While everyone has been smiling with a mug of beer in their hands, thanks to the Oktoberfest hangover, I’m getting ready to bring out my favourite wines. With the festive season arriving, there are bound to be parties and celebrations galore. On these special occasions, with drinking opportunities aplenty, why not opt for some good wines? Rosé, hands down, is my favourite wine. It’s also one that, in my opinion, adds a touch of drama and elegance to any gathering. It’s something to do with that colour, I guess; the alluring pink stuff, when poured into a glass, is irresistible.
Inarguably, rosé is also a crowd pleaser. Most wine drinkers enjoy a chilled glass of this delicate wine. And no, contrary to popular belief, rosé isn’t just apt for summer drinking. In fact, no celebration is complete without a rosé for me. I prefer to usher in my festive season with this wine, each year. I recollect being gifted a Mirabeau Rosé in London by a friend. I saved it up for a party here, last autumn. Its crisp acidity was surprisingly refreshing. The subtle hints of grapefruit, cherry, and orange blossom matched perfectly with most accompanying rich side dishes. We were all too sorry when the bottle was over.
The Chandon Brut Rosé in India remains an all time favourite, since it never lets you down. Refreshing and aromatic, it perks me up just any time, and even becomes the cynosure of all eyes at parties. Of course, there also are other hugely popular wines, which not just happen to be apt for the festive season, but also appeal to several palates. The light, cherry coloured rosé from the Art Collection of Grover Zampa is a bottle all of us cover. This light bodied, smooth wine is a delight at any special occasion. And no, not just the ladies, the gentlemen enjoy this wine equally — I can vouch for that!
Four Season’s Vintner’s Reserve red wine is yet another beautifully layered, complex wine, ideal for parties. Launched earlier this year, this wine is an intricate assemblage of the Cabernet Sauvignin and Shiraz varieties, grown in the Sahyadri valley. Meticulously nurtured and aged over two years in barrels, followed by two years of aging in barrels is what sets this one apart. I’ve been holding on to my bottle, but with the festive season calling for generosity, I will be pouring it out!
A glass of sparkling Shiraz definitely adds a sparkle to the festive season, making it an ideal inclusion too. A zesty white Reisling is my choice for a get-together with friends, lots of banter, and good food. The fruity and aromatic wine is light, appeals to my taste buds and rejuvenates me instantly. So, uncork the bottles and let the wine flow along with conversations, fun and merriment of the festive season. Cheers!
