With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it might help to consider the effervescently wise words of famous British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming: Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.
On that heady note, consider making a beeline for Pune that shall host its 8th Wine-Tasting Festival this year on February 14 and 15. Wine sampling and decadent food tastings aside, there is a plethora of activities lined up for wine activities, from dancing and shopping to grape stomping (a new entrant this year). After several glasses, guests can fortify themselves with over 15 varieties of cheeses, monster pizza slices and pockets from Bubster's, while a fondue counter will offer melting Emmental and Gruyere.
The brainchild of wine enthusiast B. Shankaranarayan, the Pune Festival was born in 2007 with 700 participants and 10 wineries. Dismayed by the abysmal state of the wine industry after his return to the country, B.Shankaranarayan decided to present a concept to a group of wineries in Nashik. In spite of being laughed out for his ideas of free tastings, he decided to explore the idea. Today, after eight successful years, the festival only continues to grow with this year offering new samplings of domestic wineries such as Charosa, Dios, Reveilo, Oakwood, Grover Zampa and Myra.
The festival shall also see the debut of De Vineyard, a nouveau wine store by wine maker Dr Rajesh Rasal. Tasting passes are priced at Rs 500, and can be used on both days for six wine and food tastings.
Before you book your tickets, consider these five things that according to B.Shankaranarayan Indians get wrong about wine.