​Beverage News from India & the World

The fact that Austria produces world-class white wines is nothing new. However, in recent years, Austrian reds have been following hot on their heels, making headlines with their top international ratings. And it is no wonder, for it has almost been one outstanding vintage after another since 2015. Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, Sankt Laurent and the likes have produced juicy, ripe red wines full of fruit and with all the typical freshness of Austrian wines.
Velvety red with delicate spicinessWhen talking about Austrian red wines, there’s no getting around Zweigelt (Rotburger). Nowadays, this crossing of Blaufränkisch and Sankt Laurent is grown on around 6,000 hectares of land, in other words, almost half of the area dedicated to red wine varieties in Austria. And there is good reason for this! Zweigelt is a charmer with velvety tannins and deep fruity aromas of morello and dark cherries, combined with a confit of forest fruits. Does that sound a bit kitsch? Well it isn't, because a delicate spiciness is what gives Zweigelt its vital pizzazz. Served a little cooler, a light Zweigelt is also the perfect drink to enjoy on the patio in summer. And while the appeal of a young Zweigelt is well-known, a growing number of connoisseurs are discovering the delights of these wines when they have had a chance to mature. With ageing, the tannins become even more refined and the flavour profile is enhanced by notes of mocha and leather.
A mature performance: one top vintage after the otherWhile on the subject of maturity, those who aren’t browsing the stocks of Austria’s red-winemakers right now are passing up a unique opportunity. Perfectly matured red wines from the historic 2017, 2019 and 2021 vintages are still available, for example, as well as the delicately fruity and precise 2020 and 2016 wines. Those who prefer something that packs more of a punch in the glass should consider the dense and powerful 2018 vintage. These mature reds display all the charisma that Austria has developed in this area. Their flavour components have settled into the perfect balance, while the wines have still retained their typical freshness and are as juicy as ever.
Character, character, characterAnother wine that has particularly benefited from the recent good wine-growing years is Blaufränkisch – a character actor that has established Austria as one of the top red-wine producing countries, especially at the international level. As a late-ripening variety, the warm summers and mild autumns particularly suit Blaufränkisch. This enables its unmistakeable foundation, grippy tannins and vibrant freshness to ripen to perfection, allowing it to develop deep-rooted aromas of dark berries, a spicy, smoky minerality and the occasional vivid floral note. Virtually no other variety expresses the typicity of its origins in the glass quite as well as Blaufränkisch.
The sophisticated grape with a sugar brakeThe third variety that plays a key role on the Austrian red-wine scene is Sankt Laurent. It is, without question, an absolute diva in the vineyard. However, it is also a grape that appears made for climate change, since it has a natural sort of “sugar brake”. This prevents the grapes from storing too much sugar, even in warm years. As a result, the wines are never too heavy, developing an incomparable elegance and sophistication instead. They are mild and fruity, almost silky on the palate, and display aromas of dark forest fruits, cherries and a hint of forest floor that is reminiscent of illustrious Pinot Noirs.
(excerpt from a release)

New Delhi, October 09, 2024: 30BestBarsIndia, the country’s most prestigious bar ranking platform, has unveiled the long list of the Top 100 bars for its 5th edition. The list is based on a special pan-India jury poll, made up of bar enthusiasts, industry professionals and drinks connoisseurs. This year’s voting list for the ‘Best Bars’ category also included more than 150 self-nominations from bars across the country on the 30BestBarsIndia website.
 
AT A GLANCE:

• A record number of 48 new entrants have made the long list this year.
• The bars are spread across 13 cities and Goa.
• Delhi tops the list with 18 bars, followed by Goa at 16, Mumbai at 15, Bangalore at 14, and Kolkata at 12.
• Among the non-metro cities, Jaipur stands with 4 bars, Shillong and Guwahati with 2 each, and Udaipur and Chandigarh with 1 each.
• The awards will honour bars and bar industry professionals in 17 categories.
• These include Best Bar, Best Independent Bar, Best Hotel Bar, Best Restaurant Bar, Best Microbrewery or Taproom, Best Cocktail Menu, Best Bartender, Best Bar Team, Best Bar Design, Timeless Bar, Industry Icon of 2024, Best Work in Sustainability, Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Menu, People’s Choice Best Bar, People’s Choice Best Microbrewery or Taproom, The Highest Climber, and The Highest New Entry.

 
The 2024 long list features bars ranging from chic urban lounges and hotel bars to artisanal cocktail rooms and speakeasies, with representation from cities large and small. With almost half of the Top 100 comprising new entrants, these bars have set benchmarks in mixology, service, design, ambience, and sustainability. A larger national jury of more than 250 members is currently voting to determine the final ranking of the 30 Best Bars of India for 2024, based on the long list. The rankings will be unveiled at an awards ceremony at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, Panaji, on January 13, 2025.

Vikram Achanta, Co-Founder of 30BestBarsIndia, said, "In the past year, we've seen a significant emphasis on concept and storytelling, which has now become paramount. Bars are no longer just spaces to drink – they are immersive experiences. The substantial number of nominations we received this year is a testament to our mission at 30BestBarsIndia – to educate and elevate the visibility of bars across the country. We're also witnessing a continued resurgence of hotel bars, which are setting new benchmarks for creativity and hospitality."
 
