 Since Rajeev Samant, the CEO and co-owner of Sula Wines, was in Paris attending the OIV October Conference as a part of the delegation from the Indian Grape Processing Board, I was told. The charming Cecilia Oldne - Head of International Business and Chief Sommelier of Sula played the perfect hostess to a select group of invitees that included Francesco Muzi - Administrative & Financial Attaché of the Italian Consulate General Office in Mumbai, Roberta Rabutti, Italian Consulate Mumbai, Ace fashion designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Bruno Rodella, Helene Hjelmvik, Netan Tuli of ITC, Dhawan Reshamwala of the Marriott and my wife Mitali who is generally too busy to go out for such events. Tommaso Alessandri was of course, the Chief Guest of the evening.
The evening started with a Ruffino Prosecco 2010 with brioche, that was quite a refreshing and welcome bubbly. Each dish from the fabulous five course meal was paired by Cecilia with different wines from Ruffino. The smoked salmon tartar on new baby potatoes and the asparagus risotto was paired with Ruffino Orvieto D.O.C. 2009- it was delicious on its own but a tad weak match for the salmon.
 A home styled chicken in tangy garlic and tomato sauce and the ricotta manicotti enhanced the flavours in the classic Ruffino Chianti D.O.C.G 2010. The main courses – Braised lamb in Riserva Ducale wines and the mushroom gateaux were both a perfect marriage with the Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2006.
The intense and fruity flavours of Ruffino dessert wine Vin Santo made the baked peach and almond crumble an ultimate dessert to end the dinner with. Chef Rajeev Basak left no option to complain with his flawless presentation and flavours. Guests also had an exclusive tasting of certain varietals of wines from Ruffino currently unavailable in the Indian market.
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| Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Tommaso Alessandri, Mitali Kakkar and Cecilia Oldne |
Bungalow 9 made for the ideal ambience with its quaint charm making it a perfect Italian evening, with Music of Vivaldi adding to the charm and ambience. Narendra Kumar was so impressed that he suggested to Tommaso, ‘I want to make Ruffino t-shirts, I love the name, the way it is written and the way it sounds!
The 130-year old Ruffino is all about Family, not just a team, said Tommaso. As a poet has said, Orvieto is ‘the Sun of Italy in a bottle’. Well said, Mr. Alessandri. The sun with its rays of Sula was indeed shining bright during this unforgettable evening too!
Riserva Ducale has a great story behind it, I was told by Tommaso. But I really felt like a duke when drinking this wine. If I were to sum up the whole experience, I would simply say, ‘Bellissimo.’
Prahlad Kakkar
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