 For a mere Rs.500 (Rs.50 extra for the Gymkhana membership for the day), the visitors received a glass and 12 coupons with some other goodies, allowing free tasting of wines from the participating wineries and entry to various other wine and food activities (food not included, obviously).
The Indian wines from Four Seasons, Nine Hills, Reveilo, Vallonné, Zampa and Good Earth Winery were present with their complete range of wines. The international flavour was visible through the presence of Moncaro from Italy, being imported by Riona Wines and Jacobs Creek of Pernod Ricard, from Australia.
Abhay Kewadkar, the UB Head of Wines for Four Seasons informs delWine, ‘we believe that more and more people need to be exposed to such tastings in an informal atmosphere to learn about our wines and we welcome such opportunities.’ Mr Hans Raj Ahuja, the marketing head honcho for Riona in India was equally upbeat about the response received by the wines from the two wineries from Marche regions of Italy. ‘Our different levels of Verdicchio have proved how Indians love the taste of this unique wine of Marche, the central region of Italy on the east coast. The reds are also gaining in popularity.’
Mumbai is fast approaching towards gaining the status of London where wine tastings are almost a daily feature somewhere or the other in the city. With another festival, purporting to be even larger and more global, at least in terms of wines and the presence of people, the Mumbai Wine Festival on November 12-14 at the Radio Club in Colaba, Mumbaikars never had it so good. At every such event they need to raise a toast to the pro-active excise department for allowing them the luxury and an opportunity to learn about a healthy life-style without burning a hole in the pocket. Such events not only provide a platform for learning but also help wine gain the respect as a food product that it deserves.
A special mention needs to be made of children under 12 being allowed free, if accompanied by adults. This initiative by the organisers is most commendable. In the company of adults who would hopefully not let the kids taste wine-nevertheless, the children will grow up to perceive wine simply as an extension of food and with the proper respect given to the beverage, it will hopefully keep them away from hard liquor, a menace from the eyes of the government and the Indian Constitution. Again, this would not be possible without the pro-active policy of the Mumbai excise department. DelWine salutes the department and the organisers for making it happen.
The event was organised by the Pune Gourmet Club in collaboration with Monsoon Winds under the aegis of Celebrate Bandra. Motivated by the success of the wine fests in Mumbai, Kolkata is also getting ready to organise one this year. Watch out for details in delWine and await the late arrival of such a Fest in Delhi- to be the last of the lot.
Subhash Arora |