Wine Anyone?

machadinha · Jul 22nd, 2008, 05:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by federica

Isn't Daman and Diu a place where people from Gujarat buy their liquour?

Yes, or just to visit bars there. They're a (formerly Portuguese) Union Territory, so the Gujarati rules don't apply here. The good news is booze is cheap here to boot. (The bad news is if you're a tourist here, you'd better find something else to do than laze on the beach on weekends and holidays to avoid the drunken crowds who come tourist-watching. Or in Diu in any case, I've not visited Daman.)

Quote:

I think you can forget about the regular glass of wine in the evening, it's just not the right place there. You might feel like a drug addicted constantly busy to get the wine as it is not easily available....

Good point, the thought had struck me yes. Going to India and certainly to Gujarat, it may be best to get out of that "I need my drink every so often" mindset, and then just savour the moment whenever the occasion comes your way.

It (with perhaps some regional variations and exceptions) is just not much of a drinker's country as such, although obviously those who can afford it may keep their cabinets filled or frequent the five-star hotel bars. Even a cosy neighborhood bar like you may be used to may be hard if not impossible to find (and again, won't exist in Gujarat), although word has it this is on the increase in the major cities. If they would meet my notions of "cosy" (as well as affordable, and don't the two often go together) I'll believe when I see it. What you will more commonly find in some areas is some gloomy darkened hole where you can hang out with the other (overwhelmingly male, of course) sinners that you are, can be fun actually if you're up for it.

Outside of Gujarat and perhaps some other places, you could easily stock up at the local wine shop (again: on usually anything but wine) to take home though. Another thing is a beer and certainly in a bar may easily set you back a night in a cheap hotel room so to speak, with regional price variations it's just relatively expensive.

(Note: All this just from my observations and recollections of course, I'll be glad to have other connoisseurs contradict me or tell me nice pubs are everywhere now.)

Brisso · Jul 22nd, 2008, 06:09

I doubt in 2008 Gujurati society will be bothered by a gora drinking - they themselves flood into Dui every weekend.

My view is stock up, be discreet, ignore the permit and consume in your own home.

puchoo · Jul 22nd, 2008, 12:25

I dont remember the prices offhand but agree that its a good choice as well..

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Chantilly isn't bad either, and is cheaper than sula

Anastasia · Jul 23rd, 2008, 23:08

Thanks again for all your advice and comments. I had quite a giggle about cozying up with all the other sinners! Don't we always have the most fun?! But seriously, is it really considered terrible to drink alcohol? What is the basis - is it a religious reason? Pardon me for being ill-informed. I would just not want to offend anyone and am interested in respecting as much of the native culture as I can.

Boy, will I fit in? Enjoy good wine, and I also found out cycling is not a regular passtime here. Both of us are avid cyclists and runners - plan on bringing the bike, (but covering the spandex of course) and found that there are parks for running, which is good. Suppose we could do a bike road trip to the new wine country! Pretty funny....

Cayle · Jul 23rd, 2008, 23:37

It is possible to get decent red wine if you look. chances are, if you ask other expats, someone will know. I've taken a liking to Big Banyaan.

Stay away from "Port Wine" and Napoleon in particular. The propreitor of a roadside "wine store" (bar) handed me that when I told him that I wanted to try an Indian red wine. Calling the stuff hooch would be charitable.

edwardseco · Jul 23rd, 2008, 23:56

Quote:

Calling the stuff hooch would be charitable.

Amen..

capt_mahajan · Jul 24th, 2008, 00:18

Quote:

What is the basis

Gujarat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Some misguided group of souls started this absurdity for this reason.

By now, there are 'economic' factors, like corruption, in the game.

Ashish Agrawal · Aug 26th, 2008, 03:32

Anastasia

As such, India does not have a much of a wine culture & on the top of it, Gujarat is an absolute no no.

Though legally banned, liquor is easily available in gujarat through bootleggars, but at a premium.

The level of service is to the extent that you can order it over the phone & it will be delivered to you at the doorstep, all this but at the premium.

Normal beer & whisky can be arranged by a Auto-rickshaw fellow or nearest Cigarrete shop ( pan shop in india). Not all Auto-Rickshaws fellows or Pan shops can arrange. The most important thing, if they are able to trust you & have some sources, they will arrange for you.

Legally you can buy wine from a permit shop only. Ask any of your friend or collegues if any one is holding a permit, you can use thier's to buy one.

While you travel to other states, you can sneak in some bottles in your lauguage.

edwardseco · Aug 26th, 2008, 07:17

My review of Nandi Hills's Cabernet Chabli:
Port-like but undrinkable to the Port enthusiast I recruited to give me a second opinion..

puchoo · Aug 26th, 2008, 13:03

I beg to differ...

wine's picked up and becoming popular in a big way , a lot of my friends have left their poison and switched to drinking wine now.

