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News18
31-07-2025
- General
- News18
Not Just For Cocktails: Busting The Biggest Misconceptions About Indian Rum
Today, Indian rum is undergoing a renaissance. From rustic beginnings to refined expressions, it's finding new fans and a bold new identity Rum, often seen as the liquid essence of celebration, has deep roots not just in the Caribbean but right here in India where sugarcane has long been a part of our land, culture and craft. Long before colonial influences, traditional Indian communities were fermenting sugarcane juice into spirited brews like laahan and sidhu earthy, homegrown expressions of what we now know as rum. During the colonial era, rum became even more popular, especially with British soldiers, and large-scale production began. Over time, it became a drink loved across the country from small towns to big cities, cutting across class and culture. Today, Indian rum is undergoing a renaissance. From rustic beginnings to refined expressions, it's finding new fans and a bold new identity. So, the next time you crave a sip of something meaningful, turn to the legacy of Indian rum. Whether enjoyed neat, in a vibrant cocktail or as part of a modern twist let it transport you through time from our ancient fields of cane to a future full of flavour and pride. Here's to breaking the myths and celebrating the irresistible charm of this iconic spirit. Myth 1: Every Rum Is Made Using Molasses It's a common belief that rum is only made from molasses, the byproduct of sugar production. While many rums do use molasses, some of the finest expressions are made from pure sugarcane juice, offering a fresher, more aromatic profile. Known as rhum agricole in the French Caribbean, and now increasingly embraced in India, this style brings a new level of complexity and terroir to the spirit. In fact, India is now one of the largest producers of cane juice rum, thanks to its abundant sugarcane cultivation and growing focus on craft spirits. Camikara, for example, is a pure cane juice rum that breaks away from molasses traditions, showcasing the untapped potential of India's sugarcane heritage. Myth 2: Rum is not barrel aged Contrary to popular belief, many rums are aged in barrels and can match the complexity of whisky. Old Monk is aged up to 7 years in oak, offering smooth, nostalgic warmth, while Nepal's Khukri Rum brings rich, woody depth through traditional aging. On the premium end, Camikara 12 YO: First Indian rum to win a Gold Medal at the prestigious IWSC — is aged for 12 years. Even younger expressions like Camikara 3 YO show how thoughtful aging brings balance and character. Rum, at its core, is a spirit of craftsmanship and care. Myth 3: Rum is only for winters In India, rum is often seen as a winter drink linked to army canteens and cold-weather comfort. But that's just one side of the story. Rum has always belonged to the tropical regions from the sun-soaked fields of Jamaica and Barbados to the sugarcane heartlands of India. seasons. Dark rums like Old Monk and Khukri XXX are winter favorites, but brands like Bacardi have long shown rum's refreshing side through summery cocktails. Today, Indian labels like Camikara are redefining rum as a versatile spirit just as suited to a chilled summer pour as a cozy winter one. Myth 4: Rum Is Always Flavoured Many people think of rum as a sweet, flavored spirit spiced, coconut, vanilla or tropical fruit infused. While flavoured rums have their place, especially in casual cocktails, they represent just one side of the category. The heart of true rum lies in its unflavored, pure expressions where the real flavour comes from the cane, the fermentation and the aging process. Rums like Old Monk, often mistaken as flavoured due to its rich vanilla and caramel notes, are in fact unflavoured dark rums, with their profile shaped by oak barrel aging. On the other end of the spectrum, Camikara made from 100% pure cane juice with no added flavours or sugars, highlight the spirit's natural complexity and craftsmanship. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Want to wow with your wines at your summer gatherings? Whatever your taste, we round up some high quality, award-winning bottles that are sure to impress your guests (and these options are all UNDER £15!)
