I say "Wines for summer" rather than "summer wine" as the latter phrase has become somewhat hackneyed: the lyrics of the 1960s number "Strawberries, cherries and an angles kiss in spring ..." is not only dated and trite, it's also misleading and irrelevant in the Indian context.
So while the West celebrates spring in April, in India we've jumped from a mild winter straight into the heat of summer: temperatures in most metro cities are in the mid 30s, and sales of air conditioners, ice creams and white wines have taken off.
Actually, what fits the bill for sipping on a warm evening is a chilled white or rose - or even a sparkling wine that's not too bubbly (what the Italians call a frizzante). The wine could be dry or demi-sec but must be aromatic and not too alcoholic - something to 'beat the heat'without going under, since our drinking habits are to have an extended aperitif or three with the canapes before a late, late dinner (the infamous piye piye khaye khiske syndrome).
The problem with drinking wines during our hot summer is that unless a wine meets the various criteria above, it can actually put you under: most white wines now have an alcoholic strength of 13.0 - 13.5 per cent v/v and tend to be dry (that's the fashion) - and drinking a warm vinegary spirited libation is not my idea of a good time.
One solution would be to have rose' wines: these are neither red, nor white, but something in between - and consequently a very much neglected wine category. Rose' wines meet all my criteria for summer wines: they are aromatic, low alcohol, and easy-drinking, and can be had either as an aperitif or with a variety of cuisines, from Indian to Oriental and even continental. While there are few imported Rose' wines available, most Indian producers now have one: Sula, Grover, Four Seasons, Nine Hills, Big Banyan, et al. If you haven't yet had a Rose, do buy and try, making sure it is well-chilled - in Bangalore the Grover Shiraz Rose' is at Rs 530 while their Sante Rose' is Rs 340 - others from outside the state are at Rs 595/600, although the Madera Rose from Sula at Rs 295 is worth a flutter.
Wines I've been Drinking:
I keep coming back to Krsma Estates, whose wines are likely to be released soon in Bangalore - the Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 will be Rs 1,500, while their Sauvignon Blanc 2012 will be Rs 750. I quaffed the latter at Olive Beach in Bangalore recently along with owners Krishna Prasad and Uma Chigurupati - while it was a bit too crisp at start, the wine kept improving in bottle and emerged as hugely aromatic, with good acidity and balance, and an intense and long finish. This is one of the few white wines I would recommend be decanted for at least one hour; better-still, have a glass today, put it away in the fridge, and see how the wine is tomorrow - I guarantee you'll be in for a big surprise.
So while the West celebrates spring in April, in India we've jumped from a mild winter straight into the heat of summer: temperatures in most metro cities are in the mid 30s, and sales of air conditioners, ice creams and white wines have taken off.
Actually, what fits the bill for sipping on a warm evening is a chilled white or rose - or even a sparkling wine that's not too bubbly (what the Italians call a frizzante). The wine could be dry or demi-sec but must be aromatic and not too alcoholic - something to 'beat the heat'without going under, since our drinking habits are to have an extended aperitif or three with the canapes before a late, late dinner (the infamous piye piye khaye khiske syndrome).
The problem with drinking wines during our hot summer is that unless a wine meets the various criteria above, it can actually put you under: most white wines now have an alcoholic strength of 13.0 - 13.5 per cent v/v and tend to be dry (that's the fashion) - and drinking a warm vinegary spirited libation is not my idea of a good time.
One solution would be to have rose' wines: these are neither red, nor white, but something in between - and consequently a very much neglected wine category. Rose' wines meet all my criteria for summer wines: they are aromatic, low alcohol, and easy-drinking, and can be had either as an aperitif or with a variety of cuisines, from Indian to Oriental and even continental. While there are few imported Rose' wines available, most Indian producers now have one: Sula, Grover, Four Seasons, Nine Hills, Big Banyan, et al. If you haven't yet had a Rose, do buy and try, making sure it is well-chilled - in Bangalore the Grover Shiraz Rose' is at Rs 530 while their Sante Rose' is Rs 340 - others from outside the state are at Rs 595/600, although the Madera Rose from Sula at Rs 295 is worth a flutter.
Wines I've been Drinking:
I keep coming back to Krsma Estates, whose wines are likely to be released soon in Bangalore - the Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 will be Rs 1,500, while their Sauvignon Blanc 2012 will be Rs 750. I quaffed the latter at Olive Beach in Bangalore recently along with owners Krishna Prasad and Uma Chigurupati - while it was a bit too crisp at start, the wine kept improving in bottle and emerged as hugely aromatic, with good acidity and balance, and an intense and long finish. This is one of the few white wines I would recommend be decanted for at least one hour; better-still, have a glass today, put it away in the fridge, and see how the wine is tomorrow - I guarantee you'll be in for a big surprise.
Alok Chandra is a Bangalore-based wine consultant