Hyper Local First-Timer's Guide To Nashik And Aurangabad

Merlot summers at Sula, bewitching kaala masala mutton, and unforgettable explorations at Ajanta and Ellora, the twin cities are a gateway to Maharashtra's underrated delights

- Samarpan Bhowmik

Maharashtra's western coast is rightfully a much-celebrated travel destination, drawing visitors from not just within the state but across the country. But perhaps with the exception of some intrepid hyperlocal seekers, the sheer diversity of Maharashtra's sights, ranging from smaller cities like Nashik to geological marvels like the Lonar Lake remain underexplored.

As the Indian subcontinent slid into summer from spring, with temperatures still bearable during the day, I got a chance to explore a tiny bit of the state's heartland, starting from the wine capital of India, Nashik, to the erstwhile Delhi Sultanate and Mughal capital of Aurangabad.

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Nashik, with its volcanic soil, elevation from sea level, and climate suited to growing the kind of grapes required for winemaking, is the undoubted 'wine capital of the country. And no trip to the city is complete without a tour of its many vineyards. A number of popular brands produce their wines here, including Sula Vineyards, York Winery, and Chandon India, among others.

I had a chance to do a quick tour of one of the more popular ones, Sula, and even got a lesson in tasting from the resident expert.

There were a total of six wines on offer, ranging from dry reds to crisp whites and even a dessert rosé. With instructions to hold the glass only by the stem and swirl the wine well before sniffing and taking a sip, I had my task cut out. All the wine-tasting, of course, is hungry work and the restaurant on the first floor is perfect for grabbing a spot of grub with plenty of breath-taking views of the vineyards around.

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