From garden BBQs and dinner parties to picnics in the park, summer is the perfect time for a gathering. And when it's your turn to host, it's nice to be able to pull out a great bottle of wine... Asda is the UK's most awarded supermarket for wine across three of the most prestigious industry awards: the International Wine Challenge (IWC), the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), and the Decanter World Wine Awards. In fact, across the three major wine competitions, Asda has received more awards than Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Waitrose. Below, we delve into their range to reveal some of our favourite award-winning bottles. And to help keep things affordable, all the ones we've picked are under £15! There's an option for every taste, from a classic Burgundy and an outstanding Aussie shiraz to one absolutely mouthwatering Rioja. Cheers! Exceptional White Burgundy 2023 Price: £11.13 Chardonnay grapes thrive in the chalky, limestone soils of Burgundy, which in turn influence the unique taste and character of local wines. In this case, the result is a wine that combines hints of citrus and apple tart with the subtle aroma of toasted almonds. Crisp and moreish, it's delicious served chilled at any summer gathering, and like other whites will work well with delicate flavours, like white fish. The wine received a silver medal from the IWSC and Decanter judges. Clive Donaldson, Asda's Senior Manager for Wine Sourcing, said the plaudits were evidence of the supermarket's 'quality of suppliers and breadth of knowledge' in the region of Burgundy. Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Exceptional Great Western Shiraz 2022 Price: £7.98 Despite originating in France, the shiraz grape has found a hospitable climate in the cooler vineyards of western Victoria in Australia. This graces wines with a full-bodied, lively character that makes them a delightful companion to rich, highly flavoured foods like dry-aged steak, aged cheese or roast duck. The Exceptional Great Western Shiraz 2022 - obtained exclusively for Asda - marries fruity blueberry and blackberry flavours with a hint of sweet spice. And as yet another gold medal winner for the supermarket at the IWC 2025, it comes with a ringing endorsement from some of the world's most respected wine experts. Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Exceptional Gavi di Gavi 2024 Price: £10.27 Another gold medal winner exclusive to Asda, this bottle hails from southern Piedmont, a picturesque region of Italy known for its rolling hills, historic villages. And of course, it's absolutely spectacular wines! The wine is made using the cortese grape, which is known for its light flavour and moderate acidity. The result is a dry white incorporating lemony and floral notes with the expressive aromas of pear and peach fruit - followed up by a crisp, nutty finish. It's well worth keeping a bottle or two in the fridge for your next garden gathering or dinner party. Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Asda Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Reserva 2019 Price: £8.07 Named by the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 as one of its Top 30 Value Golds, this wine was awarded 95 points out of a possible 100. Judges were blown away by the taste, which they described as combining 'plump red cherry, cranberry and redcurrant with a moreish espresso, dark chocolate edge'. They also noted its 'mouth-watering fruit driven length' - a term that refers to the way a wine's aromas linger on the palate. Hailing from the famous Rioja region of Spain, it's perfect for pairing with roast lamb or Mexican dishes - so start rolling up those tortillas! Add it to your Asda basket HERE. Lugana 2024 Price: £11.42 (currently on Rollback at £9.96 until July 2, 2025) The Lugana 2024 is an Italian white made from grapes grown around the southern shores of Lake Garda. This particular bottle is produced exclusively for Asda by a small artisanal producer who uses a local grape variety known as Turbiana. The result is a satisfying palate combining refreshing green apple, pear and pineapple flavours with a twist of Italian herbs. Expect a crisp clean white wine that pairs brilliantly with lighter Italian flavours – basil, mozzarella, tomatoes and pesto. It's no surprise this is yet another gold medal winner for Asda! Add it to your Asda basket HERE. With 395 awards across the International Wine Challenge Awards 2025, The International Wine and Spirit Challenge Awards 2025 and the Decanter World Wine awards 2025. For verification visit All results available to see on Includes Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Co-op, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer. Selected stores and lines. Subject to availability. If you look under 25 and want to buy alcohol you will need to prove your age. Challenge 25. No I.D. No sale. You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol. Alcohol available to purchase from 10am in Scotland. Wines featured: Exceptional Gavi di Gavi 2024 £10.27 per 75cl. Awarded Gold at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Asda Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Reserva £8.07 per 75cl . Awarded Sliver at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards 2025 (IWSC), Awarded Gold and the top value award at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Lugana 2024 £11.42 per 75cl. Awarded Sliver at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Bronze at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2025 (IWSC), Awarded Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Exceptional Great Western Shiraz 2022 £7.98 per 75cl. Awarded Gold at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards (IWC), Awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards 2025 (IWSC). Awarded Bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Exceptional White Burgundy 2023 £11.13 per 75cl. Awarded Bronze at the International Wine Challenge 2025 Awards. Awarded Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards 2025. Awarded Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. May exclude Asda Express and Small Stores, see stores.
