Wine new drinking water in Delhi

Wine is the new water in Delhi. Are you drinking enough?

Delhi is liking its wine. The city, on an average, is sipping 60 bottles of premium European reds and whites everyday, a bubbling boostu00a0 from the meager 10 bottles that were consumed just a couple of years ago. But sommeliers feel that's not enough, since we are not yet carrying the bottle home.

So to raise our awareness, experts are planning wine appreciation sessions and even schools. "India is a non-wine drinking nation and we don't expect it to guzzle wine by the litre. It has started to appreciate the drink but it is still restricted to hotels and restaurants. Indians treat wine as a foreign liquor that's to be enjoyed only with special meals. It has to come into Indian homes and be opened on weekends for friends and family," said Fabio Piccoli, heading an EU-funded drive to popularise European wines in the country.

While a few years ago, names like Barolo, Brunella, Chianti and Amarone raised hackles at most dinner tables, these Italian wines are very popular today and are being ordered regularly by Delhiites even with Indian meals.

We love Italy

Delhi likes Italian wines over the more expensive French produce. "White wines compliment north-Indian spicy flavours. And Italian wines are affordable yet offer premium quality," said sommelier Magandeep Singh at a wine education session at Hotel Sheraton.

However, the lofty price tags of imported wines are still a problem. "If at a five-star hotel or restaurant a diner can order a peg of the best whiskey, Johnnie Walker, for Rs 350, why will he prefer to drink a not-so-premium wine for Rs 900? The taxes have to be reduced," said Singh.

The next hurdle is awareness. While well-placed Delhiites will not hesitate to order a wine at a restaurant, their choice may be guided by the price. Showy Delhi believes the higher the price, better the wine. Very few are aware of the best food and wine combinations that can enhance the flavour of a meal. "I don't judge Indians for their ignorance. This was the case with Americans 20 years ago. Today the US is the biggest market for Italian wines. To imbibe the culture of wine-drinking in India, we are planning to support wine appreciation schools where other than service industry professionals, even connoisseurs will beu00a0 able to pick up the nuances of the drink," said Piccoli.

So, let's raise a toast!