Wines are like people. Some are peppery and some are fruity. All of them leave a unique flavor behind.  As we held our glasses and sipped our wines, we were reminded of the people we left behind at the auditions.

6 wines that reminded us of you.

The Sauvignon Blanc, a dry white with its aromatic, crisp and with hints of green peppers and spice was Charu at her best especially at the dinner table when an unsuspecting Bharath would get teeny doses of her ’ peppers and spice’

Vamsi was most definitely the Chenin Blanc with a ‘light, fresh, fruity character’, a semi-dry white, our aperitif to every meal.

Pavitra breezing through the room reminded us of the Rose Zinfandel, a fruity mix of red and white abounding with aromas of honeysuckle and fresh strawberries.

Cabernet Shiraz, a smooth, medium-bodied red wine was most definitely Harry with peppery notes and nuances of oak. This deep purple wine has great balance and a lingering finish.

Sitting there all mellow with surprisingly well timed and sharp witted comments, Ramesh was the Reserve Shiraz, a fragrant, elegant and smooth red, with surprising berry flavors and silky tannins.

And then we had the late harvest chenin blanc and looked at each other and said ‘most definitely Gaurav’.With aromas of lemon, pear, honey, and tropical fruit, this dessert wine couldn’t be compared to anyone else..

P.S- They let us taste only 6 wines!!!!
P.P.S- Bharath on redbull is like a cat on a hot tin roof, reminding me of Rooshad. Didn’t need any wine there, did we?

A detour. NH3 behind us. Step into wine country. Smiles on our faces. Cameras out. Wine tasting. More smiles. Radhika giggles. Comfy chairs. Glasses swirling. Sipping some Sauvignon Blanc.Wine tour. Continue with the giggles. Cameraman Gautam rolls eyes. A little piece of France right here in our backyard.

In the very spirit of this journey as we are driving on NH3 towards Nasik to get a taste of the vineyards, the feelings of apprehension have been replaced by a longing for the road and the experience of the journey. The unknown, the unfamiliar, the surprises and the changes in plans is something we look forward to.

Route 66, one of the original highways in the United States is long romanticized for the scenic journey and historic importance to the country. Though only a few parts of the original route remain it still holds a sentimental value to travelers who traverse these highways. As we follow our route I hope we capture the spirit and endurance of the original route in what we’ve christened as our route 66.

In the midst of the chaos and honking(and cursing)in Mumbai traffic, the sight of the familiar black and yellows with their multitude of typography, quirky geometric patterns with gods and bollywood all rolled into one, for me the taxicab of the city is one of its primary icons.

Our classic premier padmini taxicab has now rolled into retirement since 2008 with the government legislation banning all cabs above 25 years from the city’s streets. Even the newest cab is a decade old. Based on a small fiat sedan from the 60’s the padmini was names after a Rajput princess known for her beauty and courage.

Though synonymous with Mumbai, the taxicab means different things for different people. For first timers like Bharath who visited Mumbai in 2005, the cab which swung from left to right sometimes without even stopping for a traffic light, bumping into each other without checking for damage, him profusely sweating in the velvet covered seats at the back it was his first ‘glimpse’ into Mumbai.
Many dents cover the metal body and one can hear the characteristic diesel clatter as it waits at a traffic light, wheezing sounds emanating from the engine as it touches 60kmph on the expressway; it is almost as if the cab is held together by hope or sheer will.

For me the taxicab and the anonymous taxi driver go hand in hand. He is privy to the hopes, dreams and disappointments of Mumbai’s people as lives are played out in his backseat.
Mumbai will never be the same without these great urban art forms.