FESTIVALS & EVENTS

An Ode to Bacchus – Mumbai's Wine Tasting Festival Beckons

Bhawna Grover

Last updated: Sep 23, 2019

There is perhaps no other festival celebration in India that revels in its patrons enjoying the decadent, good life more than the Mumbai Wine Tasting Festival. Welcoming the New Year to Mumbai, this is the premier wine event in a city where the social calendar is usually chock-a-block with exciting dos. But you don’t need too many reasons to be in Mumbai during 5th and 6th January, 2013, the festival dates, because the sound of ‘wine tasting’ should be compelling enough. If you still need some convincing, read on to find out more.

The Venue

The finest wines from India will make an appearance at this awesome wine event that has been hosted at The Radio Club for the last three years and The Pier at the Radio Club is the venue again in 2013. A premium property located in South Bombay (or ‘Town’ as any Mumbaikar would call it), it hosts many events throughout the year but none as well attended as this one especially because today, in India, wine drinkers are growing and people are valuing the benefits of wine over other types of alcoholic drinks. Now, if you were wondering how big a hole the wine event would burn in your pocket, here’s the sticky – Rs. 500 if you buy passes online and Rs. 600 if you buy them at the venue. Shocked? Blink twice if you can still read this.

Indulge your Senses

January is a wonderful time for a wine festival in Mumbai because it’s the best time to be outdoors. The powers that be at the wine event take full advantage of the charming weather and hold the actual wine tasting on the open aired pier where you can take in calming views of the harbor and the majestic Gateway of India. Expect cheerful, apt decorations, loads of different cheeses to go with the various wines and tête-à-têtes with wine experts as well as exciting games at the festival in Mumbai this year.

So what are the best wines from India and other places that would be seducing you this time? Expect to see some avant-garde wines of India from wineries like Nine Hills and Grover Zampa Vineyards. Let experts from foreign vineyards like Pernod Ricard’s and Ixora tell you what is wine tasting all about while a sommelier gives you tips on what are the best wines to pair with different cuisines. You could also buy delectable gourmet foods and discounted wines and watch the spectacular Wish Lantern Festival where colorful lanterns are released into the evening sky. Oh! And don’t leave without some grape stomping – what better than squishing grapes into juice?

Getting there is cake walk as the Radio Club is well connected to the rest of the city. Mumbai itself is easily accessible from all parts of the country and you need to book your flight tickets as well as good hotel accommodation before you leave. Happy tasting and come back and tell us what you loved about this irresistible festival.