NEW DELHI: Red or white? That's the dilemma Delhiites are finding themselves in as they slowly discover the concept of fine dining and wining. And to wriggle out of the confusion, they have decided not to whine but to turn into connoisseurs of wine. Not surprisingly, wine tasting clubs and institutes in the city are on a high.

Recounting Delhi's growing appetite for wine, founder of Delhi Wine Club, Subhash Arora, says: "I started the club in 2002 and since then the number of people showing interest in wine has increased considerably. We have 160 members. Earlier, the members comprised elderly citizens but now we have an eclectic mix. This is because wine is now seen as a more healthy drink and an ultimate style statement.''

With the government allowing free import of wines and retail liquor shops adding more variety, the `wine culture' is finding takers, especially among the youth and among those who have returned from abroad, say sommeliers. "The availability has also improved because more vineyards in India are producing wines. Also, more people are willing to spend money on a glass of wine. In the 1970s, the only kind of wine available in India was Golconda or Foster Wine. But now there is a variety of wines to choose from,'' says Arora.

For amateurs, Arora suggests that they should imbibe the habit of tasting different wines to develop a taste. Colour, aroma, flavour and after-taste are the basic factors one should keep in mind while learning to taste wine. "Taste as many wines as possible before starting to make choices. Always go with your own preference. Generally, good wine is what makes you reach for the second glass when the first one is over and the second bottle when the earlier one finishes,'' says Arora, who in 2003 started the Indian Wine Academy, which conducts short-term wine appreciation courses, trains hotel staff and holds corporate events.

Arun Batra, a corporate consultant, has been part of the Delhi Wine Club for over seven years now. For him, it's the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people once a month who love trying out different types of wine with some good food. The annual fees for becoming a member is Rs 3,000 while one pays Rs 2,000 per wine dinners. There is an attempt never to repeat a particular wine served.

Before every wine session held, a list of different wines served is mailed to each member. "You have to train your nose and senses. Some people have an addiction of describing the different types of wines,'' says Batra.

Shangrila Hotel too holds wine-tasting sessions twice a month but it's not open for all. A person should first get in touch with the hotel so that it can decide whether the person is a genuine taster or not. The hotel has more than 500 members. Ruchika Mehta, corporate head of the hotel, says: "People are given diaries during wine-tasting seminars to write down their experiences and their thoughts. Snacks are also served with the wine. We have also started with wine dinners recently.''

Seeing the explosion of interest in wine, Gurjit Singh Barry from Wi-not, a company of certified wine professional and beverage consultants, claims that his company will soon set up a wine school here. "It will be known as the Institute of Wine and Beverage Studies and will open in October,'' he claims.