While
Maharashtra is reeling under the heavy burden
of 200% excise duties, Delhi wine-lovers can
take solace from the fact that the duty is still
Rs. 150 a bottle. When you look at the practically
nil excise duty in Haryana, buying a case can
save you Rs.180 a bottle (VAT @20%) in Gurgaon.
 Many
retail shops are stocking their wines properly
and invitingly now. One shop in particular that
has caught my fancy is Lake Forest in Galleria,
DLF Phase IV, Gurgaon. Neeraj Sachdev, the owner
has a liquor business in California and is well
clued and informed about wines and the need
for proper storage. It is a pleasure to visit
this shop.
Here are a couple of easy drinking, easy-on-the-pocket
Sicilian reds and whites from one of the companies
belonging to the world famous Pinot Grigio specialist,
Santa Margherita, based in Trentino Alto Adige
region in North Italy
Feudo Zirtari Rosso
IGT 2005 Sicilia
This wine is a blend of the local perfumed grape
Nero d'Avola with , Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet
Sauvignon. It is plum red colour, light in flavour.
Slightly tart and dry and high in tannins, that
make it a great accompaniment with pepperoni
pizza, Spaghetti Bolognese or simple red sauce
cooked Italian food. Try also with mutton biryani.
 It
retails for $6 at Trader's Joe in California
(the folks known for Two-buck chuck). For that
price it is considered a good value wine. (In
Italy and other places it sells for around $9.
It is available at a special price of Rs.633
incl. VAT from Lake Forest, if you buy by the
case- a good buy for daily drinking wine. Recommended
serving temperature is 18° C.
Feudo Zirtari Bianco
IGT 2006 Sicilia
Made from a blend of the autochthonous varieties
Grillo and Inzolia, and Chardonnay it is a young
wine that is slightly spicy due to the local
grape varieties with the elegance of Chardonnay.
Although ideal for Sicilian foods, especially
elaborate fish preparations, it can be enjoyed
as an aperitif due to its freshness and good
acidity.
Again, if you do not expect wonders from the
wine, it is a good value for money wine you
can drink or gift to a friend. Should be consumed
by 2008, though. Serve at 12° C.
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