(From top): Magandeep Singh, Pooja Bedi and Ishvien Singh (left to right) at the StarX wine-tasting session; Rahul Dev flanked by female models at the DAKS fashion show; Nalini Singh, Namita Gokhale and Oroon Das (left to right) at the Maurya Sheraton

Winning wines

Smell, swirl and sip,? were the words on everyone?s lips at the recently held wine-tasting session at the Mayfair Rooms near Qutab Minar. The occasion was the launch of an array of international wines by StarX Wines. The wines in question come both from traditional wine-growers in France and Italy and also from others in Argentina, Australia, South Africa, California, Chile, Greece and Eastern Europe.

Naturally with StarX Wines boasting such a heady variety in its portfolio, there were plenty of exotic wines for tasting at the event. Pinotage (South Africa), Zinfandel Rose (California), Villa Negra (Valencia), Kadarka (Serbia) and Schloss Bochingen were just some of the red, white and rose wines making the rounds at the Mayfair Rooms.

At the end of a session of much sniffing and tasting, sommelier Magandeep Singh made a recce of the audience?s choice. Most of the women present voted for the rose with its distinct fleshy strawberry aroma and tangy finish. The emcee for the evening, the lovely Pooja Bedi, however, couldn?t decide. ?It would have to depend my mood,? she smiled.

To be retailed through wine and spirit shops, restaurants, bars and hotels, the wines imported by StarX, cost between Rs 650 and Rs 1,050 per bottle.

?With more and more Indians travelling overseas, and owing to a far greater exposure to various world cuisines, we are rapidly acquiring new tastes and food habits. Our conviction in the principle of ?variety for value? dictates the selection of these wines,? said Ishvien Singh, managing director, StarX Wines.

So as the Bacchanalian saying goes, ?Drink wine and live here blitheful while ye may/ The morrow?s life too late is, live today?

Shakuntala?s tale

It?s the story of Shakuntala. No, not the Dushyanta one, but author Namita Gokhale?s spirited and imaginative heroine, who like her legendary namesake, is destined to suffer the ?samskaras of abandonment?. Shakuntala: The Play of Memory was recently released at an event at the Maurya Sheraton in Delhi that attracted book-lovers, authors and media personalities.

In the book, the very first time Shakuntala runs away from home, she is barely past childhood. She finds refuge in a cave with a woman who introduces her to the mysteries of the mother-goddess. ?Remember,? she is told, ?that in every one of her forms, the goddess is always Swamini, mistress of herself?. It is a valuable lesson, Shakuntala discovers, as she navigates the startling twists her life takes.

Priced at Rs 300, Shakuntala: The Play of Memory has also been published in Hindi, under Penguin?s new Indian language publishing programme, as Shakuntala: Smriti Jaal. At the event, television personality Nalini Singh and designer Oroon Das read extracts from the book.

Shoe-shining

One of London?s foremost fashion labels, DAKS has just launched its footwear range in association with the Forbes Group. The show was held at Mumbai?s upmarket shoe store, The Loft. Located at Hiranandani Township, Powai, The Loft was done up for the evening to resemble a ramp.

Opening the show was showstopper and model-turned-actor Dino Morea, who strutted up and down in his favourite DAKS footwear. The high-stepping show included a brisk dance sequence by a London- based dancer, and a fashion show.

Today, footwear is clearly divided into formal, sport and loungewear, and all three were on display during the evening. Besides the latest DAKS styles on show, the brand?s new Spring-Summer collection was also modelled. Choreographed by Achla Sachdev, the show had the models ? yes, male ones ? wearing sarongs which were touted as the garment of choice if you?re heading for the beach.

At the event, women didn?t get much of a look in because DAKS is starting in India with its men?s range before it moves into other areas. The female models at the event were clad in loungewear and sporty ensembles courtesy local designers, and opened each section of the show, after which they left the male models to do their bit.

The show, ended on a high note when another model-turned-actor, Rahul Dev, hit the ramp in loungewear shoes. Hosted by actor Rohit Roy, the DAKS style fest got some of the country?s best-known models like Muzammil Ibrahim and Tupur Chatterjee, among others to sashay down the ramp. After the show wrapped up, the party moved to Rodas, where the models and guests were treated to the swaying moves of a belly dancer.

Photographs by Rupinder Sharma and Gajanan Dudhalkar