What wine would you choose with chicken tikka masala, ostensibly the most popular dish in the UK? According to a panel of judges headed by Peter Richards MW and his wife Susie Barrie MW and including the ‘Best Sommelier of the World’ Sir Gerard Basset MS, MW, MBA, Sara Jane Evans MW, Fiona Beckett and Angela Mount, conducting a blind tasting with wines from 16 countries, Ritu Blush 2010 Four Seasons (the export label of UB group-owned Four Seasons) makes a ‘Sound Match’ with 3-stars that is the equivalent of a Bronze Medal in the Olympics.
This is the only entry from India which wins a medal in the competition called ‘What Food What Wine Awards’ that is organised by IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition) as one of its several competitions. The organizers claim this to be the only competition of its type in Europe; Australia is already known for such competitions. Even Hong Kong based HKIWSC has had a section on food and wine match medals for the last 3 years. Interestingly, a new section called ‘chicken tikka’ has been added for this year’s competition, keeping in view the increasing popularity of Indian cuisine in that part of Asia.
The competition in which wines from 16 countries participated was held on June 25-27 in London and the results were announced on July 25. In the Indian category there were 4 Indian dishes: chicken korma, chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh and king prawns-a Cinnamon Club (one of the co-sponsors of the competition) signature dish. Wines were tasted blind. 82 Medals were awarded Three Stars (Sound Match), 68 were given Four Stars (Very Good Match) while 63 wines won Five Stars (Excellent Match)-in the Olympic parlance they would be Bronze, Silver and Gold respectively.
But the standing ovation must go to a Hungarian winery, Nagyrédei Szőlők Borforgalmazó Kft which had a 5-star winner in all the 4 Indian categories.
‘It’s a matter of great achievement for us that our wine has won accolades and has been selected by such an eminent jury for food and wine matching, 'says Abhay Kewadkar, Business Head of Four Seasons Winery, the wine producing division of UB Spirits. Determined to take a lead in the international market, he has already decided to take part in the World Wine Symposium being held in Italy where he, along with Fratelli will be participating and pouring wines for the upper-echelon of wine community including several top-class journalists, producers, importers and wine connoisseurs. He adds with confidence, ‘I am certain this participation will go a long way in establishing the Ritu brand globally.’
Meanwhile, the producers (14) winning awards in this category are:
3-stars (Sound Match)
Soeliner Grüner Veltliner from Wagram (Austria)
Viña Vistamar Sepia Reserva Carmenere 2010 (Chile)
Viña Vistamar Sepia Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Chile)
Domaine Paul Mas Valmont Grenache Blanc 2011 (France)
Ch. Hourtin- Ducasse Vignoble Marongo 2008 (France)
Four Seasons Ritu Blush 2011 (India)
Toro Loco Rosé 2011 (Spain)
4-stars
Pink elephant Rosé 2011 (Spain)
Distell Nederburg Old Press Merlot (South Africa)
5-stars
Wise Sea Urchin Riesling (Australia)
Caliterra Carmenere Reserve 2010 (Chile)
Nagyrédei Szőlők Borforgalmazó Kft Spice Trail Rose 2011 (Hungary)
Artisan Pinot Gris 2009 (New Zealand)
Villa Maria Private Bin Gewurztraminer 2011 ( New Zealand)
The Lamb Rogan Josh had 16 awards; Chicken Korma had 10 winners whereas King Prawn Curry had 10 winners. For information on the awards in the other 3 Indian categories; there are a total of 16 categories, please visit their website http://whatfoodwhatwine.com/india
Subhash Arora |