A bubbly affair

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An entrepreneur by birth and fashionista by choice, Aishwarya Nair, the corporate food and wine consultant at the Leela Group of Hotels, is currently the toast of the town for her recent accolade. Honoured as the Diplome d Honneur by the Corporation des Vignerons de Champagne and the Comite Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), for promoting wine culture in India, this bubbly connoisseur loves being high on life.

About the award, she says, “It is truly an honour to be the first woman in India to receive this prestigious award. I am beyond ecstatic that my dedication to education and promotion of fine wine has been recognised.”
Her long-time affair with food and wine started in New York where she studied the fine art of hospitality. After her Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Aishwarya joined the Leela Group in India. Apart from holding wine-tasting sessions, she also writes about the current trends in food and wine industry. About her plans, she says, “I want to bring more awareness about moderate, controlled drinking in appreciation of wine, not its abuse. Alcoholism in India today is a very serious disease, and I would like to create awareness on this subject.”
As part of her work Aishwarya travels, enjoys various cuisines and collects rare wines. “As besotted as I am with wine, cuisine will always be my other love. I have a collection of a few rare vintage wines. Mostly burgundy, Bordeaux and champagne, including the usual suspects like Echezeaux DRC 99, Latour 2000, Margaux 82, Krug Grand Cuvee 95 and Perrier Jouet 02 among a few others.” However, this foodie is quite conscious about her health and sartorial choices. “I am a health-conscious person and prefer a healthy lifestyle that matches my chipper attitude. I work out regularly, and maintain a high-protein, low-carb diet. My personal style is very glam and I like clean lines and the androgynous, effortless lean look. My favourite brands in fashion are Balmain, Valentino, Balenciaga, Givenchy. And, within India, undoubtedly Shivan and Narresh,” she concludes.