Wondering what to carry to your friend’s dinner party this weekend? Take a bottle of wine. Whether you want to thank your host or just say ‘congratulations’,  gifting wine is always a good idea. And luckily, you no longer need to spend a fortune for good wine. A lot of homegrown brands have collections that are easy on the pocket and taste fabulous. These 7 varieties are among the best Indian wines, and any one of these will make a great gift for your host.

1. J’NOON RED

J’NOON is India’s first luxury wine brand that is available to a global audience. It comes in a limited edition range of only 2,400 bottles of red, white, and sparkling wine. J’NOON Red is an excellent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon co-fermented with Petit Verdot and the Marcelan variety of grapes. It has a refreshing, deep purple colour and a full-bodied taste that will go well with rich Indian gravies.

2. FRATELLI CHARDONNAY

This wine has a hint of oak giving it a mild husky flavour along with fruity notes of green apple and melon. It tastes mildly acidic and pairs well with kebabs and grilled chicken. Drink chilled.

3. CHANDON ROSE

Chandon Rose is a blend of the Shiraz variety of grapes that are acquired exclusively from a vineyard in Nashik. It has a beautiful pink colour with intense aromas and flavours of strawberries, cherries, watermelon, and crushed rose petals. Its creamy palate goes well with a tomato-based gravy.

4. GROVER ZAMPA SOIREE BRUT

Homegrown brand Grover Zampa’s Soiree Brut is among its best selling and most awarded wines. The sparkling wine has fresh notes of lemon with hints of toasted bread. If that doesn’t tingle your taste buds, we don’t know what will! It can be paired with spicy Indian and Thai cuisine.

5. SULA RASA SHIRAZ

This red wine is a collector’s treasure and makes a great gift. Since it’s aged in oak barrels, the longer it’s stored, the better it tastes. Its complex, peppery flavours are best enjoyed with luxurious foods like gouda cheese and dark chocolate.

6. MYRA RESERVE SHIRAZ

The Myra Reserve Shiraz is another popular wine that comes from the vineyards in Nashik. It has an elegant reddish-purple colour and soft notes of vanilla that come from ageing in fine oak barrels. Its delicate, medium-bodied palate pairs well with seafood.

7. KRSMA SANGIOVESE

Krsma Estates, with its winery in Hampi, Karnataka, offers some of the best Indian wines. Their Sangiovese variety particularly stands out for its rich, fruity texture and earthy notes of warm spices, nuts, and chocolate. It pairs well with light pasta dishes.