A Wine Curator And Consultant Tells Us The Best Homegrown Wines Under INR 2,000

2489 Interested |
52K  Views

Being someone who naturally gravitates towards wine when it comes to alcoholic beverages, I do believe there's a lot of misconceptions and lack of knowledge when it comes to what to buy, and why. So, to help you, (and myself) I chatted with Apurva Gawande, a graduate in Wine and Management from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, who is also a passionate wine consultant and curator to help us bust a couple myths, and recommend the best homegrown wines under a budget! Here's what she had to say:

The wine world is full of myths and misrepresentations. A commonly purported myth is that the more expensive the wine, the better the quality. The other troublesome and popular myth is that Indian wines are inferior in quality compared to imported wines. The coupling of these myths makes most Indians shy away from buying Indian wines or end up splurging on imported wines, which may not always be premium in quality.

Here's a list of some top-quality Indian wines, under INR 2,000.

Fratelli M/s Rosé

Fratelli M/s Rosé

Fratelli M/s Rosé

1250

If you ask us, Sangiovese makes a pretty great rosé. This wine reveals a fresh and dry expression of the Akluj terroir, with a luscious backbone of red cherries, cranberries, raspberries and sour cherry. It sport’s a pretty pink colour and this delicious-smelling rosé boasts of freshness, which is well balanced by its refreshing acidity. You can enjoy it as an aperitif or pair it with a summer salad.

Availability: Pan India 

H Block Chardonnay

H Block Chardonnay

H Block Chardonnay

950

If buttery creamy Chardonnays are your jam, then this wine from York Winery is a must try. Aged for six months in French oak barrels, this wine is made in a rich style showcasing hints of vanilla, cream and butter. Giving the wine character and depth are notes of citrus and stone fruit aromas, along with crisp acidity.

Availability: Pan India 

KRSMA Sauvignon Blanc

KRSMA Sauvignon Blanc

KRSMA Sauvignon Blanc

1200

A boutique producer, tucked away near the picturesque town of Hampi, KRSMA Estates was founded in 2008 and is now ranked as the forty-sixth Best Vineyard in the World! This is a wildly expressive and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, that shows off a lovely combination of citrus, tropical and herbaceous aromas. Well balanced, with notes of passionfruit, citrus peel and guava. There's a hint of grassiness, and the wine finishes fresh and clean with some notes of minerality.

Availability: Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa.

Vallonné Vin de Passerlilage

Vallonné Vin de Passerlilage

Vallonné Vin de Passerlilage

1800

The Vin de Passerillage, a dessert wine from Vallone Vineyards, is made from 100% Chenin Blanc. Here healthy ripe grapes are harvested and then allowed to dry in straw houses. As the grape dries, water evaporates and its natural sugar concentrates. The resultant wine is deep in colour, with high sugar levels. It’s a full-body wine having high acidity and delicious aromas of melon, citrus, honey and apricot. This wine is available in 375 ml bottles only. If you are a fan of sweet wines, grab a bottle of India's finest sweet wine, produced in Nashik’s vineyards.

Availability: Pan India 

Grover Zampa Art Collection Cabernet Shiraz

Grover Zampa Art Collection Cabernet Shiraz

Grover Zampa Art Collection Cabernet Shiraz

785

Bursting with mixed notes of black currant and blackberry, this medium-bodied Cabernet-Shiraz from Grover Zampa is a crowd pleaser. The catchy label by Sanjay Bhattacharya aims to portray the depth and perspective found in the wine. Floral notes of violets, a touch of Mediterranean herbs, and a hint of pepper are displayed on the nose. Fruit chimes back in at the back of the palate supported by soft fine tannins. A fantastic value-for-money wine.

Availability: Pan India 

Sula Rasa Zinfandel

Sula Rasa Zinfandel

Sula Rasa Zinfandel

1540

If you are a lover of a big bold juicy red wine, then this one’s for you! While Sula is known for its relatively affordable and easily-likeable wines, this Zin is here to impress. Crammed with an array of juicy blueberry, blackberry and redcurrant aromas alongside pretty violets and notes of vanilla, clove, chocolate and pepper, this Zinfandel is vibrant and plush with a textural, almost creamy mouthfeel. Medium-bodied with soft tannins, it’s a great way to end your day.

Availability: Pan India 

img-user-diana-viegas-598666642700
550 Followers

An opinionated fashion & beauty writer who follows a strict pros & cons framework for her recommendations; loves discovering new fashion trends, writing & recommending them, while constantly keeping a pulse on what’s the latest that’s happening in the lifestyle space. Writer & editor with 4 years of experience that’s also always on the lookout for their next cup of coffee and book.