2nd PUNE WINE TASTING FESTIVAL 2008

The 2nd Pune Wine Tasting Festival 2008 organised by the Pune Gourmet Club was held on Dec. 13 & 14, 2008 at Rohi Villa in Pune's exclusive suburb of Koregaon Park.India's only wine tasting festival modelled on international events held in California, Australia and Europe offered the visitor the opportunity to taste some of the best wines crafted in India including prize winning ones and reserves. Wine enthusiasts were also offered a tasting of Seagram's yet-to-be-launched Rose.

13 of India's finest wineries werewell represented with their entire range of wines. Century Wines of Baramati who won many fans with their delightful Zinfandel in the 2007 festival came with their new offerings.

Chateau d'Ori who won a sliver medal at the India Wine Challenge for their Cabernet Merlot 2007 debuted with their entire range but alas not their prize winner which had sold out. Chateau Indage poured out their Marquise du Pompadour by the fluteful while Diageo & Four Seasons filled stemware with their whites and reds. Nine Hills didn't stint with their exclusive Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon Reserves. Nira Valley brought their Celeste range & Sula's late harvest Chenin Blanc found many new fans. Tiger Hill left their pugmarks for the future and Vallee de Vin's Paul Bailey held forth at an exclusive wine tasting session. Vin & Vouloir delighted their fans with their award winning Rose. Vinsura gave generous tastings of their entire range from Chenin Blanc to Zinfandel including their sparkler. Vintage's Reveilo Reserves drew oohs and aahs and they sold out their entire stock. There were Merlots, Chardonnays, Reserves, Sauvignon Blancs and Zinfandels. A wine for every palate.

Each visitor was wristbanded, given a wine glass, a wine guide & a pen and let loose on the lawns of the majestic Rohi Villa to imbibe to their fullest. The ambience was relaxed, casual and festive. Parag Kanhere held court with his hugely popular 'Cooking with Indian Wine' shows while Clive Castellino and Sujata Patil walked visitors thru wine appreciation sessions. We even had wine festival souvenir tee shirts and aprons. Silk Route served Teppanyaki and the PGC stall sold kababs and even grilled lobsters! There was a Tapas Bar with a wide selection to suit every palate and preference from veggie to seafood.

The huge lawn of Rohi Villa was dotted with gazebos. Visitors could walk around and sample from each and every stall. Seating was under umbrellas and tall palms. Many wineries gave away freebies from wine glasses to buy one get one free. There were smiling faces all around. The festival attracted nearly 2,000 wine enthusiasts not just from Pune from as far as Mumbai and Aurangabad.