Know our wine

HYDERABAD: The subject of pairing Indian food with wine is open to interpretation, for many sommeliers insist there are no hard and fast rules and that your tastebuds will guide you. But the three-week-old Indian Wine List, the first of its kind in the country, tells you what to drink with your food and includes a wine catalogue, a virtual cellar and the tricks to becoming a wine connoisseur. Introduced by Mumbai-based App Vintage Solution, the free iOS version of the app has already registered 700 downloads in its first week.Behind the scenesWith no website or blog on Indian wine, freelance photographer Aneesh Bhasin, 26, and his business partner, Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya, 27, thought of creating an app that will give all the information under one roof. “We are familiar with the Indian wine industry and know all the wines in and out,” claims the photographer, whose assignments with various publications, have taken him to almost all the vineyards across India (except the South) and abroad. The wine catalogue features eight Indian wineries like Sula, York, Reveilo and Four Seasons and lists 78 wines from across these vineyards.Vineyards abroadDo they plan to include imported wines? “In the near future. Right now, the emphasis is on Indian wines. There are small producers who are making good wines but not getting noticed,” answers Bhasin, adding that we can browse wines according to grapes, wineries and the occasion. There are descriptive tasting notes, pairing recommendations for salads, cheese, biryani and more. The duo is working on launching an Android version, scheduled for next week. Details: itunes.apple.com