Gone with the Wine & Chingri Macher MalaiKari! Yes, you read it right. This is what I muttered while tasting the Rosé at the Wine Masterclass at Taj Bengal. International Wine and dine experience Volume V as they call the event.
It was a lovely afternoon and I was there at the Taj Bengal, Kolkata (with my ever-curious mind) and almost no-knowledge about wine (though with little bit experience of having different types of wine over the years). I was sipping and thinking about my Wine experiences so far while attending the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V.
It started long back with the first glass of Port Wine. Oh, and how can I forgot the experience of stealing the wine from my uncle's collection. How can I forgot about purchasing the cheapest option possible for the first time 🙂 . Then there are my wine myths, I still am juggling with!
Me & My horrible Wine Myths!
This and That!
- The whiter things go with the white wine which means pair your white with the cheese and carbohydrate.
- Pair your red with the meat and
- Pair your sparkling with fish
- Indian Wines are mediocre
Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V:
Taj group is organizing the Wine Masterclass; Wine and dine experience across different Taj properties over the years. The event for the first time started in Kolkata and now is a success all through the country.
The Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V was divided into a few interesting sessions:
- New World Vs Old World Wine
- Indigenous Grape Varieties
- Pink is the new black
- The grapes from the Right and Left bank of Bordeaux
The first session was the New World Vs Old World Wine. this was conducted by Count John Salvi MW along with Keith W. Edgar. Both, needless to say, famous Wine Connoisseur and learned. The session was enriching. While enjoying two varieties of Sauvignon Blanc we went through the intricate details of New and Old World Wine. New Zealand's Durvellia Sauvignon Blanc was the New World and France's Pouilly-Fumé was the Old World.
Pouilly-Fumé for me at the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V!
- It was a glass of Golden yellowish and smoky White!
- It was crisp.
- Apricot-like aroma! A bit citrusy actually (This actually what I write down while tasting the wine). I don't know whether am I right or I am right!
This is what I found while checking the details upon returning home! The vineyards that produce Pouilly-Fumé started back in the 5th century. The name has a distinct connection with the Roman Empire. It came from Latin Pauliacum super fluvium ligerim (Source: Wikipedia).
Durvellia Sauvignon Blanc for me at the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V!
- Again a Crisp wine!
- Lemony!
You can check a very interesting Pin I have saved on New World Vs Old World Wine here!
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/514395588682946801/
The Next session was on the Indigenous Grape Varieties by Vishal Kadakia from The Wine park Mumbai. With full of facts and statistics, it was an interesting session along with three varieties of white again which were:
- Vermentino from Coastal Tuscany
- Garganega from Northern Italy and
- Torrontes from Argentina
Vermentino for me at the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V:
- Light!
- Not much on the sweeter side!
Garganega for me at the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V:
- It was full of flavor and crisp (I liked it more amongst the three varieties)
Torrontes for me at the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V:
- It was sweet and that says it all!
- For me, it was fruity and flowery!
Again, how about some interesting Notes on the Grape varieties!
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/514395588682946882/
The third session; Pink is the new black, was led by Karishma Grover from the Grover Zampa. A fun and interactive session with the glass of Grover Zampa Rosé and a glass of Sparkling Rosé Personally speaking, I enjoyed the sparkling more (probably after having several glasses of White; I was bound to). The Zampa Rosé, however, a great choice I found to match with the seafood. Ermmmm, I actually was discussing there, to pair it Chingri Macher Malaikari with upon returning home! Gosh!
The grapes from the Right and Left bank of Bordeaux was the last session and was led by Count John Salvi MW. Hey, finally there was the Indian's favorite Red Wine! We were served with:
- Chateau Phelan Segur and
- Ets Theuvin (the Bad Boy)
After so many glasses of Wine, I was not in a position to distinguish much and hence just had those.
Chateau Phelan Segur for me:
- It was for me the classic Red!
- Medium bodied!
- Fruity, plum-like!
- All in all, it was fresh to the palate!
Ets Theuvin; the Bad boy was actually good for this woman:
- Again a fruity Red; no Coffee-like (it that so!)
- Full-bodied
Here's my little bit from the Pinterest gallery on the grapes from the Right and Left bank of Bordeaux:
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/514395588682976976/
Interesting Facts and figures I gathered from the Wine Masterclass; Taj International Wine and dine experience Volume V:
- The difference between the New and Old-world Wine is more region specific!
- The processes involved, needless to say, are different in both the cases of New and Old-world Wine
- Bordeaux France, Spain, and Italy are main producers of the popular Grape varieties which are Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain, Merlot from Bordeaux France, Arien from Spain, Tempranillo from Spain, Chardonnay from France, Syrah from France, Garnacha from Spain, Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux France, Trebbiano from Italy, and Pinot Noir from Bordeaux France.
- From the 40% of the Wines drunk in the World, 6 are from France, 3 are from Spain and 1 is from Italy.
- Italy itself is having 375+ varieties of grapes while Portugal is having more than 250.
- 10 varieties of the grapes cover ⅓ of the vineyards while there are 1000s of varieties of grapes.
- Indians love their portion of Red than White (well I love my white more) and this has something to do with the myth of Red is good for health! this is a complete contradiction to our climatic condition.
- Rosé goes amazing with the seafood!
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are the left bank grapes.
- The right bank is characterized by the cooler soil.
- The Right bank ones are more exotic, softer and more approachable.
- The left bank is all about classical and traditional wine and more popular.
What more to Say! "I am a Woman. I have needs. Pass me the Wine!" Else I will make my own Mulled Wine. 🙂 🙂
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