The good thing about writing on wine in a country which is still a nascent market is that one gets to revisit the shelf again and again to see how things are coming along. Thus, what would pass as a strong habit, bordering on addiction, can be underwritten as an earnest effort to merely keep oneself well informed of what’s happening in the wine world. We still don’t have the concept of vintage in India, which means that even the top wines will more or less taste similar, no matter which year they are made in. Part of the reason for this is that we don’t store wines long enough to see a marked difference show up, but the other reason is that very few wines are made in a manner to exhibit individuality over uniformity. Nevertheless, the quality of wine produced in India has been going up steadily over the years, as wineries get better at what they do.Here then are my top picks of red wines – some are properly cellar-worthy while others will pack a mean punch wrapped in a silken glove.

With all of them, I recommend decanting for a good part of an hour (if not two) before serving.A big brooding boisterous red, the kind that makes steaks melt. The fruit is present but sits beneath the oak which impart rich chocolate-coffee-toasty primary notes. With a name like Chêne (French for oak) one wouldn’t expect anything else.A very complex reserved wine, layered and structured. This wine needs decanting —minimum 2-3 hours but if you can manage 4-5, even better — and then it evolves into an elegant full-bodied wine.A very drinkable fruity red wine with body and length. This grape is India’s rising star and KRSMA does a good version, fruity and yet with some spiced richness.The only Tempranillo exploit out of India, and one good enough to take on Spanish Rioja. If this is a sign of things to come, Tempranillo stands to become a big Indian superstar.A very drinkable wine, absolute crowd-pleaser. The first red wine that put India on the world wine map. Michel Rolland was crucial in helping put this Shiraz-Cabernet wine together.

It’s made in both our winemaking states but, as always, prefer the Bangalore-origin stock over Nashik.The most iconic red in India, one that definitely ages well. Cabernet normally doesn’t do great in Indian soils but this one is quite the anomaly. Also available in Magnums which will age even better.A juicy floral-fruity red wine with intense berry-spice notes. The oak is gentle and never masks the fruit.  Again, this winery is paving the way for Malbec to become an Indian staple.best french wine regions mapA red that shows an impressive breadth of flavours but not heavy or daunting at all. buy dream line wineMostly Shiraz but also Cabernet, the philosophy for this blend is guided by one simple principle: only the best estate wines go into it.best us port wine

Another serious and worthwhile expression of Cabernet Sauvignon (I already mentioned that India generally makes below average Cabernet S.). This is a balanced wine, decent fruit and then honed further with barrel ageing.A good expression of Syrah with plenty of fruit on the nose and palate. There have been some inconsistencies somewhere along the road but the wines are always well above average.One very well-priced Reserve-level balanced wine with nuanced complexity. best ever wine cakeIt drinks well straight out of the bottle (as in no need to decant, not that you can give the bottle lip service). best red wine brands india priceProceeds from the sale of this wine go to charity, in case you need another reason to go for it.dry red wines in orderBecause somewhere in India there is always a Sula being opened, safest to make it a Rasa then. best wine regions france

The wine is big and oak-rich and makes no bones about it. Not for the faint-hearted.Top 10 Brands of Red Wine in India A decade earlier, ‘Indian Wines’ and ‘Indian Wineries’ were words that seldom got into our ears; people didn’t even know that India had vineyards. However, there has been a tremendous change in the Indian wine industry lately. As of now, the Nashik region in Maharashtra and Karnataka are regarded as hotspots in India. best wine french or italianThough, the Indian wine industry is quite young and immature, but it is evolving and thus being recognized in India and the world over.best bc wines 2014 H2: List of Top 10 Red Wine Brands in India Grover La’ Reserve offered by the Nashik-based Grover Zampa Vineyards may not be the costliest red wine one gets in India, but it offers just enough spiciness and long aftertaste to live up to your senses.

It is aged in French oak barrels that offer it a distinctive oak flavour. Very much within the buying range of most people in India, a 750 ml bottle comes around Rs. 800 only. Following are the main brand heads of Grover Zampa Vineyards in India: Chairman – Kapil Grover CEO – Sumedh Singh Mandla Director – Ravi Jain Operations Director – Neeraj Deorah Following are its social media details: This is also a product of Grover Zampa Vineyards. Its major feature is its colour – deep ruby. It won the 2013 Hong Kong International Wine Award and bagged a Bronze medal at the 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards in the U.K. It is among the costliest red wines available in India. It gives a mixed flavour of berries and plums with tinge of spices. It is stored in oak barrels from which it gets a distinctive flavour. One can have it with a wide array of dishes such as stews, pastas, roasts and grilled vegetables, and even rice! It is a 2010 vintage wine and 750 ml costs almost Rs. 1,700.

From the collection of Fratelli Wines, based in Akluj, SETTE is one of the leading brands of red wine in India. It got a Silver medal at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards in the U.K. It has a citric taste that can be found in ripe fruits. It also has a smidgen of vanilla, which is evident from its taste. It is a very good companion of spicy Indian dishes. It is a 2009 vintage and 750 ml costs around Rs. 1,650. The brand heads of Fratelli Wines are the Secci brothers, Andrea and Alessio from Italy, along with the Sekhri brothers Kapil and Gaurav and the Mohite-Patil brothers Ranjitsinh and Arjunsinh from India. It is a vintage wine produced by Reveilo Wines. Its colour is a combination of purple and deep red. This wine may not have won any major awards but people do prefer this because it has a fruity taste and a full body. It also has hints of pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg that further enhance the taste. Aromas of leather, spice and dark fruit with the 14.5% strength, this proves to be a real "fruit bomb".

Lamb-based preparations go well with this wine, which is a 2005 vintage and costs near about Rs. 1,345 for 750 ml. Rasa Shiraz won a wine award in 2010 and is produced by the well-known Sula Vineyards, which is based in Nashik. Its aroma is fruity and lively. It is also thought to be one of the best brands of Indian red wines when it comes to export. Normally, Sula produces only 1,700 cases of this wine, which makes it a collector’s item. Its taste is complex and goes well with experimental food and barbecues. One can also have soft cheese with it. It is a 2007 vintage wine and 750 ml costs Rs.1,175. This is supposed to be one of the finest products of Four Seasons Vineyards and is regarded as a masterpiece. It is a full-bodied dry wine and does not taste sweet. Four Seasons makes this wine at their plant that is located in Baramati, Maharashtra. It taste is like an amalgamation of spices and ripe blackberries. It goes very well with red meat, mushroom and barbecued food. Matured cheese also tastes nice with it.

It is a 2009 vintage and comes around Rs. 900 for 750 ml. Following are its various social media details: Dindori Reserve Shiraz of Sula Vineyards Dindori Reserve Shiraz of Sula Vineyards has been successful at the Sommelier India Wine Competition in 2009. It has a taste like that of lush berry and it can be described as a full-bodied wine. It goes best with lamb dishes and hard cheese. It is a 2007 vintage wine and 750 ml is worth approximately Rs. 850, which makes it one of more economic options. La’ Reserve is yet another offering from Grover Zampa Vineyards. This too is a full-bodied wine and has strong taste to go with a spicy smell. One can get tastes of chocolate, coffee beans and vanilla. This wine goes very well with soft cheese as well as kebabs and biryani. It is a 2010 vintage and highly affordable at almost Rs. 800 for 750 ml. This is a product from the Seagram’s brand that is primarily reputed for its whiskeys. It was awarded at the 2007 Indian Wine Challenge.