1.Vallonne Malbec Reserve

A juicy floral-fruity red wine with intense berry-spice notes. The oak is gentle and never masks the fruit.  Again, this winery is paving the way for Malbec to become an Indian staple.

2.York Sparkling Cuvée Brut

The York Sparkling is made of one hundred per cent Chenin Blanc, a grape variety that the wine house has always worked well with (their still Chenin Blanc makes for a lovely glass as well). The nicest thing about this sparkling wine is that the owners – the Gurnani brothers – have retained a fair bit of fruit while still managing to make a dry sparkling wine. This will be the Brut to beat in the coming year.

3.Sula Rasa

Because somewhere in India there is always a Sula being opened, safest to make it a Rasa then. The wine is big and oak-rich and makes no bones about it. Not for the faint-hearted.

4.Fratelli Gran Cuvee Brut

If you would like an Indian sparkling, would unhesitatingly pick up the Fratelli brut. Like dry wines and Fratelli is as dry and sparkling as you can get in India-with a delicate and creamy finish. You can even pair it with a cheesy pasta or risotto.

4.Alpine Vindiva Shiraz Reserve

A good expression of Syrah with plenty of fruit on the nose and palate. There have been some inconsistencies somewhere along the road but the wines are always well above average.

5.Myra Misfit

One very well-priced Reserve-level balanced wine with nuanced complexity. It drinks well straight out of the bottle (as in no need to decant, not that you can give the bottle lip service). Proceeds from the sale of this wine go to charity, in case you need another reason to go for it.

6.KRSMA Sangiovese

A very drinkable fruity red wine with body and length. This grape is India’s rising star and KRSMA does a good version, fruity and yet with some spiced richness.

7.Charosa Tempranillo Reserve

The only Tempranillo exploit out of India, and one good enough to take on Spanish Rioja. If this is a sign of things to come, Tempranillo stands to become a big Indian superstar.

8.Fratelli Sette

SETTE produced by Fratelli wines, based on Akluj, has been quite popular in many parts of india.  It gives you taste of vanilla and ripe fruits, which you can try with spicy dishes.

9.Charosa Selections Sauvignon Blanc

Some of the smaller, boutique wineries have come up with some very interesting wines in the last 2 years. Nashik-based Charosa seems to be good with its whites, offers a good Viognier and a great sauvignon blanc, should you be so inclined.

10.Grover Zampa La Reserva

A very drinkable wine, absolute crowd-pleaser. The first red wine that put India on the world wine map. Michel Rolland was crucial in helping put this Shiraz-Cabernet wine together. It’s made in both our winemaking states but, as always, prefer the Bangalore-origin stock over Nashik.