In vino veritas: Here's how you can experiment with different flavours of wine

Slow and steadyRahul Hemmady sommelier ekaaindiaI recommend beginners start with wines that are less acidic in nature like chardonnay for whites and merlot for reds Build your way up to more foodfriendly and wellbalanced acidic wines that have some age worthiness For those looking to experiment try a white port and tonic or pineau de charentes and tonic with a splash of soda These lowABV alcohol by volume cocktails offer a slow steady buzzMy pairing recco Food pairings are chosen according to the setting and the company but if yoursquore feeling adventurous try a New Zealand sauvignon blanc or a German riesling with spicy gol gappas The wines beautifully contrast the chilled minty and spicy water in the gol gappasWhite port and tonicIngredientsgtgt 120 ml tonic watergtgt 60 ml white port winegtgt Orange slice or lime wedgegtgt 30 ml sodaMethodPour 60 ml of white port in a glass with ice cubes or a clearwater ice block Add 60 ml tonic water and a splash of soda 30 ml to tone down the tonic waterrsquos bittersweet profile Squeeze an orange peel over and around the rim or top it with a lime wedge and a mint sprig For large gatherings use a ratio of 221 for white port tonic water and soda in a pitcher and serve chilledFruity funVidita Mungi proprietor Rhythm Winery rhythmwineryThe bitterness of the grapes is usually what throws people off when theyrsquore new to wines To add to that the serving temperature for full bodied red wines often doesnrsquot sit well with Mumbairsquos temperatures A fun way to begin your journey can be by exploring wines made using mangoes jamuns and kiwis These are acidic lightweight wines that are served chilled If yoursquore looking for a sweet and spicy twist indulge in a mulled wine that packs a punch of flavourMy pairing recco If yoursquore a fan of tandoori bites like chicken tikka seekh kebabs and chicken tikka make sure you pair them with a light bodied highacidity wine that will cut right through the spicesMulled wineREPRESENTATION PICIngredientsgtgt Red winegtgt 4 cups apple cidergtgt 1 orange gtgt frac14 cup honeygtgt 4 whole clovesgtgt 2 cinnamon sticksgtgt 3 star aniseMethodCombine all ingredients in a deep saucepan and mix Heat on mediumhigh heat till the mixture comes to a simmer Turn the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a lid Let the mixture simmer further for at least 15 minutes Serve the drink hotPair it rightFay Barretto mixologist mrbartenderandthecrewIf yoursquore already a wine enthusiast find a nice label learn the story behind it It can make for a memorable story to share with friends and family For those on the fence about wine a New York sour with a hint of shiraz would be the perfect introductory cocktail Therersquos also midnight in New York featuring bourbon lemon and grenadine syrup and manky panky featuring shiraz fernet raspberry liqueur and blood orangeMy pairing recco Riesling and chicken curry pinot noir and burgers sauvignon blanc and grilled vegetables As a handy guide remember that white wines pair with spicy and salty dishes bitter wines pair with fatty food and sweet wines pair well with salty foodMidnight in New YorkIngredientsgtgt 30 ml bourbongtgt 30 ml shirazgtgt 15 ml lemon Juicegtgt 75 ml grenadineMethodPour the ingredients in a shaker Shake well and serve in a Nick and Nora glass