Did you guys know that today, more and more business deals are made over wine? People don’t always have the time to get away nor do they have easy access to a nearby golf course. It means taking time out of your busy schedule to plan a weekend away or making a booking well in advance at a golf resort. Many people don’t have that benefit today with their taxing schedules and busy lives.

On the other hand, business men and corporate honchos are finding out quickly that the benefits of a glass of wine after work don’t just stop at feeling relaxed. They also help in striking up a conversation with fellow colleagues, breaking tension with clients and even help in sealing the deal!

How so? Because wine helps break barriers between people, creates a relaxed mind set and is also meant for sharing. It brings people together and allows them to share a part of them which is not just business speak. So it’s no wonder the merge with business was just around the corner. Not only does it taste good, it is good for you!

Wine is scoring BIG points in today’s international business scenario as well. Be it at global trade events, a dinner evening with international clients or a national company meet, wine is creating a buzz everywhere. Competition is getting stiff…Golf, Watch Out!

I read a very interesting article today…that stocking wine has emerged as a smart investment option for some. And analysts are finding greater returns from them that shares.

An example of this is in practice today by Filip Opdebeeck who runs a company called Bonheur du Vin meaning “Wine Lover’s Paradise” out of Switzerland. It’s a 3,200 sq ft vault, 30 ft below ground beneath one of the many banks in the Swiss financial center. His vault holds about 40,000 bottles of wine of which many are owned by bankers, diplomats, professionals and people who just enjoy a glass from time to time!

His portfolio includes mostly French wines from the Bordeaux region, but also wines from Italy, Chile, Argentina, Australia and California’s Napa Valley.  The vault’s capacity is estimated to hold upto 100,000 bottles.

Wine economists say inclusion of wine in an investment portfolio is increasingly common, especially prestigious wines such as the reds of France’s Bordeaux region. “Wine gives greater returns even than shares and affords diversification,” says Philippe Masset, Wine Economist of the Lausanne Hotel School in Geneva. “It’s an anecdote,” he says. “But it’s symptomatic.”

Will this investment trend eventually move to America? And how long until India and the rest of Asia catch on? Let’s wait and watch!

Here’s some food for thought. Did you know that wine helps reduce acne and breakouts? More and more spas are turning to wine therapy to avail the full benefits of this tasty trend.

There are specialized wine facials & therapies available at luxury spas across the world today. For those who don’t have the time or money to indulge…try this at home: Wash your face with your normal cleanser. Soak a cotton ball with wine and dab all over your face or in particular areas where you have breakouts or acne. The antioxidants from the wine will help combat and heal troubled skin! Who knew…

Grape to Glass now has presence on Facebook so please join our Group, feel free to leave comments on your experiences with wine, food pairings with or Wine Glam events/galas you have been a part of.

We would love to hear about your world of wine, what you’ve tried, like, don’t like and new experiences of the palate.

Please also keep checking back on our web site as new products are added from time to time.  And look out for us on Twitter & Linkeden soon!

Thank you for all your support.

I am learning so much about the intricacies involved with the world of wine. It’s not just about the wine, but how it breathes that makes the difference in taste. No one has time today to decant a bottle of Red, I know I don’t. I barely make it home in time to entertain. Before I know it, my doorbell rings and my friends are over.

Then, Vinturi changed the way I serve wine forever.  Not only is it a great conversation piece, it’s sleek, cute and a techno gadget that truly works like magic, right in front of your eyes. All you have to do is pour your wine through it’s tiny funnel and it instantly opens up the bouquet, mixing in the right amount of air into the wine.  The taste… remarkably different when it hits your glass!  And be sure to pair your wine with the right glass (Riedel of course) and you’ve got a winning combination.

If you’ve tried Vinturi or would like to, please post a comment here.

Have you ever had wine in a Riedel glass? Or shall I say, been privileged enough to? I never realized how much of a difference a glass makes in appreciating a bottle of wine.

It’s truly a beautiful combination of science mixed with precision and art. The shape of each glass is perfectly designed; not only do they look elegant, each glass is grape varietal specific.

And the taste is completely different in a Riedel versus any other wine glass. Of course it would be, the glasses have been perfected over 11 generations and known as the finest in the world! I can’t seem to enjoy wine in anything but Riedel now that I’ve experienced them.

Let me know about your Riedel experiences…

Share your experiences about your last meal with a wine.  Would you have this wine again?????

Two tastings were held in Mumbai when Georg Riedel visited, one at JW Marriott, Juhu, the other  at Indigo Restaurant, Colaba. During the JW Marriott evening, people came together for a magical, fun-filled evening. It started with a structured classroom style Riedel Glass Tasting Experience done by Georg Riedel himself which consisted of 4 wines – 2 Red and 2 White. This was followed by an elaborate dinner evening at Mezzo Mezzo which lasted until the wee hours.

The Indigo Tasting was put together by Grape to Glass – an afternoon experience held for the Institutions. There was representation from several 5-star hotels who said it was one of the most educational experiences they ever had. Learning which glasses go with which wine is priceless.

A man who needs no introduction, Georg Riedel visited India for the very first time in March 2010 and let me say, it was one of the most unforgettable experiences ever. Not only for me personally but for everyone who was fortunate enough to take the Riedel Glass Tasting Experience with him. His wit and soft humor, ease of communication and immense knowledge on wine and glasses makes him a truly remarkable icon within the industry. It was an honor to interact with him personally.

Welcome to the Grape to Glass Blog! You can now post your views on everything related to the world of wine – wine appreciation, tasting notes, glass and accessories related, your journey of the palate, pairings with wine, wine education as well as etiquette and fine-living. This will serve as a comprehensive platform for all wine lovers and novices to come together and share. After all, that’s what the wine culture is all about..sharing and bringing people together world-over.