The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
26 results across all types
- news
Who Really Makes Your Champagne? Decoding the Letters Behind the Label
When we pick up a bottle of Champagne, we usually notice the producer’s name, the vintage, or perhaps the price. But hidden in small print on every bottle is a set of letters that many people never notice. These tiny codes – such as NM, RM, RC or CM are not random abbreviations. They are Continue reading "Who Really Makes Your Champagne? Decoding the Letters Behind the Label"
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A Golden Decade Ahead: India’s Wine Market Poised for Remarkable Growth
The Indian wine market stands at an inflection point. Strong economic and demographic fundamentals, coupled with evolving consumer behaviour, are creating sustained momentum for the industry. While challenges remain, the outlook is overwhelmingly positive, making this a pivotal decade for the growth of wine in India.
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Beyond Oak: Concrete and Amphora in Modern Winemaking
Among the many vessels used in winemaking, two have always intrigued me – the ancient amphora and the modern concrete tank. Unlike oak, which contributes its own flavours and aromas, these inert vessels allow the fruit and terroir to take centre stage while offering distinctly different environments for fermentation and maturation. Their growing use by Continue reading "Beyond Oak: Concrete and Amphora in Modern Winemaking "
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Vineyards Disease Series – Part 1: Black Rot
By Mukul Manku Did You Know? Black Rot is one of the diseases that helped shape modern viticulture. It reached Europe from North America in the late nineteenth century, around the same time as phylloxera and downy mildew. Together, these triad of viticultural threats, transformed vineyard management and forever changed how European vineyards were protected. Continue reading "Vineyards Disease Series – Part 1: Black Rot"
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Honouring Excellence in Hospitality – A Wineglitz India Series: Karan Veer Singh
Hospitality is about much more than fine food, exceptional wines and elegant surroundings – it is about people. Behind every memorable dining experience and every flawlessly executed event are professionals whose dedication, passion and commitment often remain behind the scenes. Over the past decade, my journey in wine has given me the privilege of interacting Continue reading "Honouring Excellence in Hospitality – A Wineglitz India Series: Karan Veer Singh"
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Nature’s Fury: Wildfire and Hail Hit Ardeche’s Vineyards
Some stories in the wine world celebrate exceptional vintages and remarkable wines. Others remind us that before there can be a harvest, there is always hope….and sometimes heartbreak. The Threat Beyond the Flames During the second week of July 2026, a major wildfire swept through the Drôme department in southeastern France, sending vast plumes of Continue reading "Nature’s Fury: Wildfire and Hail Hit Ardeche’s Vineyards"
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Cave de Prestige: Burgundy’s Annual Wine Selection
Did you know that Burgundy has an official annual selection of wines? It is called the Cave de Prestige, a long standing programme organised by the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB). While reading about Burgundy recently, I came across this fascinating programme, which since 1971 has been selecting wines to represent Burgundy in the BIVB’s promotional, Continue reading "Cave de Prestige: Burgundy’s Annual Wine Selection"
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Grover Zampa Signet Tasting: How Different Wine Ageing Vessels Shape Wine Character
By Mukul Manku As wine enthusiasts, most of us are familiar with how grape varieties, climate and oak barrels shape the character of a wine. We may have had fewer opportunities however, to witness how the very same wine develops when matured in different ageing vessels. That is precisely what made Grover Zampa Vineyards recent Continue reading "Grover Zampa Signet Tasting: How Different Wine Ageing Vessels Shape Wine Character"
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French National Day 2026 Celebration in New Delhi
By Mukul Manku I was honoured and felt privileged to be invited to be a part of French National Day celebration organised by the Embassy of France in New Delhi on 14th July 2026. As I entered the venue, Zora – Delhi Convention Centre that evening, I was impressed by the vastness of the hall, Continue reading "French National Day 2026 Celebration in New Delhi"
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The Hard Years: An Outsider’s Journey into Wine
In this chapter of my wine journey, I recount the years of curiosity, persistence and self-learning that followed my first fascination with wine. Opportunities to learn were scarce, making every tasting, book and conversation a valuable lesson. It was a period of slow but steady growth, driven purely by passion. Looking back, these challenging years laid the foundation for everything that followed.
