| Photos By:: Adil Arora
 The Chilean Wine and Food Festival, organised by the Embassy of Chile at The Lalit Hotel on 24th October 2013 saw the presence of around 200 guests at the Grand ball room. As during the past couple of years, Lalit Hotel which has now mastered the art of using salads and canapés as the center of attraction had done its job very well. Again, as in the previous years, a group of invitees from the Delhi Wine Club had congregated to taste the Chilean Salmon and scallops that have made inroads into the kitchens of many hotels and homes. The food Menu also promised a treat of Smoked Salmon, Pork Tenderloin, Pork Chops, Pork Ribs, Scallops and Red Globe Grapes.
The main attraction for the members was the Chilean wines over 30 of which were available for tasting at the Fest. Although fewer participants appeared to have participated, Agnetta International, Aspri Spirits, Brindco, Hema Connoisseurs and High Spirits kept the visitors busy with Brindco being the center of attraction with a number of brands including the newly acquired Montes. Conspicuous by its absence was Prestige which imports Torres wines from Chile also.
 In the absence of the Chilean Ambassador, H.E. Cristian Barros who was travelling overseas, the event was inaugurated by Nestor Riveros, Trade Commissioner, and Embassy of Chile in India. Riveros made a reference of his four and half years of journey of promoting Chilean wines in India as he informed the guests that this would be his last appearance at the Fest as his second assignment in India concluded on June 30 next year.
When asked to say a few words on behalf of the Delhi Wine Club which has collaborated with ProChile since the beginning, Arora said that the Chilean wines made a significant progress from the time Nestor left India after his first assignment almost a decade ago. Chilean wine exports were then at about $800 million and shooting for the one billion mark with a wine from Montes crossing the $50 barrier. ‘Today, as he is ready to go back next June, the exports have reached $1.8 billion and another wine from Montes, Taita has crossed the $300 barrier. Every importer seeks to have at least one Chilean wine in his portfolio with Brindco leading the pack with a multi-brand portfolio that now also includes Montes,’ he said.
Among the prestigious guests were Ambassadors and Diplomats from Embassies of Latin America as well as wine making countries, Media from News Agencies and TV Channels, Owners of  HORECA, F&B Managers, Executive Chefs and importers of wine and food including frozen foods.
The tasting was followed by a sumptuous dinner which included exotic Chilean food items and long lines, as has become a tradition because of a single live station for the specialty dishes - Pork Tenderloin minute steak with sweet bonito mash, Poached Chilean salmon with pineapple salsa, soya dip & tropical fruit relish, Mini Salmon steak with risotto and Grilled Chicken Piccata with spinach & bacon dips.
Chile is one of the few countries that have made such promotions a regular feature in India. An event like this is quite helpful in promoting Brand Chile and the improving quality of Chilean wines and the treasure of fresh sea-foods, fruits and several food items and one hopes the footprints being left by Riveros would not fade away as they had a few years ago when the event was re-introduced.
The event will be repeated in Mumbai on November 18.
Subhash Arora
Tags: Chilean Wine and Food Festival, ProChile, Nestor Riveros, Chile, Chilean wines
Wine Producers’ List
Gallery |