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This is the time of the year when all the big wine fairs happen in Europe. Fine fairs are annual events in all wine-producing countries - their primary objective being to put producers and buyers together to introduce the latest vintage (in this case, wines produced from grapes harvested at the end of 2013), convenient for everybody concerned.
The wine season in Europe has already started, with two of the four big annual fairs having already taken place. But there is a lot more on offer, such as the Vinitaly 2014 in Verona:
Prowein Dusseldorf (23 - 25 March 2014): The first off the block, this unfortunately finished last week - but never mind, perhaps you could plan to visit in 2015. With over 4,800 exhibitors from about 50 countries, this 20-year-old fair is one of the largest such fairs worldwide - not surprising, as Germany is one of the largest wine importers (after the UK and the US). Organised in eight huge halls, segregated country-wise, and run with typical Teutonic efficiency, Prowein is (in the words of some of the participants) "the most international of wine fairs", and "the place to be". For instance, over 100 wineries participated from California, a 10-fold increase from just 10 years ago. For more information, check out www.prowein.com
Bordeaux En Primeur Tastings (31-March t0 4th April): You've also just missed tasting the 2013 vintage from Bordeaux - the most prestigious (and most expensive) wine in the world! This one is only by invitation, and only for the 'trade' or the media. As the city of Bordeaux is slap-bang in the middle of the region where the eponymous wines are produced, this is also a terrific opportunity to visit all those chateaus. Possibly the best piece about this is at www.thewinecellarinsider.com. A word of caution: even if you did manage to get invited for next year's event, remember that the wines from most of the top Crus are so tannic as to be virtually undrinkable -and will remain so for anything from 5 - 10 years.
Vinitaly 2014, Verona (6th - 9th April 2014): There's still time for this fair, being held in that most romantic of towns, Verona of the Romeo and Juliet fame. Also a massive affair, with over 4,200 exhibitors from 22 countries spread over 90,000 sq metres that attract nearly 150,000 visitors, the fair is preceded by a wine competition open to all exhibitors. Participants also include producers of Italian olive oil, foodstuffs, wine machinery, and accessories. Of course the majority of participating wineries are Italian. For more information, visit www.vinitaly.com
London Wine Fair (2nd to 4th June, 2014): "Ah, to be in England, now that spring is here ... drinking English beer" If you want to take a break from wine, then you can visit the 'crafts beer' section that would gladden the heart of most Anglophiles. This is now a 'trade only' event but thereafter free (all other fairs have entry fees ranging from about 50 euro upwards), both for entry and tastings. The venue has also returned to the Kensington area, in the heart of London - so expect a surge of participant and visitors from around the world.
Wines I've Been Drinking: The new Fratelli Gran Cuvee Brut (Rs 1,050 in Bangalore) at the Chef's For Charity event organised by Food Lovers Bangalore magazine at the Ritz-Carlton. A 'zero-dosage' sparkling wine (meaning that the residual sugar is below 3 gms/litre), this very new label seems to have been quietly slipped onto retail shelves without any fanfare (unlike the Chandon, whose launch parties are still being talked about). Made from Chenin Blanc grapes, the wine is aromatic and dry and very drinkable.
Alok Chandra is a Bangalore-based wine consultant
