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| Ms.Pascale Fleury of French Economic Mission and Mr.Michael Carter- Australian Trade Commissioner comparing the wine Worlds with Subhash Arora at la Marché |
The event first debuted in 2004 in 13 countries and 17 cities. India had its first taste in Delhi 2005 when 31 cities took part.
The aperitif is a well-known ritual of French-style "art de vivre", a special time for discussion and festivity. It provides a simple, informal way to enjoy a broad variety of foods, enabling them to highlight a wide range of French products and provides a wonderful opportunity for food lovers the world over to re-discover the variety and simplicity of French food and beverage products.
There were many stalls around the hall in true French market style where the participants displayed their wares, mainly wines, food, cheeses and other dairy products.
UB Group participated with their Bouvet Ladubay range of wines. Bouchard Aine & Fils, their latest burgundy offfering from Boisset was supposed to be showcsed but the writer did not find it on their stand VeeP Abhay Kewadkar had come specially from Bangalore to collect the lucky draw prize of 2 non-transferable and conditional air tickets to Paris if he does the 10-day Cordon Blu course in Paris (it is not clear whether he has to pay for the hotel or that is a part of the deal)
Maison Pierre, the Pierre Cardin of wines( smart, fashionable but not expensive) was saluting the wine lovers with its Languedoc flag wearing both the red and white colours, courtesy Sula Select, the new serious threat to the top 5 importers of India.
Sonarys also made a petit presence with their Petit Chabils and one indistinct red. So did Munjral Bros with their Castel and Malesan and un-noticeable Somaine Virginie. Pernaud Ricard had a repeat performance with their cocktail mix.
There was plenty for the abstainers too. Suresh Kumar were present, not with their Olive oil and the other 1001 products but with the Keror sparkling boozeless wine (actually juices because the alcohol-less wine is another species !).
True blue mama Odile Patour was her bubbly, laughing self, dishing out blue cheese to people who were trying to pair it with Chinon from Ladubay, Castel or whatever they had in their glasses. Ditto for their chocolates. Partner Sanjay Tandon was watching the proceedings with amused looks.
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| Isabelle the Danseuse chatting with Arora |
Chenab Impex made an entry with mushrooms and more - the first time I learnt that a porcini (wild mushroom in italy) is known also as porcini inFrance. I suppose Madame Carla Bruni is asserting her Italian personality already ! ). An apology of something between Risotto and Khichri was being doled out in spoonfuls, in the garb of true Italian risotto. Looks like after discovering the French Paradox, the Frenchies have started cutting down on the salt intake to reduce their heart problems still further. Santé !
There was a fair amount of French music interspersed with the beautiful Italo- French danseuse Isabelle who had been told to Infuse some French style in her natural Kathak form she is devoting her life to. She looked as much of a pretty Indian maiden from Kashmir as ever. ( I knew her 5-6 years ago when we studied Italian together)
And oh ! There was a speech by at least Mr. Karim Mekachera, Director of Maison de la France who were the co-hosts with Sopexa and had invited me for the evening.
It was Shangri-la in a festive mood. The mood was French à l'Indienne. It was the French market (Le Marché), truly an evening in a far western suburb of perhaps Paris.
An enjoyable affair one hopes will continue to be repeated every first Thursday in June, the universal date like Beaujolais Nouveau which is on the third Thirdsday of every November. Holi Thursday !!!
Subhash Arora |