The fine art of wine tasting turns academic now

Wine tasting is a subject of study globally, and Bangalore seems to be catching up with it. City-based wine companies are into promoting their product through wine schools and appreciation programmes. Students can hear elaborate lectures on wine culture too.

Kinvah, one of the indigenous wine brands based in Bangalore has started Kinvah Wine School, which is a month old, that conducts classes during the weekends.

 K S N Raju, MD of Kinvah said, so far 30 people have been trained. People working in the hospitality field, chefs, bartenders, entrepreneurs and a few, who are wine connoisseurs attend the programmes.

Karnataka Wine Board held a three-day wine mela in July this year, to popularise wine culture. It was well received by the public.  MD of Karnataka Wine Board Dr Kirshna said the mela boosted the morale of those in the industry.

“As many as 10 taverns have come up in Bangalore alone. Several City-based wine companies are conducting classes to promote the drink,” he said.

Curriculum in Kinvah Wine School includes origin and history of wine, wine drinking culture in different countries, art of wine making, its evaluation, wine tasting, storage and wine etiquette. The school offers four-hour course, eight-hour course and two-day course with fees varying from Rs 900 to Rs 5,000.

The teaching faculty is headed by Dr Yashoda Devi, a paediatrician. She is considered to be India ’s first woman wine maker. She worked with Grover V ineyards, the first Indian wine brand, as assistant winemaker for two years. She has been trained in Wine and Spirit Education Trust of London.

Na-Ka, another Indian brand, is all set to begin week-end wine appreciation programmes for wine lovers.  MD of Na-KA B N Nanjundaiah has plans to hold the programme in his vineyard near Nandi Hills next month. He plans to conduct week-end wine orientation programme for couples in his vineyard.

“My intention is to promote wine as a family drink. The programme consists of lecture by wine experts. We will offer them a bottle of wine besides food,” he said. The company is planning to charge around Rs 1,500 per couple.

Interestingly, for the first-time a diploma course in wine tasting has been introduced in India. The Hotel Management Department of Christ College in Bangalore has started the course from this academic year. The programme has been planned in association with United Vintners Limited of UB group. The UVL will offer technical support, while the university takes care of administration aspect.

 The curriculum includes marketing of wine, viticulture (grape varieties), vinification (wine making), types of wine, understanding of wine labels and many related issues. Jayakumar V, Hotel Management Department of Christ College, said that so far 10 people had joined the course.

Classes will begin in a week’s time and its fee is Rs 1 lakh.