Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Wine and Wine

Itching to write on wine for sometime now. Visited wine festival held in Bangalore few months ago. They had good collection of Indian wines. I looked forward to visiting it since I carried my memories of wine tour in California. There were wine tasting and grapes stomping and other activities. But as expected I did not find it too great.

Now its just because of my expectation that I was disappointed. Nevertheless, the fact that Bangalore was hosting the wine festival and that people are patronizing wines is good enough.

My experience has been a drive through the scenic Napa and Sonoma valley lined with acres and acres of vineyards and old mansions. Every vineyard has its winery that can be toured to learn about the grapes, its variety, how climatic conditions affect wine type; wine process and storage facility. Not complete without wine tasting sessions with good cheese and crackers.

Through the years, have learnt about different wine types and their specialty. My friends and seniors know whom to contact for an expert advice on wine :P Yeah weird source isn't it? I have an interesting anecdote as well. That story is for another time. Anyway if you need a recommendation on this elixir, you know now whom to ping! Here are some pictures from few of my wine tours.

Landscape dotted with rows of vineyards along the way.

 

On the left side too


 

A fitting statue; Liked why the grapes bunch is too important here. 


 Grapes ready for harvest


 Wine tour. A friend arranged for a private tour. This man was explaining how they choose the grapes and all that story; it was nice to learn a lot while sipping signature wine.


Wine processing units


Oak casks- they provide a distinct flavor to the wine as they mature


First glimpse of wine


An old winery at Sonoma valley


Aged casks


No description :)


More..


And more...


Posing in front of the wine bottles during one of my trip to Napa - me in 2007

 

34 comments:

  1. Had a lovely wine tour with you through your post. Nice pictures. Will sure wait for the story :)

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  2. But you said you did not build up expectation to get disappointed at the wine tour.

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    Replies
    1. Kitty,

      That was for the wine festival held in Bangalore :)

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  3. Wow! Lovely pictures! I once had a wine tasting tour in France. But never had a chance to stand and crush the grapes :( Would love to do that..
    I've done beer tour and whiskey trials too. So, if there's anything other than wine, you know whom to come to ;) (wink wink!) Don't know if there are any other such tours available - like rum / gin tour etc!

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    1. Thanks Vaish. Ha I somehow didnt want to crush those poor grapes :)

      Sure Sure, I will :P I have not heard of other tours. They do have tequila tours I believe..Hahaha these conversation sounds like "kudikkara gumbal" :P

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  4. Great tour you have given. Never been to winery though planned several times

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  5. Lovely write up and visuals on wine! Your last picture was very nice:)

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  6. Thanks,it is a very informative post.
    But,Bindu,why do they store wine at 15c?I have never found an answer to this.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Chowla sir. Aging of wine is due to chemical reactions and is affected by temperature. For harmonious aging, 13-15 c is best.

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  7. Great pictures there. I have always wanted to jump into that bucket where they crush wines! :)

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  8. B,in France, California , South Africa and other places wine making is part of the culture and traditions unique to districts and towns . As you know like Burgandy, Bordeaux, Cognac District, Napa etc. But in India it is now growing into a business proposition and not off shoot of any culture.

    But I read an article a few years ago in the India Today that Maharashtra and certain belts south of the Vindhyas are turning out to be great production areas of wine. Nasik being the main point. Honestly though no connoisseur of the ambrosia, I think and also endorsed by many that the "Grovers" and the "Sula" wines from Maharshtra are really good.. Especially the white wines.

    How many glasses did you devour by the way in those Wineries?

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    1. Anil,

      True, its surprising to hear that wine making business is booming in India. In fact, there are vineyards in few places just outside Bangalore. Yeah I heard Sula wines are good too.

      Oh! that I did not keep a count :P

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  9. Hmmm...for some wine now! Relished the visual tour :)

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  10. Tell me when you go to Scotland for a tour de whiske'! Tell me about the moors, about the ancient distilleries, about Glenlivet ...

    Wine doesn't come much my way :-/

    Tempting, lovely photos. The last photo - before or after the tour? ;-) You look so content!!

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    Replies
    1. Balan,

      Haaa I wish I could go soon!

      Lol! The photo was clicked during the tour. You mean before gulping or after gulping? Hmm...it was after but I didnt gulp just took one sip from 5 different types :D

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  11. seems I too should get a taste of it :D

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  12. Nice pictures. The last one the best.:)
    I remember visiting vineyards here in Cumbum. But no processing unit. They do allow us to go and visit the farm/

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    1. Thanks haha :)
      Didnt know TN had vineyards. Good to know the wine making business booming in India. Yeah, most of them dont have processing units, same in Karnataka too

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  13. I went to Napa valley too and loved my wine tour over there. This was way back in 2001. Did you visit that natural geyser there?

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    1. Yes, The Old Faithful of California at Calistoga. I have a post as well

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  14. Not a wine fan but I would love to go for such a tour.Thanks for the lovely pictures Bindu.You look nice in this picture:)

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    1. Kavita,

      Yeah, you will enjoy for sure though you arent a wine fan :)
      :P thanks; seems so long

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  15. I dont take wine but yeah have visited a few when i was in spain ..


    Bikram's

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    1. Bik,

      Hmm you are a whiskey and scotch man. :)

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    2. definitely I believe if we have to take in poison , might as well have a expensive one.. single malt :)

      Bikram's

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  16. Hey you have a lovely blog going! I can spot a lot of spontaneity too. I love this post on 'Wine & Wine' because to me 'Wine is Wine'.

    May I request you to click on some Wine Wisdom posted by my guest writer on my blog!
    http://dilipnaidu.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/our-guest-writer-on-some-wine-wisdom/

    And Cheers!
    Cheers! Happy blogging!

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    Replies
    1. Dilip,

      Thanks, yeah thinking about it Wine is Wine to me as well.

      Delete

I'd love to know what you thought :-) Please shoot!