From Sparkling to Still. Chandon Introduces their new Still Wine, Aurva

From Sparkling to Still. Chandon Introduces their new Still Wine, Aurva

By Author

Published on October 27, 2023

When you think of Chandon, sparkling wines probably come to mind. However, the luxury brand is breaking new ground by introducing a still red wine made in India, and it's making quite an impression. Named Aurva, which translates to 'of the earth' in Sanskrit, this wine is a testament to Chandon's commitment to innovation and the diverse wine culture in India.

Chandon, a label known for its sparkling Chenin Blanc and Shiraz-rich Rosé, decided it was time to offer something for those with a taste for red wine. It's a significant departure from their usual offerings, and it aims to change the perception of India as solely a brown spirit market.

Aurva is a 100% Shiraz red wine, and its character reflects the rich red soil of Nashik's Dindori region, an unconventional but promising terroir for wine production. The winemakers have gone to great lengths to ensure its excellence.

The journey of creating this exquisite red wine involved meticulous care. The Shiraz grapes, cultivated in Nashik's unique climate, were trained with only one shoot per branch. They were closely monitored to allow a fixed number of bunches, and vertical shoot positioning ensured the right amount of sun and ventilation. The result: a vibrant, aromatic, and sensuous red wine.

This wine goes through a 10-day fermentation process and is then aged in both new and old French oak barrels for ten months. The French oak barrels from François Frères, renowned for their high quality, lend depth and complexity to the wine, making it an experience worth savoring.

When you pour yourself a glass of Aurva and let it breathe for about 30 minutes, you're in for a treat. It's a deep ruby Shiraz with a purple hue, offering rich fruit aromas, a velvety smooth texture, and flavors of cloves, cherry, blueberry, and plum. As you swirl, you'll also notice hints of vanilla, coffee beans, chocolate, and the subtle influence of oak. It's a wine that combines tradition with finesse.

While Chandon's sparkling wines have been their forte for a decade, the introduction of Aurva is an exciting new chapter in their winemaking history. It's a reflection of the brand's dedication to pushing boundaries and bringing innovative wines to the Indian market.

This exceptional wine stands as a symbol of India's potential in the world of luxury wines. While Indian consumers are exploring various wine styles, Chandon's Aurva is set to stand out as an elegant choice for celebratory evenings, complementing a wide range of contemporary and traditional Indian dishes. It pairs perfectly with grilled and barbecued meats, full-flavored curries, roasted vegetables, and cheese.

Moët Hennessy India, a leader in the luxury wine and spirits segment, has distributed Aurva, further emphasizing its commitment to excellence in India's wine culture. This premium red wine is available at select retail outlets and five-star properties in Mumbai, as well as the Chandon winery in Nashik. Soon, it will be accessible in other key markets across India, making it a wine to watch out for.

Chandon's introduction of Aurva is a significant step in India's wine journey. This premium red wine pays homage to the rich terroir of Nashik, celebrating the land and mythic beauty of this unique region. With its delightful flavors and aromas, Aurva is poised to become a classic choice for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs in India and beyond. Cheers to the new era of Indian winemaking!


Manam Chocolate Spreads the Joy This Diwali with Its 2025 Festive Collection

Manam Chocolate Spreads the Joy This Diwali with Its 2025 Festive Collection

By Hariharan U

Published on October 11, 2025

The clinking of glasses, laughter echoing through homes, and tables filled with sweets, snacks, and gifts, it can only mean one thing: Diwali is here. And this year, Manam Chocolate joins the celebration with its Diwali Edition 2025, crafted to capture the spirit of togetherness that defines the season.

Manam’s festive collection celebrates the tables we gather around, where families reunite, friends reconnect, and conversations stretch late into the night. Whether it’s for a long dinner, a taash night, or simply a quiet evening at home, the brand’s new collection brings something special to every kind of gathering. Because at the heart of Diwali, there’s always room for more, more laughter, more food, and of course, more chocolate.

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The Manam Diwali Edition 2025 is designed around the theme of festive tables, filled with gifts to share, flavours to discover, and moments to savour. The collection includes an array of indulgent chocolates, pastries, and desserts, offering something for every celebration and every palate. From grand centerpiece assortments to small treats meant to be shared, Manam invites everyone to create their own kind of Diwali.

India’s award-winning craft chocolate brand brings a collection of bonbons, palettes, tablets, clusters, cookies, thins, spreads, and more, all made from cacao beans grown in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Each creation is beautifully packed in limited-edition boxes illustrated by artist Namrata Kumar, whose signature impressionistic style captures scenes from Manam’s cacao farms and fermentery, the Chocolate Karkhana in Hyderabad, and homes filled with festive warmth.

