Wine, The Capital Way
Captain’s Cellar, the most ambitious wine bar in India, located within the freshly restored Taj Mahal, New Delhi, ushers in a new era for wine connoisseurs.
By Suman Tarafdar
Oenophiles can rejoice. Arguably the largest wine bar in India has opened in Delhi. With over 160+ wines, 44 of them by the glass, Captain’s Cellar is a wine lover’s haven.
The bar has opened at Delhi’s flagship hotel of the IHCL group, Taj Mahal, New Delhi at Mansingh Road, which was recently restored and refurbished. Here, from red to white and rosé, fruity, acidic, non-acidic, new world, old world, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and, of course, Champagne, there’s a dizzy array of bottles and their intricate labels.
“If you look at the market, there isn’t a wine bar,” points out Arun Sundararaj, Director of Culinary Operations, Taj Mahal, New Delhi. “We see a growing affinity for it.” He underscores the fact that unlike the rather daunting image wine bars have in the country, Captain’s Cellar offers a relaxed ambience in which you can enjoy wine. “It’s a journey. When you get into the theory of the subject, it is never-ending. You can play with it, you can combine it with something, understand, have conversations around it. You will build a memory just by being here.”
A contemporary wine lounge inspired by traditional wine cellars, Captain’s Cellar seems to be an open invitation for anyone looking for a relaxing time. The name—Captain’s Cellar—is a nod to an earlier bar (Captain’s Cabin) that existed in the hotel, where Rick’s is today. Incidentally, Captain’s Cellar has also replaced a former restaurant in terms of its location, opening up where Wasabi was.
Captain’s Cellar is spacious and amply loungey in feel, with sink-in sofas in soft to brilliant pastels interspersed with striking cushions, chaise lounges, curvy chairs, and wooden tables with a rustic touch. The interiors have a clean crisp look, with both the floor and ceiling getting new finishes.
There are a couple of PDRs—for old-world wines and the new-world wines. Between the two is a cigar lounge offering 200 varieties of cigars. At the core is a beautiful bar, shimmering in emerald hues.
The layout and décor have lots of touches of nostalgia for times gone by—a globe, a telescope, murals, diverse art in a range of mediums, soft lighting—just perfect for a hangout. The design boasts of engineered timber flooring, vaulted brick ceilings and cast-iron details, thoughtfully paired with a variety of furniture, eclectic art, a patio and some informal seating.
With over 160+ wines, 44 of them by the glass, Captain’s Cellar is a wine lover’s haven.
Incidentally, different parts of the bar are named after some of the top wine-growing regions of the world—Napa, Moselle, Rhone, and even Akluj. The seating ambience, especially the art in each area, is reminiscent of the region they are named after.
For those wishing for other forms of alcohol, there’s a glimmer of hope. While the idea is to promote wine here, says the culinary director, there is a limited selection of other fine spirits available. “I do have a whisky, but I don’t have 25 whiskies.” Patrons would, of course, remember that the just renovated Rick’s is located a level above.
The star is the Enomatic Wine Dispenser, which allows you to pour wine by the glass while keeping it fresh by replacing oxygen with argon, which prevents the wine from getting oxidised. You can, of course, pour in different measures, 15, 50 and 150 ml. To note—15 ml is free, however many you sample.
Sundaraj compares the experience to an ice cream parlour, where sampling is free and can be extensive. As he says, “The beauty is that you don’t have to stick to one drink, you can keep exploring.” Tapas-style plates, immaculately presented, accompany the wines. “It’s just finger food, and it’s fun. You can finish your whole evening eating snacks with your drinks.”
The contemporary wine lounge is inspired by traditional wine cellars.
Of course, the venue is also open for parties or corporate events.
The hotel plans to go all out to promote it as a space where wines stay firmly centre-stage. “It’s a casual space. We have tried to make wine affordable. The pricing is such that it is viable for us and the guest.” With per glass starting from just ₹600 and going up to ₹2500, the prices seem to be designed to lure wine lovers and those seeking to explore wines. If you happen to be in the city and want to explore a range of wines, this is the best opportunity to date.
