There is a slight chill in the air and there is no better time to come together with friends and family over dinners and of course, vino. The landscape of wines in India has not changed much in terms of new offerings since last year, but the quality of our wines is getting better by the day. It’s always difficult to put together a top list of wines, so I’ve made a list that I would not hesitate serving at a party and I am sure you’ll enjoy them too.

Chandon Brut NV, Nasik

Pale straw yellow to a golden hue with fine bubbles. Bright and fresh marked with apple, pear and citric profiles with subtle notes of bread and brioche. Creamy texture, balanced with a zesty acidity.

York Winery H Block Chardonnay Single Vineyard, Nasik

This wine expresses notes of lemon and citrus to the nose. The palate has crisp acidity from the grapes that are attained naturally, thanks to the cold winter nights. Partial malolactic and barrel fermentation followed by ageing in French oak for six months, adds complexity to this wine and supplements the buttery textures that come naturally from Chardonnay grapes.

JCB No. 47, Akluj

From the sandy soils in Motewadi, the wine has prominent mineral notes with aromas of green apple, tropical fruit and brioche. It is rich in the mouth with great texture, yet dry and beautiful to pair with Indian cuisine.

York Sauvignon Blanc, Nasik

This wine is the perfect blend of tropical fruit flavours and grassy characteristics that are typical to this grape variety. The wine displays flavours of green apple, papaya, mint, lemon, asparagus and capsicum.

Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection White, Nasik

Straw-yellow. Quintessence of peach, honey and dry apricot aromas with floral notes and hints of vanilla from the French Oak integration. Rich and powerful with long persistence, finishing on fruity notes.

The Daily Dose Sauvignon Blanc, Ahmednagar

This light-bodied & fruity wine offers tropical fruit aromas on the nose, with a combination of freshness balanced with delicate fruit flavours of passion and pineapple on the palate.

Fratelli Sette, Akluj

The end result of a great fusion of the concentration of Cabernet Sauvignon with the fine, elegant floral notes of Sangiovese. The pleasant and refined notes of wood are well merged with the wine, adding to Sette a balanced vanilla flavour, which is typical of French oak barrels.

Grover Chene Grande Reserve, Nasik

With subtle and elegant notes, the nose opens up to ripe dark fruit aromas such as blackberry, currant and ripe plums, complemented by hints of spices and well-integrated oak bouquets such as vanilla, liquorice, chocolate and roasted coffee beans, with nuances of vanilla and cinnamon on the palate.

Oakwood Reisha Grand Cru Cabernet Shiraz, Solapur

This wine has a complex palate with intense oaky flavours of vanilla pods, chocolate, wet wood and cigar. Red and black fruits flavours subtly compliment the wine. The robust tannins give the wine a great structure with a long finish.

Sula Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon, Nasik

Aged in premium French oak barrels for over a year and then further matured in the bottle before release, makes this wine elegant, velvety smooth and perfectly balanced.

Good Earth Basso, Nasik

Medium-bodied, ruby red in colour, Basso hints of blackcurrants and pepper. A pleasant whiff of toast gives way to touches of plum and blackberry. Oak and fruit find an equitable and pleasing balance

Krsma Estates, Syrah, Hampi Hills

The rich red fruitdriven bouquet of the wine subtly unveils layers of dried rose petals and spice undertones. Lush and opulent flavours of ripe blackberries, dried blackcurrant and mocha on the palate, with a characteristic lingering black pepper spice note balances well with fine-grained tannins.

The Source Grenache Rose, Nasik

The Source Grenache Rosé has a pale coral hue with inviting aromas of white peach, citrus and tropical fruits. With a luxuriant mouth feel, bright acidity and an elegant finish, this dry rosé is the perfect wine for all occasions.