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Powdery Mildew Control in Vineyards by Robots and UV-C Technology
In recent years, vineyards around the world have been witnessing the growing use of advanced machines. Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by machines, probably because of my civil engineering background, where I had the opportunity to work alongside a wide range of construction equipment and infrastructure machinery. I have always admired how such machines can Continue reading "Powdery Mildew Control in Vineyards by Robots and UV-C Technology"
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At Home with Albert Bichot Nuits-Saint-Georges 2018 – A Classic Red Burgundy
By Mukul Manku Some months back, my son brought home a bottle of Albert Bichot Nuits-Saint-Georges 2018 while returning to India from Europe. He had picked it up from the duty-free shop before boarding his flight. Like many special bottles, it found a place in our home bar, patiently waiting for the right occasion. Months Continue reading "At Home with Albert Bichot Nuits-Saint-Georges 2018 – A Classic Red Burgundy"
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India’s War Cry Roars in Germany
By Mukul Manku The Indian heavy metal scene has another reason to celebrate. War Cry – The Indian Metal Band War Cry, one of India’s promising heavy metal bands, has steadily carved a niche for itself since its formation in 2017. Founded by guitarist and vocalist Tanvir Singh, the band is known for its powerful Continue reading "India’s War Cry Roars in Germany"
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More Than Just a Cork: Engineering the Perfect Wine Closure to Shape a Wine’s Evolution
By Mukul Manku Long after the grapes have been harvested and the wine has been bottled, one small component continues to influence its future – the closure. While we often think of a cork as nothing more than a seal, however it actually regulates the tiny amount of oxygen that permeates into the bottle, which Continue reading "More Than Just a Cork: Engineering the Perfect Wine Closure to Shape a Wine’s Evolution"
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From Delhi to 150 Countries: A Small Milestone for Wineglitz India
One of the joys of maintaining a wine blog is that you never quite know where your words will travel. This week, WordPress informed me that ‘Wineglitz India’ has unlocked a rather commendable achievement: visitors from more than 150 countries have viewed the website. And this certainly brought a smile to my face. When I Continue reading "From Delhi to 150 Countries: A Small Milestone for Wineglitz India"
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The Maharaja Table and the Pagodes of Bordeaux – An Unexpected Indian Connection Behind a Saint-Estèphe Icon
Do you believe in coincidences? I certainly do. In fact, I often feel that coincidences are the universe’s subtle way of talking with us, revealing stories that were waiting to be discovered. While planning our upcoming Wineglitz India wine dinner on 18th July, one such coincidence emerged—and it was too beautiful not to share. The Continue reading "The Maharaja Table and the Pagodes of Bordeaux – An Unexpected Indian Connection Behind a Saint-Estèphe Icon"
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Four Wines. Three Countries. One Memorable Evening
As President Wineglitz India – The Wine Club, Mukul Manku curated a wonderful wine dinner for the club members on 24th July 2026. Held at the Spicy Duck restaurant in Hotel Taj Palace New Delhi, the event saw a full house attendance. In this post Mukul talks about his experience during this memorable evening. The Continue reading "Four Wines. Three Countries. One Memorable Evening"
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Clarendelle Rouge – Inspired by a First Growth Legacy
My first tryst with Clarendelle wines happened in early 2024 when I got an opportunity to attend a masterclass organised at Hotel Leela Palace New Delhi. It was conducted by the Brand Ambassador Prashanth Saldanha who in his inimitable style, presented and talked about the three protagonist wines of Clarendelle Inspired by Haut Brion portfolio. Continue reading "Clarendelle Rouge – Inspired by a First Growth Legacy"
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Patrimoine Français: An Evening Crowned by a Third Growth Grand Cru Classé
As President Wineglitz India – The Wine Club, Mukul Manku put together an exclusive wine dinner for the members of the club. Held at the PDR of the reimagined and relaunched Le Cirque restaurant in Hotel Leela Palace New Delhi, the event featured exclusive French wines including a Third Growth Grand Cru Classe from Bordeaux. Continue reading "Patrimoine Français: An Evening Crowned by a Third Growth Grand Cru Classé"
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Chateau Kirwan – a Third Growth Grand Cru Classe from Margaux
On 14th March 2026, an exceptional wine dinner unfolded at PDR of Le Cirque restaurant, located within Hotel The Leela Palace in the heart of Delhi. Put together by Mukul Manku for members of his club ‘Wineglitz India – The Wine Club’, the evening featured both an excellently curated food menu and a distinguished flight Continue reading "Chateau Kirwan – a Third Growth Grand Cru Classe from Margaux"
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Habits de Lumiere – the Festival of Lights in Epernay, France
During a three days stay at the Reims in the Champagne region of France, Mukul Manku went on a family visit to the nearby city of Epernay, to attend the famous Habits de Lumiere – also known as the Festival of Lights. In this post, Mukul talks about his experience. A Train Journey to Epernay Continue reading "Habits de Lumiere – the Festival of Lights in Epernay, France"
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Hautvillers – the Cradle of Champagne
UNESCO World Heritage Landscape Hautvillers is part of a UNESCO listing called the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars. Inscribed in 2015, this designation recognises the historic vineyard slopes around villages like Hautvillers, along with the Champagne houses and cellars in Reims and Épernay. This historic village is closely associated with Dom Pérignon, the Benedictine monk Continue reading "Hautvillers – the Cradle of Champagne"
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Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée 173eme
During a recent visit to Reims France, Mukul Manku savoured Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée 173eme at Le Parvis champagne bar just across the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. In this post Mukul writes about this ethereal experience. Enchanting City of Reims A visit to the city of Reims in heart of the champagne region, was on Continue reading "Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée 173eme"
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An Exceptional Tasting of Wines of Chateau Cheval Blanc alongside Cheval des Andes
Located in south of Saint Emilion and bordering Pomerol, Château Cheval Blanc has an exceptionally rich soil profile with an interplay of gravel, clay and sand. Cabernet Franc and Merlot flourish across 39 hectares of this historic estate. As President of Wineglitz India – The Wine Club, Mukul Manku attended the Tasting of the Wines Continue reading "An Exceptional Tasting of Wines of Chateau Cheval Blanc alongside Cheval des Andes"