Radhakrishnan Nair, Co-Founder of 30BestBarsIndia, said, “The record entry of 48 new bars in the Long List is a testament to the constantly improving standards of bars across the country, including in non-metro towns. At the same time, the fact that so many of our regulars have dropped out of the Long List this year is a signal to bars that they have to be constantly innovating to stay in the reckoning and be counted among the best in the country.”
​
The Top 100 bars in India, listed alphabetically, are:
(New entries are marked with an asterisk)
●      7 Rivers Brewing Co., Taj MG Road (Bangalore)
●       AER Lounge, Four Seasons (Mumbai)*
●       Aidu (Hyderabad)*
●       AMPM (Kolkata)*
●       Americano (Mumbai)
●       Bandra Born (Mumbai)*
●       Bar 259, JW Marriott (Kolkata)*
●       Bar Palladio, Narain Niwas Palace (Jaipur)
●       Beno (Goa)*
●       Bob's Bar, Indiranagar (Bangalore)
●       Byg Brewski Brewing Company, Hennur (Bangalore)
●       Cirqa 1960 (Mumbai)*
●       Cobbler & Crew (Pune)
●       Cock & Bull (Hyderabad)
●       Cocktails & Dreams (Gurgaon)
●       Comorin (Gurgaon)
●       Copitas, Four Seasons Hotel (Bangalore)
●       Ekaa (Mumbai)
●       Elephant & Co. (Goa)
●       Elephant & Co., Kalyaninagar (Pune)
●       Fig & Maple (New Delhi)*
●       For The Record - Vinyl Bar (Goa)
●       Forefathers (Hyderabad)*
●       Grumps (Goa)*
●       Hideaway (Goa)
●       Hodd's Bar, Hyatt, Gachibowli (Hyderabad)*
●       HOME (New Delhi)
●       Hoots' (New Delhi)
●       Hosa (Goa)
●       Izumi (Mumbai)
●       Jamming Goat 1.0 (Goa)
●       Jamming Goat 3.0, JP Nagar (Bangalore)
●       Joseph Bar (Goa)
●       Khi Khi, (New Delhi)*
●       Klap (New Delhi)
●       KOKO (Bangalore)*
●       KooX - Rooftop Asian Grill, Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road (Chennai)
●       Koyo Koyo, Hyatt Centric (Chandigarh)*
●       Lair (New Delhi)
●       Little Bit Sober (Kolkata)*
●       LMNOQ Skybar (Kolkata)*
●       Loya, Taj Palace (New Delhi)
●       Madam G (Kolkata)*
●       Malaka Spice (Pune)
●       Masque (Mumbai)
●       Mehico (Kolkata)*
●       Mezcalita, Churchgate (Mumbai)
●       Mia's (New Delhi)*
●       Miguel’s (Goa)
●       Muro (Bangalore)*
●       Native Cocktail Room (Jaipur)
●       Noho (Hyderabad)*
●       O Pedro (Mumbai)
●       Olive Bar & Kitchen, Qutub (New Delhi)*
●       Olterra (Kolkata)
●       Pablo's (Goa)
●       Pandan Club (Chennai)*
●       Papa's (Mumbai)*
●       PCO (Mumbai)
●       PCO (New Delhi)
●       Perch Wine & Coffee Bar, Vasant Vihar (New Delhi)
●       Petisco (Goa)*
●       Piano Man Jazz Club, El Deco Centre (New Delhi)*
●       Radio Room (Chennai)*
●       Red (New Delhi)*
●       Rick's, Taj Mahal (New Delhi)
●       Room One (Goa)*
●       Roxie (Bangalore)
●       RÜ (Hyderabad)*
●       Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen (Hyderabad)
●       SAZ American Brasserie, Vasant Kunj (New Delhi)
●       SAZ On The Beach (Goa)*
●       Shad Skye (Shillong)*
●       Sidecar (New Delhi)
●       Slink & Bardot (Mumbai)
●       Slow Tide (Goa)
●       Soka (Bangalore)*
●       Sorano (Kolkata)
●       Soy Como Soy (Pune)
●       Spirit Forward (Bangalore)*
●       SURA - Cocktails & Cuisine (Jaipur)*
●       Terra Maaya (Guwahati)
●       The Bar, The Oberoi Grand (Kolkata)
●       The Barfly (Goa)*
●       The Blue Bar, Taj Palace (New Delhi)
●       The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai)
●       The Brass Room, ITC Royal Bengal (Kolkata)*
●       The Cheroot Malt & Cigar Lounge, ITC Grand Chola (Chennai)*
●       The Evening Club (Shillong)
●       The Grid (Kolkata)
●       The Johri & Sons, The Johri (Jaipur)*
●       The Library Bar, The Leela Palace Udaipur (Udaipur)*
●       The Library Bar, The Leela Palace Bengaluru (Bangalore)
●       The Library Bar, The Leela Palace (New Delhi)
●       The Living Room (Chennai)*
●       The Maroon Room (Guwahati)*
●       The Piano Bar and Cigar Lounge, The Oberoi (Gurgaon)*
●       The Reservoire (Bangalore)*
●       The Second House (Goa)*
●       TOIT (Pune)
●       Tresind (Mumbai)*
●       Waikiki (Mumbai)*
●       Whisky Samba (Gurgaon)
●       Whisky Samba (Hyderabad)*
●       Windmills, Whitefield (Bangalore)
●       Yauatcha (Kolkata)
●       ZLB 23, The Leela Palace (Bangalore)

(Excerpt from a release)