Glasgow Times
07-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Glasgow Times
I taste tested Aldi's award-winning wines with mixed reviews
Whether it's a nice Shiraz with a steak dinner, a sparkling Rosé in a beer garden on a warm summer's day, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, there is something to suit everyone's taste buds. But with so many fantastic options to choose from, it can be hard to find the perfect bottle that is just right for you. If you are looking for a great value wine, as well as something that tastes fantastic, I find the best place to start (as with most things) is Aldi. To help convince you further about Aldi's selection, 46 of their wines have recently been awarded medals at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2025. From those award-winning tipples, social media wine expert and IWSC judge Andy Pincott, aka the Affordable Wine Hunter, picked the six best that you can buy for under £10. So, I took his advice and popped down to my local Aldi to grab a bottle of each. My wife and I, who have very different palates when it comes to wine, then spent an afternoon relaxing at home with a charcuterie board and these six wines, testing to see whether they lived up to the high praise. My take on Aldi's best award-winning wines Sous Les Mers (£6.99) The experts described Aldi's Sous Les Mers as "an easy-drinking French white that offers freshness and balance", and I agree. (Image: Patrick Glover) Andy described the Sous Les Mers as an "easy-drinking French white that offers freshness and balance". My wife and I couldn't have agreed more, both taken back by the softness of the flavour, and how "drinkable" it was. This was my wife's favourite of the six wines. No matter where you are drinking this wine, you can just imagine yourself sitting in a beer garden somewhere in the summer sun. On top of all that, it is "amazing value" at £6.99. Costières de Nîmes Blanc (£8.99) The Costières de Nimes Blanc is your traditional, dry white wine. (Image: Patrick Glover) This southern French white wine was extremely flavourful. Think your traditional, dry white wine with citrus flavours (although I swear I could taste apple). Ideal if you are looking for a wine to have with an evening meal. Both my wife and I agreed that the Costières de Nîmes Blanc was about middle of the range in comparison to the five others. Rosorange (£9.99) Aldi's Rosorange is one wine to avoid. (Image: Patrick Glover) Next, we ventured on to Aldi's Rosorange, which has proven itself as somewhat of a viral trend in recent years. Both my wife and I honestly didn't see the appeal. It ranked an extremely distant last when compared to Aldi's other award-winning wines. It was tangy, you couldn't really taste the orange, and it left a weird, overpowering aftertaste in your mouth. I'm sorry to say, as I hate wasting even a single drop of alcohol, the Rosé went straight down the sink after we'd finished the taste test. While the taste is bad enough, the Rosorange Rosé was the most expensive of the six wines as well at £9.99. Definitely one to steer clear of. Specially Selected Austrian Zweigelt (£7.99) The Austrian Zweigelt was my favourite wine of the six we tried. (Image: Patrick Glover) With the white wines out of the way, we cleansed our palates with some water and more cheese and made our way onto the red wines - my favourite. Having spent the first 26 years of my life in Australia, living off delicious reds from the likes of Penfolds, Yalumba and d'Arenberg, I am very much a full-bodied red wine drinker. So I was surprised when I discovered the medium-bodied Austrian Zweigelt to be my favourite Aldi wine. Giving off aromas of berries and forest fruits, it has a wonderful spicy taste accompanied by a smooth finish. While my wife didn't like it as much, I thought it was a fantastic wine and is definitely worth adding to your shopping list next time you visit Aldi. Specially Selected Caladoc Rouge (£7.99) This red wine is a mixture of Malbec and Grenache. (Image: Patrick Glover) The Specially Selected Caladoc Rouge received mixed reviews from my wife and I. It was one of my least favourite of the Aldi wines, while it was my wife's favourite out of the reds. This red is a mixture of Malbec and Grenache and, for me, was just a bit of flavour overload. There was just too much going on. It gave off a fruity aroma, said to be of "stewed plums and brambles", while the taste is described on the bottle as a combination of "earth, pepper and blackcurrants". Bureiras Vides Cabernet Franc – (£8.99) Aldi's Cabernet Franc is a classic full-bodied red wine with smoky/peppery flavours. (Image: Patrick Glover) The final wine on our tasting journey was the Argentinian Cabernet Franc. This is a classic full-bodied red with a smoky, peppery kind of taste, not too dissimilar to that of a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. An ideal pairing for a dinner-time meal like beef stew. Worth a try for those traditional red wine drinkers out there, although is one of the more pricer options on the list at £8.99. RECOMMENDED READING: The last drop (conclusion) After a few hours of wine tasting, my wife and I concluded that despite both having our favourites, which were both extremely different, it doesn't matter what we think. Everyone has their own tastes. So what I like will be different from what my wife likes, which will be different again from what you, the reader, likes. So, take in our little taste testing notes, hopefully they are a helpful guide, but go out and buy the wine that you like. It might be from Aldi, it could be from M&S, or Asda. But wherever it's from, just follow your taste buds.
