over three weeks later, fifteen judges sat around tables at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace and tasted and assessed 410 wines – the largest number of wines entered into an Indian wine competition to date, and a considerable jump up from the 320 entered in 2019.

The rabbit from the hat

I was honestly skeptical that Sonal Holland and her team would be able to pull off the execution of a national-level wine competition within a few short weeks. But they did. With just two months in hand – with tasks including getting sponsorships, prepping for the competition, and computing the results to planning the gala evening – they became “laser-focused.” Explained Holland, “We have been doing it for a few years, so the checklist is familiar. It is a lot of work, but we knew what needed to be done.”

On the morning of the first day of judging, Holland’s team – five people including Holland herself – showed few signs of the frenetic run-up to the big day – or that they had been working until 3 am the night previous slotting last-minute things into place. At 9.45 am, the first calibration wines were poured, and the IWA was off to a smooth, brisk start.

The IWA Jury 2022: From left (standing) Craig Wedge, Akshay Tripathi, Malay Rout, Viraj Sawant, Karan Vasani, Sumedh Mandla, Kevin Rodrigues, Pratik Angre, Jezan Limzerwala, Alok Chandra. Seated (left to right) Gauri Devidayal, Sovna Puri, Ruma Singh, Sonal Holland, Sujata Patil, Devati Mullick, Rojita Tewari

Big brands buy-in

Let’s backtrack a bit. The 2022 edition of the India Wine Awards was the fourth edition of the concept created by Sonal Holland, India’s first Master of Wine. With every edition, she has worked to refine the format, she explains. In its very first year, it was a trade-only event at the Sofitel, Mumbai, much smaller in scale. The second edition was larger, complete with masterclasses and the Excellence in Restaurant Wine Programme awards (soon to return to the IWA), where restaurants with the most creatively compiled and comprehensive wine lists were feted. The third edition saw international masters of wine come on board as judges of the restaurant awards. Then came the pandemic, and after a two-year Covid-driven hiatus as businesses began picking up, it was time for a re-boot.

“In 2019, when we held the last IWA, we were already growing fast. We had more nominations than ever before. Ian Harris, the CEO of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) had flown down for it – there were early signs that major international brands were getting interested. My vision from that time on was that IWA should go on to collaborate with an international body.” With international trade fairs Vinexpo and Prowein scheduled to enter India, it was time to go big. “Prowine India was interested in the India Wine Awards straight away. I was looking for a global partner and they were looking for a body that could collaborate and curate a high-end evening to inform and entertain along with food and drinks, with the crème de la crème of the industry in attendance. We felt this was a win-win partnership, one that would bring enhanced credibility to both.”

Another big brand to show immediate interest was the Taj Group of Hotels. Holland moved the judging sessions to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel in south Mumbai with plans for a calendar of follow-up wine events at its iconic Crystal Room in the coming months, as well as tying up the preferential listing of the winning IWA wines on Taj hotel wine lists.

The IWA team (from left): Anandita Anand, Arjun Moghe, Sonal Holland, Apoorva Aras, Madhura Pawar

The imported wine influx

Holland outlines the biggest difference that the 2022 edition had over the earlier ones: the increasing number of premium international wine brands that entered the competition – in fact, they dominated the entries. Unlike earlier editions, where entry-and mid-range wines found representation, this time the international trend for premiumisation was evident and reflected in the wines entered into the competition. “Quality wine dominated, and there was participation from every producer and importer present in the country, even those who normally do not participate in competitions,” she said.

Holland is very proud of the results. Of the 410 wines entered, 224 medals were awarded, which meant the 55% of wines were considered worthy of awards. The wines included still, sparkling, sweet, and fortified. Included for the first time were wines in cans (four won silver medals) showing the Indian market’s growing awareness of international trends.

“This was a truly deserving list of winners,” said Holland, “The 15 judges were the most highly qualified. The process was rigorous. There was a great sense of comfort and community during the tasting process and the re-tasting of the short-listed wines by the panel chairs re-validated the results.” In all, there were 30 Best in Show medals awarded (outstanding wines scoring 95 points and above), 77 gold medals (90 to 94 points), and 117 silver medals (85 to 89 points). (See the list of Best in Show and Gold medal winners below).

(more…)