Organised by the Goa Tourism  Development Corporation Ltd. (GTDC), the 4-day extravaganza in coastal Panjim aims to project Goa  as a lifestyle destination. "The idea is to encapsulate the vivacity of  Goan lifestyle by highlighting its multicultural influences and artistic  passions, thus branding Goa as a lifestyle  destination," said GTDC vice-chairman Lyngdon Monteiro while talking to  the media last Friday.    
        Chairman of the GTDC , Shyam  Satardekar said, 'as always, the festival promises to be a unique cultural  experience as it brings together international wine makers and local patrons,  hoteliers, restaurants and professionals from the entertainment, food and  beverage and life style industries under one  roof.'      
       Billed as the off-season  promotional events, the festival would present culinary delights from across  the globe, international fusion cuisine and exotic deserts apart from the wine  tasting sessions.      
       Several wineries including Four  Season Wine, Big Banyan, Diageo and Indage are reportedly taking part in the  fiesta. Last year  Sula, Indage, Nine  Hills, Chateau de Banyan etc. had  taken  part.       
       ' This festival is the biggest  wine platform provided in Goa where not only expats and tourists but Indians  rush to enjoy the cultural programmes, fashion shows, live music and to  taste wines from various participating producers, all without charge. Of  course, wines can be purchased at the spot too,'  informs Kawaljeet Singh,  Head-Sales and Marketing of Big Banyan, the Goa  based winery that  is a regular participant in the festival. It is a  big promotion for the Indian wineries by the tourism department, he says,  adding that about 4-5,000 people come to have a  good time.        
       The fiesta is organised at the  huge courtyard of Inox Theatre in Panjim.   |