India is a land of festivals and celebrations all year round. But it is the winter months that are extra special with the weather at its best and a string of festivities that start with the auspicious Navratri days, followed by Dussehra, Diwali, Eid , X-Mas and a grand wrap up to the year with the New Year’s Eve. The Nouvelle Annee, further resets the festivities to start all over again, albeit a little sporadically than the year-end months.
Festivities also mean get-togethers with family and friends where food and drinks play a very important part. And when it comes to drinks, Wine has found an increased acceptability in Indian menus though it may still be way behind whisky and other spirits.
It is precisely this increased interest towards wine that has sparked my annual efforts to shortlist some wines suited well to the festive season. The aim has been to create awareness about some inspiring and affordable wines available in the Indian market that you might like to buy for yourself, or your near and dear ones to usher in the festivities with a flourish.
Before you read further, I would recommend a recap of my last year’s post that also lists out some considerations for gifting wine.
It is pertinent to mention that this year, things have been quite uphill for wine importers due to delay and changes in the Excise Policy, particularly in New Delhi. As a result, it took a lot of effort to arrive at a final list of recommendations based on the availability of the respective wines on the retail shelves. It’s no point recommending something that you cannot buy right?
The other main considerations for this list of recommendations to evolve have been:
- All the wines must have been tasted by me more than once.
- The wines should be available in at least two major Indian cities.
- The wines should be within an average wine consumer’s buying reach.
- Wines with colourful/special festive packaging.
- An equal mix of quality Indian and Imported wines.
Hope you will find the list useful. For downloading convenience I have detailed the wines on separate image cards. Please feel free to download your favourites by right clicking (PC) and long press (Mobile).
Have a joyous festive season!
*All prices indicated are ex-Delhi, unless indicated otherwise.
* Wines are listed in the order: Sparkling-White-Rosé-Red.
Indian Wines
Imported Wines
