In its second edition, The Bangalore International Wine Festival promises three days of wine education, tastings, stompings and of course lots of free wine

We don't have the luxury of heading out of town to a festival in the middle of a vineyard that celebrates wine like the Sula Wine festival, an annual affair now in Nasik, Maharashtra. But what we do have are three days of fun with lots of wine consumption up ahead this weekend right here in the city as part of the BIFW 2011.



"This year's festival is bigger and better. Some of the best sommeliers from around the world will be coming and speaking at the event and show people how to appreciate wine," says Mahaneet Nanjundaiah, director of Cosmic Meltdown Crew Pvt Ltd, an event management company that owns the property and is managing the festival privately this year.

Apart from wine appreciation at the festival, there will be exhibitions, seminars, wine tastings and grape stomping too where you can give the traditional way of squeezing wine out of grapes in a giant vat a shot too. Experts will also show wine enthusiasts how to pair food like cheese, seafood and meat with the right kind of wine. Look out for food stalls that will sell seafood and meat, coconut based dishes and even grills.u00a0

u00a0This year local wines like Naka, Kinvah, Seasons, Elite, Big Banyan are being showcased along with Aspri, an Australian wine and Nine Hills, a South African wine. Wine companies will also try to lure in the crowd with free wine tastings, and giving out accessories like free glasses and openers.

"Wine is healthy and good for the heart. It's sold across the world in departmental stores, not only in liquor stores but in India the consumption is less than five per cent. We want to encourage people to drink wine as a healthy alternative to alcohol," says Nanjundaiah, who also wants to promote locally grown wines.

And where there is wine, can music and bonhomie be far behind. At the three day festival get set to tune into bands from across the country like Beat Gurus, Audio File, Distortion Culture, Holocaust and Amethyst among others. DJs will also bring the house down with their brand of electronica, techno and Bollywood tracks.

Having a regular festival dedicated to wine is good news for wine company owners likeu00a0 BN Nanjundaiah, chairman Naka Wines. He says, "Even though the consumption of wine in the country is low, the culture of wine consumption is improving, there is more awareness and people are voluntarily buying wine. This year's festival has a lot more companies coming together."u00a0u00a0The festival saw 18,000 footfalls at last year's edition and this year the organisers are expecting at least 35,000.

At: Palace Grounds, Mekhri Circle Entrance
On: from March 11 to 13, 12 noon to 10 pm Call 9844201845
For: Rs 100 entry per person
Log on to: www.biwf.in