Wine & Dine

Till a while back, for a party in the city to pack in a punch, it had to boast of a well-stocked bar. That would often translate into a handsome variety of whiskies (Scotch mostly) for the men, besides a varied cocktail selection for the ladies.

Then came the wines and with them, the chic liquor stores that mushroomed all over the city. Going by the way it has caught up at the city's social dos, the city seems intent on inculcating a flair for wines. "Apart from wine and cheese soirees, an increasing number of people ask us to serve wine at parties, weddings and even celebratory functions at our banquets," mentions Taj Chandigarh's sales manager Sandeep Makroo.

The selection of wines too is no longer just restricted to reds or whites. "Sparkling wine is fast becoming popular and organisers often ask us to serve them with an extensive list," adds Makroo. At the recently held pre-Valentine's bash hosted by Montblanc, the German luxury label that houses a boutique in the city, the city's swish set swirled their reds and raised a toast with their choice of white wines.

"With most of us working on weekends, wine offers the perfect sip," mentioned entrepreneur Aman Gupta, who admits to being "as fond of hard drinks" as he is of wine. For a city that's raised many a Patiala pegs, wine is no longer seen as a lady's drink either.

"Wine sales have only increased with each passing year and young adult drinkers, both genders, have much to do with that," says Nitin Mehta, owner of Aqua, a high-end store in Sector 7, Chandigarh, that stocks on imported wines and spirits. Of course, the market is still immature, but Mehta says there's a keenness to explore and try out new varieties. Indian wine labels like Sula and Grover are also fast gaining popularity because of their friendly pricing. "Wines are becoming popular gifting options, specially imported ones," he adds.