A perfect melting pot for wine enthusiasts, grape growers and wine producers, the Bangalore International Wine Festival 2010 held on the 10th and 11th  of April 2010 was not just pleasurable but an enlightening event for its nature. Organised at a grand scale and valor for the first time in South India this festival was definitely a breath of fresh air for those in the Karnataka wine business to have experienced it closer home. A rich variety of national and international wineries showcased their wines across 40 stalls under a single roof. These exotic wine stalls accompanied with delicious food and cheese stalls, wine accessories, marketers and most prominently our very own wine portal (www.thewineclub.in) stall created an inclusive wine milieu at the festival. Besides all the wine hoopla, visitors were enticed with free gifts, fun contests, grape stomping competitions and a sequence of engaging performances through the entire weekend at Palace grounds, Bangalore.

Premised on the idea that wine is unlike other alcoholic drinks, the event opened up at 1pm on the 10th of April. Shantakumari Sundar,the Karnataka Wine Board-Chairperson acclaimed, "Wine is a healthy drink, if enjoyed moderately it leaves drinkers with no hangover." With this heartening note on the opening afternoon,the pepped up participants took little time to pick up their business goblet. Embellished with white and violet drapes, the venue on entry was an absolute stunner. The venue was distinctly divided into two areas;lounging and networking that made it a great space for business with pleasure this summer. Wineries from across the globe with a dominance of Karnataka based wineries like Kinvah, Big Banyan, Naka Wines and Indus Wines were present. Wine marketers like Wine Baron, Aspri Spirits and Wine Dynasty also present were geared with spunk. Whereas popular wine names like Seagram's Nine Hills, Jacob's Creek and Grover wines were obviously the instantaneous crowd pullers at the venue.

I began my wine tasting endeavour the moment I stepped in like most amongst the 16,000 enthusiasts who graced in during the weekend. My personal favourite at the event was the fruity Kinvah Cabernet Shiraz that was full-bodied with rich overtones of plums and berries. Another flavor that conspicuously caught my interest besides the obvious bigwigs was the Indus Rose Wine that was medium dry with light floral flavours. My tasting glass looked flushed with a lovely crimson shade as the wine was poured into it. As I scanned through the stalls, I was beginning to realize how fabulous the peripheral offerings were. I found a cigar shop that sold exquisite cigars from across the globe and several accessories that fit a cowboy persona. I found popular cheese from Britannia as well as unusual cheese from Bangalore-based La Fromagerie. EAGM Glassware showcased their fine wide-ranging collections of wine glasses and glassware was a fine exhibit. I however was simply spellbound by the Wine Club stall. Not only did they have a unique offering of a web portal that was displayed on big screen but they also pulled crowd toward their custom-made wine accessories like glassware and books to t-shirts and wallets.

As if this wasn't enough to keep us occupied, the Cosmic Meltdown event management team lured us to interesting and educative seminars on Wine and Food pairing, everything about Indian Wine, basics on marketing Indian wine and so on. On the other hand they constantly surprised us with frivolous vanities like lucky draw gifts of wine bottles. They enticed most of us to join in the wine-quiz and some to even gobble up lots of sweet grapes. Wine Club successfully did their bit of charming crowds into giving in and dirtying their linen for a grape stomping contest. "I accidentally bumped into the festival. But it's a pleasant surprise. I am enjoying every glass of wine and loving the festive energy here" said Sussane D'Souza, a tourist from California. Entertainment performers from across the globe were present at the festival from Russian Ballet to Brazilian Samba Dancers to out very own Desi free-style dancers. Some of the leading percussionists from the city like Hamsadhwani and Ramesh also performed to a remarkable audience at the outdoor lounge area. Fashion shows showcased by the city’s favourite designers like Amita Sharma hit the ramp with their latest clothing lines and effortlessly enthralled the audience.

As per the Karnataka Wine Board estimate, nearly 900 cases of wine were sold at the festival during these two days wherein each case contains 12 bottles of 750 ml of wine. Free-flowing wine and a happy mass surely emphasized on the growing opportunities available in the state and the country. Opening doors to much more business and many more flavours was the highlight of the event. Mr. Jayakumar; Senior marketing executive at Naka winery in Bangalore exclaimed, "The festival is an eye-opener for wine makers, fruit cultivators and wine lovers alike." All local wine merchants recorded encouraging business at the two-day festival. "We're getting good response from the crowds. Visitors are very adventurous and want to taste different kinds of wines," said Sunil Doshi, manning the stall of Kinvah Wines.

The Bangalore International Wine Festival was definitely the first of its kind. It reckoned a fresh beginning. It assured better business opportunities amongst the South-based wineries. It opened a new arena for wine as different from just an alcoholic drink. Wine can now be dubbed a health beverage that is good for one's heart. How heartening for a nascent business like the business of wine. 

by Ashiqa Salvan