The Sommelier India Pour

What to drink: Argiano Brunello 2018

The Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is a beautifully balanced expression of Sangiovese, offering aromas of ripe red cherries, blackberries, and dried roses, with hints of tobacco and cedar. The palate is refined, with bright acidity, velvety tannins, and a long, mineral-driven finish accented by spice and leather. Hailing from Montalcino, one of Italy’s most revered wine regions, Argiano benefits from its warm Mediterranean climate and galestro-rich soils, which enhance the wine’s complexity and aging potential.

Argiano is one of Montalcino’s historic estates, dates back to 1580 and is renowned for its commitment to sustainable viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking. Under the guidance of winemaker Bernardino Sani, the estate continues to craft elegant, age-worthy Brunellos that reflect the region’s exceptional galestro soils and Mediterranean climate. Recently, Sommelier India publishers tasted this standout vintage, noting its vibrancy and structure. Recognized as The Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2023, it stands among the finest Brunellos of recent years. The wine is available in the US, UK, Europe and Hong Kong - SBS

ProWein 2025: A Pivotal Moment for the Wine Industry

ProWein Düsseldorf, held from March 16 to 18, reaffirmed its status as the world’s leading trade fair for the wine and spirits industry, shaping trends and fostering key business connections.With around 42,000 professionals from 128 countries and 4,200 exhibitors from 65 nations, it remains an essential hub for producers, buyers, and sommeliers. The 2025 edition put a strong focus on the rise of “No & Low Alcohol” beverages, reflecting shifting consumer preferences, particularly among younger generations. Marius Berlemann, COO Messe Düsseldorf, highlighted ProWein’s role as a resilient market driver, enabling producers to secure sales and expand globally, despite economic challenges.

Navigating the fair spread over a vast area with 11 independent halls was an immersive journey attracting trade visitors from central European markets, Scandinavia and the UK to buyers from the USA, Japan, South Korea and China. In France, I walked through Bordeaux and tasted Burgundies with Nikhil Agarwal of All Things Nice, joined a guided walkabout through Champagne and Austria, savouring excellent Grüner Veltliners, to name just a few highlights. India was represented by Grover Zampa, underscoring India's growing presence on the global wine stage. Beyond tastings, I attended the new ProWein Business Forum with key topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and a Q&A session on reaching the consumer, featuring insights from South African, Chinese, and U.S. speakers. The "ProWein goes City" initiative brought over 130 events to Düsseldorf, turning the city into a vibrant wine hub. With its dynamic mix of tastings, networking, and thought leadership, ProWein 2025 was, all in all, a wonderful experience.

The next ProWein Düsseldorf will be held from 15 to 17 March 2026 and ProWine Mumbai from 31 October to 1 November 2025 – RKS

California Grapes: Less Harvest, Lower Prices

California’s 2024 grape crush has hit a two-decade low, with just 2.844 million tonnes processed—down 24% from 2023’s 3.685 million tonnes, according to The Pacific Region Grape Crush Report. This figure is notably lower than the 3.2 million tonnes estimated in January’s Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) wine industry report, highlighting the ongoing struggles within the state’s wine sector. A major factor is oversupply—37,000 acres of vineyards were removed last year to balance the market, yet industry leaders argue an additional 50,000 acres need to be pulled.

Compounding this issue, wildfires have taken a toll, with Napa’s Newton Vineyard announcing its closure in February, four years after the Glass Fire devastated the region. At the same time, grape prices are falling, with the average dropping 4.5% to $992.51 per ton, and white grapes taking the hardest hit at just $698.61 per ton. Even Napa, typically commanding the highest prices, saw a 2.3% dip to $6,863.46 per ton. With these pressures mounting, industry experts predict an even smaller crush in 2025.