Leader Live
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Leader Live
I taste tested Aldi's award-winning wines with mixed reviews
Whether it's a nice Shiraz with a steak dinner, a sparkling Rosé in a beer garden on a warm summer's day, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, there is something to suit everyone's taste buds. But with so many fantastic options to choose from, it can be hard to find the perfect bottle that is just right for you. If you are looking for a great value wine, as well as something that tastes fantastic, I find the best place to start (as with most things) is Aldi. To help convince you further about Aldi's selection, 46 of their wines have recently been awarded medals at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2025. From those award-winning tipples, social media wine expert and IWSC judge Andy Pincott, aka the Affordable Wine Hunter, picked the six best that you can buy for under £10. So, I took his advice and popped down to my local Aldi to grab a bottle of each. My wife and I, who have very different palates when it comes to wine, then spent an afternoon relaxing at home with a charcuterie board and these six wines, testing to see whether they lived up to the high praise. The experts described Aldi's Sous Les Mers as "an easy-drinking French white that offers freshness and balance", and I agree. (Image: Patrick Glover) Andy described the Sous Les Mers as an "easy-drinking French white that offers freshness and balance". My wife and I couldn't have agreed more, both taken back by the softness of the flavour, and how "drinkable" it was. This was my wife's favourite of the six wines. No matter where you are drinking this wine, you can just imagine yourself sitting in a beer garden somewhere in the summer sun. On top of all that, it is "amazing value" at £6.99. The Costières de Nimes Blanc is your traditional, dry white wine. (Image: Patrick Glover) This southern French white wine was extremely flavourful. Think your traditional, dry white wine with citrus flavours (although I swear I could taste apple). Ideal if you are looking for a wine to have with an evening meal. Both my wife and I agreed that the Costières de Nîmes Blanc was about middle of the range in comparison to the five others. Aldi's Rosorange is one wine to avoid. (Image: Patrick Glover) Next, we ventured on to Aldi's Rosorange, which has proven itself as somewhat of a viral trend in recent years. Both my wife and I honestly didn't see the appeal. It ranked an extremely distant last when compared to Aldi's other award-winning wines. It was tangy, you couldn't really taste the orange, and it left a weird, overpowering aftertaste in your mouth. I'm sorry to say, as I hate wasting even a single drop of alcohol, the Rosé went straight down the sink after we'd finished the taste test. While the taste is bad enough, the Rosorange Rosé was the most expensive of the six wines as well at £9.99. Definitely one to steer clear of. The Austrian Zweigelt was my favourite wine of the six we tried. (Image: Patrick Glover) With the white wines out of the way, we cleansed our palates with some water and more cheese and made our way onto the red wines - my favourite. Having spent the first 26 years of my life in Australia, living off delicious reds from the likes of Penfolds, Yalumba and d'Arenberg, I am very much a full-bodied red wine drinker. So I was surprised when I discovered the medium-bodied Austrian Zweigelt to be my favourite Aldi wine. Giving off aromas of berries and forest fruits, it has a wonderful spicy taste accompanied by a smooth finish. While my wife didn't like it as much, I thought it was a fantastic wine and is definitely worth adding to your shopping list next time you visit Aldi. This red wine is a mixture of Malbec and Grenache. (Image: Patrick Glover) The Specially Selected Caladoc Rouge received mixed reviews from my wife and I. It was one of my least favourite of the Aldi wines, while it was my wife's favourite out of the reds. This red is a mixture of Malbec and Grenache and, for me, was just a bit of flavour overload. There was just too much going on. It gave off a fruity aroma, said to be of "stewed plums and brambles", while the taste is described on the bottle as a combination of "earth, pepper and blackcurrants". Aldi's Cabernet Franc is a classic full-bodied red wine with smoky/peppery flavours. (Image: Patrick Glover) The final wine on our tasting journey was the Argentinian Cabernet Franc. This is a classic full-bodied red with a smoky, peppery kind of taste, not too dissimilar to that of a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. An ideal pairing for a dinner-time meal like beef stew. Worth a try for those traditional red wine drinkers out there, although is one of the more pricer options on the list at £8.99. RECOMMENDED READING: I tested Aldi's new 'wine of the summer' and almost lost all my street cred The own-brand supermarket wines that beat bottles costing hundreds Is wine good for you and what are the healthiest options - dietician has their say After a few hours of wine tasting, my wife and I concluded that despite both having our favourites, which were both extremely different, it doesn't matter what we think. Everyone has their own tastes. So what I like will be different from what my wife likes, which will be different again from what you, the reader, likes. So, take in our little taste testing notes, hopefully they are a helpful guide, but go out and buy the wine that you like. It might be from Aldi, it could be from M&S, or Asda. But wherever it's from, just follow your taste buds.
