Wine Shelf

Virtual Tour of Wine Shops in Delhi
The 2010 Commonwealth Games being hosted in India has nearly changed the face of the Capital City. New Delhi is buzzing with preparations of all kinds in every nook and cranny for the welcoming of guests from all over the world.
Most Delhites' aggravation with Metro construction diversions and pollution is overshadowed by the thrill of new restaurants cropping up in various parts of the city and suburbs, giving wings to our explorative souls and more to do with ourselves when bored to death in the demonic heat of the city.
Adding to this bubbling excitement is the concept of ‘wine shops' becoming increasing popular, giving the progressive crowd a reason to avoid the usual shady ‘thekas'. While we aren't ignoring the existence of the smaller local panwaris, us middle class folk have yearned for a decent place to relaxingly browse a wide selection of top shelf, firangi spiked beverages.
To save yourself from the above mentioned demonic temperatures, bask in the cool shade of glass-lined, wall-to-wall beverage showcase with the foreign country seals you desire, and hop on over to any of the ferment lovers' paradise below.
South Delhi
High Times
It really is high time that wine shops became more accessible to the public, especially to females. The Government realizing the potential, started this initiative to open specialty high end liquor stores that offer a sophisticated experience to the junta. Now women have a place to go order a bottle of vodka without the looks that imply "what are YOU doing here". Guys, it's ok for a female to touch alcohol. And sensible placement in a high traffic mall right next to LaMarche for grourmet food pairings. This newcomer is daring enough to stock wines on the higher end. Enter with deep pockets.
Currently open in DLF Place Mall, Saket and Rajouri Garden.
Savitri Cinema
An unlikely nook to place a wine shop (with those nicer yellow "Govt Approved" signs) amongst banks and courier services. When you enter, the champagnes are displayed to your immediate left in a glass corner shelf. Adjacent to this are a few Indian wine producers who manage to grab the prime shelf space next to the popular liquor. For the rest of the stock, you have to go to the back of the shop where wooden shelves carry everything from domestics like Sula, Nine Hills to imported ranging from Yellow Tail to lesser-known Bordeaux wines.
Masjid Moth
Another nukkad shop that the GK II vicinity seems to love. And we love it due to it's quaint approach – arched hallway with small snack shops to load up on junk food. Albeit a small selection of wines, this is a popular spot for weekend house party stocking up.
Barista – Defence Colony Market
In the Italian café tradition, Barista struck up a deal with Sula Vineyards to both make wine more mainstream an also provide it's customers an option to order a glass of wine while reading their novels. Certainly a novel idea, but the concept will take it's sweet time to Barista-goers' taste buds.
Gurgaon
Spencer's Retail Wine
It is such a relief to enter a wine shop that carriers a larger stock of wine than other liquor. Wine is certainly cheaper in Gurgaon as compared to Delhi or Noida, so make it a point to stop by a liquor store when on the Haryana side of NCR. Spencer's merchandizing department is on it's to be the king pin of the wine buying experience. With the staff supposedly trained under Sommelier Magandeep Singh, you have a wine advisor guiding you through the racks of names you may have not heard of before. And there's the added advantage of picking up food items from their grocery section. A good place to do your monthly stocking of the wine rack/cooler.
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