With Chicken Tikka Masala being Britain’s favourite dish, India is offering a fresh challenge to the nation’s palate — WINE.

Wine has been produced in India for centuries but with help from French and Australian experts, India’s wine industry is now seeking, and gaining, International acceptance.

Just launched in the UK is La Reserve, a Cabernet Sauvignon crafted in the Bordeaux tradition. Such wines are born every day, but few can claim to be one of India's premium wines. Its producer, Bangalore's Grover Vineyards, hopes that the wine will follow in the footsteps of wines such as Château Musar and find a niche in Britain's cluttered fine wine market.

La Reserve has recently found favour with a number of wine critics who have likened it to a good crianza or reserva Rioja. It has also enjoyed favourable comparisons with Wynn's Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Robert Mondavi's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

According to the Daily Telegraph, India’s three main producers have all announced increases in exports to Britain, where exposure to Indian wine has been largely confined to the sparkling, Chardonnay-based Omar Khayyam, sold in some Indian restaurants in Britain.

One of India’s leading wine producers, Grover Vineyards, will produce 600,000 bottles, of which 150,000 will be exported to Britain, the US and even France, it said. Opened in 1992 by Kanwal K. Grover, they now have 200 acres under cultivation.

International development charity VSO is inviting everyone to celebrate the nation's favourite cuisine, Indian, and raise money for a good cause at the same time.

People across the country will be holding Curry Nights during Spice Up Your Life week from 15-21 March to raise desperately needed funds for VSO's work to combat HIV and AIDS throughout southern Africa. They will be helping to raise £200,000 which will go directly towards funding VSO volunteers in southern Africa who are working with local people and organisations in the areas worst hit by the pandemic to tackle the issues surrounding the spread of HIV and AIDS.

900,000 people in southern Africa died from AIDS in 2003, and VSO does vital work in combating stigma, supporting prevention and increasing the availability of treatment, care and support for those infected by and affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Lisa Russell, events fundraiser at VSO says: "Holding a curry night is a great way to catch up with old friends or relive travelling experiences, and it's easy too. Cook a meal or book a table at a local curry restaurant, invite your friends along and ask them for a £10 donation for VSO. Even if you've never been abroad you can get a taste for the exotic in your own home!"

Alternatively you can join one of VSO's sponsored parachute skydives at airfields across the country. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £340 to take part in the jumps, and there is no entry fee. For more information on the parachute jumps or curry nights visit VSO or call 020 8780 7301.

www.Curryhouse.net in association with Twice the Spice is proud to launch a national two for one promotional deal with Triton Showers, to reserve your place simply choose a restaurant near you and call the restaurant quoting the fact you would like to reserve a table through Twice the Spice and Triton Showes. Vouchers for this promotion will be valid until the 31st March 2005 and whilst stocks last.

www.Curryhouse.net in association with Twice the Spice is proud to launch a national two for one promotional deal with Boots, to reserve your place simply choose a restaurant near you and call the restaurant quoting the fact you would like to reserve a table through Twice the Spice and Boots. Vouchers for this promotion will be valid until the 30th June 2004.

Pimlico has never been known for its great eatery’s. This has changed – Salim Uddin and Abdur Rahim have launched Millbank Spice London's newest Indian Restaurant on Vauxhall Bridge Road, Pimlico, SW1 – an unpretentious and accessible venue with 80 covers. Talented Indian chefs have created a menu which captures the authenticity and quality of the culinary traditions of North, South, East and West of India. Millbank Spice also serves lighter dishes traditionally overlooked in Indian restaurants in the UK.

With a sensual selection of food, Millbank Spice is a magnetic destination that will tempt the most seasoned diner back again and again. Real value for money along with relaxing surroundings guarantees a delightful experience.

Start with the Murgh Suka then try a vegetarian delight or a tandoor specialty like Paneer Shashlik as an entrée. Order a Palak Bhajee and delicious Lemon Rice on the side and don’t forget some freshly baked bread. For a more exotic choice, try the Millbank Special Menu – a combination of Tandoori dishes that’s rightfully the best in the house.

The short and punchy wine list includes Moet & Chandon for under £30 – no West End prices here! A bottle of house white costs only £7.95 and you can find a wonderful tasting Chablis for £14.95. There is a great Campodorado Rioja at £9.95 or try a Ruby Cabernet from California for under £11. Millbank Spice also serves a large selection of Indian and World beers.

The restaurant is beautifully set with colourful furnishings and the interior was designed and built by Studio One. The interior décor is a mix of modern minimalism with the use of natural materials giving the restaurant a sleek and stylish finish. Pastel yellow, lime green and burgundy walls create a pleasant and relaxing environment – no flock wallpaper here!

The main restaurant has been designed to cater for individual dining or parties up to 30 covers. Salim Uddin, Director and Front of House has over 24 years of experience in managing restaurants and manages a team of 8 floor & bar staff and 8 kitchen staff.

Experience the delights of Millbank Spice at 34-38 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 2RY, opening times are 12 noon to 2.30pm for lunch, dinner is from 5.30pm to 11.00pm. <Millbank Spice is also available for private hire without charge for up to 80 covers for dinner and 120 for cocktail canapés.

If you like the idea of getting more curry for your money then check out this other great offer. www.Curryhouse.net are offering Daily Star Sunday readers the chance to get your hands on even more 2 for 1 Curry vouchers. These vouchers are valid at all of the restaurants participating in the Daily Star Sunday offer published on 13 April 2003, but are valid right through to the end of the year. You can get your hands on three more "Twice the Spice" vouchers for £4.99! To order just send a cheque made payable to "Twice the Spice" and enclose it along with a S.A.E in an envelope marked FREEPOST PARALLEL. Please write your name, address and Curryhouse.net on the back of your cheque. Cheques in Sterling only please. Please allow 28 days for dispatch of vouchers.

It couldn't be easier!

Red Rose City will open its doors on the 4th February 2003 and is expected by curryhouse.net to be a hit with both city folk and locals in the area.

The Red Rose City will specialise in serving Indian food from all regions in a very warm and delightful setting, available to everyone through its affordable prices. Each month the menu will feature traditional cuisines covering the different regions of India, giving visitors a reason to go back again and again to try new dishes.

As well as a vibrant and elegant setting, Red Rose City will have a separate private dining area downstairs which can hold up to 40 people for a sit down meal or 60 for a canapé party. Situated in the ground floor, this area is ideal for private functions and great to retire to for drinks after a beautiful meal.

Curryhouse.net was launched just over two years ago by three curry lovers who realised that the Nation’s favourite cuisine didn’t have an online guide which could offer Curryhouse info such as Addresses, Maps, Telephone numbers, nearest off-licences, a price and quality guide and new and interesting recipes supplied by a Celebrity chef.

Most importantly Curryhouse.net also allowed you to tell others about what you thought of your meal, each restaurant visited could be reviewed and rated acting as a guide for future diners.

We realised that everybody has a favourite Curryhouse, you know where it is, the one you’ll always return to, the one that does a great Korma or free poppadoms Curryhouse.net has a staggering number of restaurants reviewed on the site and this increases on an international scale everyday.

Curry has also kept apace with Wap technology! WAP has enabled Curryhouse.net to take off in popularity.

From the Sunday times to the Dallas Morning Herald, www.Curryhouse.net has carried the baton for getting the general public in the UK savvy about Indian and South Asian food.

As the number of reviews grows each day and we add more international Curryhouses to the site the aim is to become the most useful and definitive guide to Curryhouses world-wide.