A bar tender displays wines at Yuvraj Palace in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Nov. 15: With the state government modifying its policies, wines are now being sold off the counter in the hotels of the capital.

Restaurants and eateries serving alcohol to their guests in the city have now included exclusive varieties of wines to cater to the elite who want something more than just dining out.

Red wines, white wines and even champagne have found its place in the bars and is slowly being accepted by the denixens of the city.

Wines have also gained favour in comparison to other alcoholic beverages because of its exquisite taste and distinct flavour,” said Hotel Yuvraj Palace director Sudhir Chopra.

Among the popular wines doing the rounds are Ivy Zinfandel, Riviera Red Wine, Riviera Rose Wine and Rivera White Wine. Corked bottles of champagne Marquise De Pompador is also a hot favourite and very popular in the city hotels.

The wines served in bottles are not given in small measures like the other drinks, Chopra explained. The wines are pegged between Rs 850 to 1200 depending on their taste and flavour. Special grape wine is also available for customers in the hotel,” he added. People have also started preferring wines after knowing about its qualities.

“We serve wines in special tulip glasses which narrow down at the top to help the flavour concentrate and can be sensed through the nostrils. The tingling sensation of different wines gives a different kind of a high,” Chopra added. Wines have suddenly picked up sale in the market with more and more people opting for wines rather than other hard drinks. “Wines have comparitively lesser volume of alcohol and are less harmful. From the health point of view also wines score better as they work as good appetisers,” said a senior staff of the Hotel Ellora. Capitol Hill food and beverages manager Narendra Singh, said that wines have become very popular these days.“Apart from the youngsters we have a lot of middle aged customers who opt for wines before going for their main course.

The best part about wines is that the drink can be taken either before or after meals and work just as fine.

While it works as an appetiser before meals, it helps in digestion if consumed after having food,” Singh said.

Divesh Agarawal, an employee in a private insurance company said that wines are good as they do not have a pungent taste or smell to it. Moreover, wines are not bitter as other hard drinks and is quite palatable,” he said.