Kinvah launches five wines

Sitting in a posh restaurant with friends the other day, it suddenly struck me that this wasn’t us at all. Where was the uproarious laughter, the merciless leg-pulling? The warmth that should accompany the wine?

Sipping measured quantities poured out by a white-gloved waiter is all very well, but it’s not something I want to do every week. So, when I called over my pals last Saturday for a potluck party, I picked up a mixed case of five Kinvah wines from the local supermarket.

Since I believe in beginning the evening nice and slow, I loved the Kinvah Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, zesty and dry, it really pepped up the crudites and dips that were doing the rounds.

My BFF brought her super-spesh ragu lasagna: perfect for the rich Kinvah Cabernet Shiraz that I let breathe an hour or so before pouring into the wide-mouthed glasses. And for the boyfriend’s biryani, I opened the Manthan, a wine specially created for masala-heavy Indian dishes.

Oh, didn’t I mention it? Kinvah’s a homegrown brand, literally — its vineyards are in Bijapur, though the know-how that makes it work comes from Italian oenologist Luca Patricelli. And the state government’s excise benefits for local vineyards make the wines very, very affordable!

As the evening grew older and the mood more laidback, I realised I like my wine only one way: With friends. Sprawled out on a rug. In the middle of a spectacular gabfest.

What’s your excuse?

Kinvah wines are available at leading supermarkets in Bangalore and can also be booked online at www.nandivalleywinery.com. Prices: Rs125 for 180ml; Rs235 for 375ml and Rs430 for 750ml.