Indian top wines within Rs 2,000

TOP INDIAN ROSÉ WINES
The Source Rosé by Sula: The red fruit redolent Grenache grape finds splendid expression in The Source Rosé by Sula. The still, pale, coral-hued dry rosé is reminiscent of salmon pink wines from Provence. Its bright acidity and fleshy juicy palate pairs well with a wide variety of vegetarian dishes and from a lightly grilled fish through to tandoori prawns. Rs1,050

Chandon Rosé: Made from Shiraz grapes, it’s an enjoyable, well-balanced wine with expressions of cherry, red plum, and a hint of a creamy, spicy finish. Rs1,650

TOP INDIAN WHITE WINES
Charosa Selection Sauvignon Blanc: Virtually every Indian producer lays claim to a Sauvignon Blanc. Suffering none of the pungent, raw peppery notes of its ordinary counterparts, the Charosa Selection Sauvignon Blanc shines with ripe, fleshy notes of guavas and gooseberries, exuding a grassy mineral freshness. Rs950

H Block Chardonnay: York winery, a boutique operation, coaxes a Chardonnay from the terroir quite unlike any other in India. This delicious wine offers classic tones of citrus, balanced by the creaminess caused by the partial malolactic conversion (a process in winemaking in which tart-tasting malic acid naturally present in grapes is converted to softer tasting lactic acid) and a toasty integration from the use of French oak barrels in fermentation and aging. Rs1,050

Sula Chenin Blanc Reserve: Unlike most cloyingly sweet Chenin Blanc wines, the Sula Reserve is dry and oak-aged giving its complexity and a rich mouthfeel. The grapes are handpicked from Sula’s exclusive Dindori vineyards. The slightly matured examples have a developed nose of honey and smoke, making them rich and complex to taste. Rs850

Vallone Vin De Passerillage: Also on the list is a sweet wine made by the Passerillage method which helps the hand-picked and sun-dried grapes intensify in terms of the aromas, acids, and sugars. Gorgeous effusive notes of apricot, orange marmalade, and honey with a hint of spice; this wine is best served chilled with a plate of cheese or caramel custard. What a great way to end a fine meal! Rs1,500

TOP INDIAN SPARKLING WINES
Grover Zampa Soirée Brut: A high-glamour sparkling, golden straw hued wine, the Grover Zampa Soirée Brut has a complex nose of warm brioches and zingy dried apricots. It is versatile enough to be paired with mildly spiced cuisine, be it Indian, Chinese, or Thai. Rs 1,200

Casablanca Spumanté: Another sparkler on my list, this is a Prosecco-style, fruit-forward wine. Its slight sweetness is nicely offset by its vibrant acidity; is light-bodied and has ripe pear aromas with refreshing floral notes that linger pleasantly on the finish. Rs1,1200

TOP INDIAN RED WINES
Reveille Nero d’Avola: An impressive experiment with a Sicilian grape Nero d’Avola has been a winner for the Nashik-based Reveilo winery. Adapting quickly to India’s terroir and warm climate, the wine produced from the grape is rich, medium-bodied with a robust expression and a hint of rustic smokiness. Rs735

Good Earth Basso NV – Based in Nashik, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is a non-vintage wine, using blends from different years and puts them through new and used French oak barrels. The resulting wine is a full but supple, rich but round red wine with black fruit, vanilla, and toasty flavors. Rs 950.

Vallonne Merlot Reserve: Moving on to the limited editions, let’s begin with a label from Nashik-based boutique winery Vallonne Vineyards. With less than 1,000 bottles of the Malbec Reserve produced per vintage, this wine is a trusted dinner companion. Full-bodied with subtle velvety tannins, and lush texture, it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, robust curries, and even biryani. Rs1,320

Fratelli Sette: India’s most admired red wine made by a distinguished Italian winemaker, this blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon expresses its Tuscan-inspired personality with savory, earth notes with red fruits, a hint of chalky minerality and vibrant acidity. This red wine has been aged in French oak barrels for over a year, giving it an elegant structure. Rs 2,000

KRSMA Estates Reserve Syrah: Another limited-edition, this time from premium boutique winery KRSMA located in the Hampi Hills, is a study in elegance. The Syrah has an expressive bouquet of red fruits with distinctive notes of black pepper and perfumed violets on the nose. The oak-aged wine has finely grained tannins that help the wine slide down your throat, impeccably. Rs2,000

KRSMA Estates Cabernet Sauvignon: This is an Indian wine set for the international stage. Classic notes blackberries, black cherries from premium fruit, the richness of sweet spice and vanilla, a bold robust palate with a long cedar finish. Unmistakably, Cabernet Sauvignon. Rs2,000

SDU Reserva Syrah: From the Nandi Hills in Karnataka and the estates of SDU winery, grape-grower-turned-wine-producer, comes to a smooth and complex Syrah that often impresses judges at blind-tasting competitions. Their Italian winemaker has made a remarkable supple, medium-bodied, wine with round tannins and a clean finish. Rs2,000