Delhi has a few wine clubs as well , who organize weekend tasting sessions in places around Delhi , and i believe memberships are full up.

Its still restricted to the middle class + segment of society , but with the prevalent prices , it can never be a poor man's drink..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashish Agrawal

As such, India does not have a much of a wine culture

edwardseco · Aug 26th, 2008, 13:31

Delhi has at least one wine club..

kristinm · Aug 26th, 2008, 13:35

The wine we saw was SO expensive, including the Indian wine - let alone the imported wine.. I wouldn't bother except for special occasions!

puchoo · Aug 26th, 2008, 13:42

Which one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

The wine we saw was SO expensive, including the Indian wine - let

Gametotravel · Aug 26th, 2008, 13:54

Grover Wine costs less than Rs 300/- per 750ml bottle available at least in Bangalore..
www.indianwine.com/misc/gorverprofile2004.htm - 18k
Pretty drinkable! People have taken these bottles abroad too.

kristinm · Aug 26th, 2008, 13:59

Just in general... way more than we would have paid..especially compared to beer.. there may have been cheaper wine had we looked, but it was the impression we got from looking at bottles in wine shops, or the wine list at restaurants.

At one place in Mumbai, there was quite an average bottle of Australian red carefully locked away in a case - I think the price worked out to about $50...

Jul 23rd, 2008, 23:37	#20
Cayle Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 130	It is possible to get decent red wine if you look. chances are, if you ask other expats, someone will know. I've taken a liking to Big Banyaan. Stay away from "Port Wine" and Napoleon in particular. The propreitor of a roadside "wine store" (bar) handed me that when I told him that I wanted to try an Indian red wine. Calling the stuff hooch would be charitable. __________________ Blog - http://ayearinindia.wordpress.com/ Panoramo Photos - http://www.panoramio.com/user/1275355 Last edited by Cayle : Jul 23rd, 2008 at 23:38. Reason: note to self - Proofread BEFORE clicking on save...

Aug 26th, 2008, 03:32	#23
Ashish Agrawal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Surat Posts: 132	Anastasia As such, India does not have a much of a wine culture & on the top of it, Gujarat is an absolute no no. Though legally banned, liquor is easily available in gujarat through bootleggars, but at a premium. The level of service is to the extent that you can order it over the phone & it will be delivered to you at the doorstep, all this but at the premium. Normal beer & whisky can be arranged by a Auto-rickshaw fellow or nearest Cigarrete shop ( pan shop in india). Not all Auto-Rickshaws fellows or Pan shops can arrange. The most important thing, if they are able to trust you & have some sources, they will arrange for you. Legally you can buy wine from a permit shop only. Ask any of your friend or collegues if any one is holding a permit, you can use thier's to buy one. While you travel to other states, you can sneak in some bottles in your lauguage. __________________ Visit my photogallery http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...ppuser =13574

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Jul 22nd, 2008, 06:09	#17
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 585	I doubt in 2008 Gujurati society will be bothered by a gora drinking - they themselves flood into Dui every weekend. My view is stock up, be discreet, ignore the permit and consume in your own home.

Jul 23rd, 2008, 23:08	#19
Anastasia Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: connecticut, usa Posts: 18	Thanks again for all your advice and comments. I had quite a giggle about cozying up with all the other sinners! Don't we always have the most fun?! But seriously, is it really considered terrible to drink alcohol? What is the basis - is it a religious reason? Pardon me for being ill-informed. I would just not want to offend anyone and am interested in respecting as much of the native culture as I can. Boy, will I fit in? Enjoy good wine, and I also found out cycling is not a regular passtime here. Both of us are avid cyclists and runners - plan on bringing the bike, (but covering the spandex of course) and found that there are parks for running, which is good. Suppose we could do a bike road trip to the new wine country! Pretty funny....

Aug 26th, 2008, 07:17	#24
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,142	My review of Nandi Hills's Cabernet Chabli: Port-like but undrinkable to the Port enthusiast I recruited to give me a second opinion..

Aug 26th, 2008, 13:31	#26
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,142	Delhi has at least one wine club..

Aug 26th, 2008, 13:35	#27
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,516	The wine we saw was SO expensive, including the Indian wine - let alone the imported wine.. I wouldn't bother except for special occasions!

Aug 26th, 2008, 13:54	#29
Gametotravel Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 531	Grover Wine costs less than Rs 300/- per 750ml bottle available at least in Bangalore.. www.indianwine.com/misc/gorverprofile2004.htm - 18k Pretty drinkable! People have taken these bottles abroad too.

Aug 26th, 2008, 13:59	#30
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,516	Just in general... way more than we would have paid..especially compared to beer.. there may have been cheaper wine had we looked, but it was the impression we got from looking at bottles in wine shops, or the wine list at restaurants. At one place in Mumbai, there was quite an average bottle of Australian red carefully locked away in a case - I think the price worked out to about $50...

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