By Subhash Arora

A unique, dry, white Italian wine made from Piedmontese grape called Arneis, Mumplin is the name of the label and Casetta is the producer from Vezza d'Alba in Cuneo. The wine has a delicate straw yellow colour with greenish reflections. It has fine, complex perfumed aromas with a pleasant, not-too-dry after-taste. With its light-medium body and 12.5% alcohol, the refreshing, crisp wine will make you exclaim " dil maange more " after every sip.

Mumplin is a delectable aperitif wine just right for sipping on warm summer evenings. Priced at Rs 2,000-2,500, it is not exactly cheap. But it matches well with pasta dishes and pizzas, grilled or tandoori chicken and fish, and even Chinese preparations. Try it with chicken kathi rolls, vegetable jalfrezi or rajmah-chaawal. Serve at 8-10 degrees C.

Unfortunately for us, it is not available in the vends (it's too delicate to handle, anyway). But you will find it on the lists in several hotels and restaurants, including the Hyatt, Maurya and Olive. It's also a fine banquet wine if you have the class and clout to negotiate a great deal.

Putting my money where my heart lies, I have selected it as the white wine of the evening for the Wine and World Cup initiative of the Indian Wine Academy and Delhi Wine Club at the Hyatt Regency nightclub, Djinns, on July 1 and July 9. I hope Italy will continue to surprise supporters and make it to the final.