Wine: The “it” bubbly of Bangalore

Wine and cheese—ah that perfect combination stirring up fond memories of balmy evenings melting to the amber glow of a bonfire-lit night! From the days of antiquity to the present globe-trotting century, this multifunctional drink has recorded many a battle lost and won, been toasted over to ring in a celebration and has been a witness to many wake rituals, not to mention its popularity with the druids of yore for its medicinal properties.

Largely popular across the ocean, wine has had a late start in the Indian soil. Initially a signature drink of the city’s swish set, wine is gradually making inroads into the humble households of the great Indian middle class giving the other alcoholic beverages a run for their moolah.

Since the past few years, the Indian liquor industry has seen an increasing trend in wine consumption. From thirty-odd labels just three years back, the market now boasts of over two hundred new labels, domestic as well as imported. And with domestic brands like Sula Vineyards, Grover Wines and Chateau Indage hogging the limelight both in the country as well as abroad, India surely has found its place on the global wine map.

Like all other major cities in the country, Bangalore too is home to several wine shops. Well laid-out, with detailed attention to display, aesthetics and design, these outlets are a far cry from the seedy shacks peddling liquor. Some of these wine shops are Spirits at Leela Galleria, Wine Palace in Bangalore Central, Cyber Wines, Classic Wine Mall, Madhiraa and Madhulok Stores on Sarjapur Road. Others include Metro’s two outlets, Food World and Monday to Sunday stores.

Multifunctional that it is, wine is also used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Rule of the thumb is that white wines go well with white meat like poultry and fish while red wines pair well with red meats like beef and pork. It is usually safe to combine "light-bodied" wine with lighter food and a "full-bodied" wine with heartier dishes.

Ever tried using wine to make that flavourful sauce? Here are some cooking tips with wine that will help you dish out that perfect weekend meal for family and friends!

Tips for Cooking with Wine:
Listed below are a few tips to keep in mind while cooking with wine.
• “Cooking Wines” are typically salty that may adversely affect the taste of your chosen menu. So adjust your recipe to reflect the salt content already in the wine.
• If you are intent on cooking with a premium wine, do not simmer the wine for a long time and definitely do not let it come to a boil.
• If a wine is extremely fruity, sour, or unsavory, these characteristics will be emphasized during cooking.
• Wine needs time to impart its flavor, wait ten minutes or more before adding more wine. Too much wine will overpower a dish.
• Do not use aluminum or cast-iron cookware while cooking with wine, stick to non-reactive material, such as, enamel.
Thumb Rule: Don't cook with any wine that you wouldn't drink!

Wine and Health:
Researchers have found that moderate consumption of red wine may be beneficial to more than just your heart. One study found that the antioxidant resveratrol, which is prevalent in the skin of red grapes, may inhibit tumor development in some cancers. Another study indicated that resveratrol aids in the formation of nerve cells, which experts believe may be helpful in the treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

So, a glass of red wine a day does seem to keep the doctor away!