North Wales Chronicle
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- North Wales Chronicle
I taste tested Aldi's award-winning wines with mixed reviews
Whether it's a nice Shiraz with a steak dinner, a sparkling Rosé in a beer garden on a warm summer's day, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, there is something to suit everyone's taste buds. But with so many fantastic options to choose from, it can be hard to find the perfect bottle that is just right for you. If you are looking for a great value wine, as well as something that tastes fantastic, I find the best place to start (as with most things) is Aldi. To help convince you further about Aldi's selection, 46 of their wines have recently been awarded medals at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2025. From those award-winning tipples, social media wine expert and IWSC judge Andy Pincott, aka the Affordable Wine Hunter, picked the six best that you can buy for under £10. So, I took his advice and popped down to my local Aldi to grab a bottle of each. My wife and I, who have very different palates when it comes to wine, then spent an afternoon relaxing at home with a charcuterie board and these six wines, testing to see whether they lived up to the high praise. The experts described Aldi's Sous Les Mers as "an easy-drinking French white that offers freshness and balance", and I agree. (Image: Patrick Glover) Andy described the Sous Les Mers as an "easy-drinking French white that offers freshness and balance". My wife and I couldn't have agreed more, both taken back by the softness of the flavour, and how "drinkable" it was. This was my wife's favourite of the six wines. No matter where you are drinking this wine, you can just imagine yourself sitting in a beer garden somewhere in the summer sun. On top of all that, it is "amazing value" at £6.99. The Costières de Nimes Blanc is your traditional, dry white wine. (Image: Patrick Glover) This southern French white wine was extremely flavourful. Think your traditional, dry white wine with citrus flavours (although I swear I could taste apple). Ideal if you are looking for a wine to have with an evening meal. Both my wife and I agreed that the Costières de Nîmes Blanc was about middle of the range in comparison to the five others. Aldi's Rosorange is one wine to avoid. (Image: Patrick Glover) Next, we ventured on to Aldi's Rosorange, which has proven itself as somewhat of a viral trend in recent years. Both my wife and I honestly didn't see the appeal. It ranked an extremely distant last when compared to Aldi's other award-winning wines. It was tangy, you couldn't really taste the orange, and it left a weird, overpowering aftertaste in your mouth. I'm sorry to say, as I hate wasting even a single drop of alcohol, the Rosé went straight down the sink after we'd finished the taste test. While the taste is bad enough, the Rosorange Rosé was the most expensive of the six wines as well at £9.99. Definitely one to steer clear of. The Austrian Zweigelt was my favourite wine of the six we tried. (Image: Patrick Glover) With the white wines out of the way, we cleansed our palates with some water and more cheese and made our way onto the red wines - my favourite. Having spent the first 26 years of my life in Australia, living off delicious reds from the likes of Penfolds, Yalumba and d'Arenberg, I am very much a full-bodied red wine drinker. So I was surprised when I discovered the medium-bodied Austrian Zweigelt to be my favourite Aldi wine. Giving off aromas of berries and forest fruits, it has a wonderful spicy taste accompanied by a smooth finish. While my wife didn't like it as much, I thought it was a fantastic wine and is definitely worth adding to your shopping list next time you visit Aldi. This red wine is a mixture of Malbec and Grenache. (Image: Patrick Glover) The Specially Selected Caladoc Rouge received mixed reviews from my wife and I. It was one of my least favourite of the Aldi wines, while it was my wife's favourite out of the reds. This red is a mixture of Malbec and Grenache and, for me, was just a bit of flavour overload. There was just too much going on. It gave off a fruity aroma, said to be of "stewed plums and brambles", while the taste is described on the bottle as a combination of "earth, pepper and blackcurrants". Aldi's Cabernet Franc is a classic full-bodied red wine with smoky/peppery flavours. (Image: Patrick Glover) The final wine on our tasting journey was the Argentinian Cabernet Franc. This is a classic full-bodied red with a smoky, peppery kind of taste, not too dissimilar to that of a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. An ideal pairing for a dinner-time meal like beef stew. Worth a try for those traditional red wine drinkers out there, although is one of the more pricer options on the list at £8.99. RECOMMENDED READING: I tested Aldi's new 'wine of the summer' and almost lost all my street cred The own-brand supermarket wines that beat bottles costing hundreds Is wine good for you and what are the healthiest options - dietician has their say After a few hours of wine tasting, my wife and I concluded that despite both having our favourites, which were both extremely different, it doesn't matter what we think. Everyone has their own tastes. So what I like will be different from what my wife likes, which will be different again from what you, the reader, likes. So, take in our little taste testing notes, hopefully they are a helpful guide, but go out and buy the wine that you like. It might be from Aldi, it could be from M&S, or Asda. But wherever it's from, just follow your taste buds.