The Highlights of Manam’s Diwali 2025 Collection, The Diwali Indulgence Collection – Bite-sized bonbons and palettes in flavours like Coconut & Curry Leaf, Hazelnut Praline, Lemon Cheesecake, and Birthday Cake. Treats & Tablets Box – A mix of textures and origins featuring Malabar 69%, Toffee Almond, and Raspberry & Rose, Celebration & Gifting Assortments – Ranging from the lavish Diwali Celebration Box to the compact Diwali Snack Selection, each box is crafted for gifting and gatherings. Diwali Preference Boxes – Curated to suit every taste, including dark, milk, vegan, and sweet-spice profiles, The Diwali Tablet Library – A selection of Manam’s most loved tablets like Pistachio Fudge, Coconut & Almond, Chai Biscuit, and Raspberry & Rose. The Diwali Dessert Spread, A rich mix of cakes and entremets, perfect for post-dinner indulgence, Diwali Celebration Cakes – Made to order, featuring flavours such as Hazelnut Coffee, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Carrot & Apricot, and Coconut Lemon Custard. 

Each product has been designed to travel beautifully, look elegant, and fit perfectly into every festive moment — from gifting to hosting.

Visit & Order:
Manam Chocolate is available at:

  • New Delhi: Eldeco Centre, Saket

  • Hyderabad: Manam Chocolate Karkhana, Banjara Hills; Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar, Knowledge City
    Pan-India deliveries are available via www.manamchocolate.com. Orders can also be placed through Swiggy and Zomato in Hyderabad.

About Manam Chocolate:

Manam Chocolate, listed among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2024 and Conde Nast Traveller India’s Top Restaurants 2024, is a proudly Indian Craft Chocolate® brand. Derived from the Telugu word “Manam,” meaning “We” or “Us,” the brand represents a collective of farmers, fermenters, chocolate makers, and chocolatiers from Andhra Pradesh, redefining the craft chocolate movement in India with over 300 unique products across 50 categories.

This Diwali, Manam invites everyone to celebrate the tables that bring people together — where memories are made, laughter shared, and one more piece of chocolate is always welcome. Because when Manam Chocolate is at the table, there’s always room for more.


Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 17, 2025

Chinese Wok, India’s largest home-grown Desi Chinese QSR brand, marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration rooted in joy and community spirit. Instead of limiting the milestone to its restaurants, the brand chose to give back by serving more than 10,000 freshly prepared meals to school children across 10 cities in 10 days.

The initiative spanned major cities including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Lucknow, reaching underserved communities with hearty Desi Chinese meals. Each event became a celebration of togetherness, with children enjoying not just the food but also moments of laughter, games, and branded merchandise that made the experience memorable.

What made the initiative truly special was the hands-on participation of hundreds of Chinese Wok employees from restaurants, regional offices, and the corporate team. They came together to cook, serve, and spend time with the children, ensuring the celebration went beyond food to create genuine connections.

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Reflecting on the milestone, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Director, Lenexis Foodworks, shared,

“Completing 10 years is a proud milestone for all of us at Chinese Wok. We wanted to celebrate not just within our restaurants, but by bringing joy to children and communities that inspire us every day. This initiative reflects our long-term belief that food can be a force for good, and we will continue to build on this commitment as we grow.”

This initiative also underscores the larger vision of Lenexis Foodworks, the parent company of Chinese Wok, Big Bowl, and The Momo Co. By focusing on food as a force for good, the group continues to expand its footprint across India while making a lasting impact in the communities it serves.


Sip in Style: Yuki’s Tequila Cocktails Hit All the Right Notes

Sip in Style: Yuki’s Tequila Cocktails Hit All the Right Notes

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 31, 2025

At Yuki, sipping tequila is no longer just about salt and lime, it’s about exploring bold flavours, subtle aromas, and creative twists inspired by Pan-Asian flair. This stylish spot isn’t just a feast for the palate with its cuisine, but now also delights with a cocktail menu that’s bursting with personality.

Whether you’re a tequila enthusiast or just cocktail-curious, Yuki’s mixologists have designed a lineup that balances classic notes with playful innovation. Here’s what’s pouring:

Pandan Teq-Tea

This one’s a game-changer. A gentle blend of tequila, pandan syrup, and a hint of lime creates a smooth, slightly sweet drink with a vanilla-like aroma. It’s soft, fragrant, and a total crowd-pleaser for those who like their cocktails a little off the beaten path.

Summer in Osaka

If summer had a signature drink, this would be it. Imagine tequila meeting creamy toasted coconut, refreshing coconut water, earthy matcha crème, and a dusting of beetroot. The result? A layered, tropical cocktail that feels like a warm breeze with every sip.

Tuk Tuk Tom

This one’s for the bold-hearted. Inspired by Southeast Asian street flavors, it brings the iconic zing of Tom Yum into your glass. Tequila mingles with chilli heat, parsley freshness, and a citrusy lift from lime, giving you a spicy, herby hit that lingers in the best way.

The Classic Margarita

Some things never go out of style. Yuki’s take on the Margarita keeps it clean and crisp, premium agave, a splash of orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. It’s a simple reminder of why this cocktail became a global favourite in the first place.

Yuki Picante

Think tropical meets spicy. Pineapple juice, lime, and agave nectar form the base, while coriander and jalapeño bring a zesty punch. It's lively, bold, and designed to wake up your taste buds.

Yuki doesn’t just serve cocktails, it curates experiences in a glass. Whether you're out with friends or just winding down after a long day, their tequila range adds the perfect spark to your evening. So the next time you’re at Yuki, raise a glass to flavour, flair, and a sip-worthy adventure.

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