Indian Wine News and Messages : wine and food

Wine and food pairing for Asian food – Wall Street Journal

anisha sharma — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:42:00 GMT

As more wine, mainly red wine from France, is being consumed by traditionally non-wine-drinking countries such as China, Japan, Singapore and India, we are gaining more knowledge and experience of what pairs well with non-European food.

Recently, I spoke with Nicolas Glumineau, technical director at Bordeaux's Château Montrose, who now visits Southeast Asia several times a year. Marvelling at the variety of recipes found in countries such as Thailand, he also explained that from his experience Asian consumers weren't as afraid of tannins as Europeans. Moreover he said that the tannins found in red Bordeaux match well with certain Asian dishes based around duck and veal. I was surprised, as I always found that spicy flavors matched with the bitter tannins of red wine can prove an unpalatable partnership. But I was falling into the trap of imagining the unknown from what I knew; most of my experience of Asian cuisine has come via Europe.

"In the Far East, people want to and expect to drink serious red wines with their food. In places such as Szechuan in China they like chilli and heat. The fact that a tannic red wine accentuates that character is a bonus rather than detraction."

"If you look at Indian food, you can eat in the north of India and the south of India, and you can almost feel that you are eating food from two different countries. It is not just about the dish being spicy, it is about how spicy it is and how it is cooked that also make it complicated."

It seems that, given the international flavor of today's wine-drinking landscape, we're learning all the time. If you would like to drink red wine with your Asian food, by all means give it a go. Just remember to ignore the quizzical look from your sommelier.

More: Wall Street Journal

Apéritif à la française at Delhi - Hospitality Biz India

anisha sharma — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 07:47:00 GMT

Sopexa India along with French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and food and beverage partners from France organised the seventh edition Apéritif à la française. This year’s theme was ‘Celebrating Connoisseurship’. Apart from Delhi, Apéritif à la française was held simultaneously in around 30 cities spread across 20 countries.

The event was attended by importers, distributors and hospitality professionals. French food and wine producers and importers like Dabon International, Aspri Spirits, Munjral Brothers, Le 15 Patisserie, Pernod Ricard India and CSM participated in the event.

More: Hospitality Biz India

International Food & Drink Expo India Successfully launches in New Delhi - Press release

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:07:00 GMT

From the 2-4 December 2009, a truly international line up of exhibitors met with India’s foremost food and drink professionals at the International Food & Drink Expo India at the Pragati Maidan. Over 3 hectic days, visitors were able to sample a wide variety of cuisines, beverages and innovative new products and services available to the Indian market.

Mr Ashok Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries officially opened the show before joining the high powered line up of speakers and delegates at the Business Forum where the hot topics facing India’s food drink and hospitality industry were discussed. Speakers from major players such as Reliance, Arshiya, and Association of Food Products Importers (FIFI), shared their experiences and opinions with a receptive and knowledgeable audience.

Large country pavilions from Italy, USA and Australia were joined by participations from France, Bulgaria, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Thailand and India, showcasing products ranging from high quality fruit and vegetables to fine wines and non-alcoholic beverages.

Demonstrating the US commitment to growing their food and drink exports to the Indian market, the American Ambassador took time from his busy schedule to make a dedicated visit to the event. Speaking with each company individually, the Ambassador was able to see and taste the mouth watering products on display, including those on the popular Southern United States Trade Association stand.

Reflecting the event’s focus on quality, influential trade professionals from India’s food services and food retailing sectors were very much in evidence. Major buyers and specifiers from top hotels, restaurants, institutions and retail outlets, took this opportunity to sample the many products being displayed in India for the first time. Exhibitors were able to market their products and get direct feedback from representatives from The Claridges, Trident, Oberoi, Ashok, Radisson, The Imperial, Air India, Reliance, Dominos, Café Coffee Day, Ikea, M&S, Carrefour along with host of other hotels, restaurants, retailers, institutional caterers and importers.

Summing up the overall sentiment of exhibitors, The SCS Group said “We made good contacts and it was a lovely experience”, while Beverage Holdings commented that “the exhibition for us has been a great success. Modular tanks gained “some really serious enquiries from local manufacturers and gained knowledge on the India Food and Beverage industry”. Chaski International commented on the “great attendance and lots of good business leads too”.

On 3rd December the first Indian Sommelier Championship took place, conducted by Mangandeep Singh, India’s only French certified sommelier. Five finalists were rigorously challenged on their wine knowledge and their competency in matching wines with fine dining. An impressive line up of judges from The Claridges, The Oberoi and The Aman Resorts oversaw the championship. The winner was Shubham of Aman Resorts. Magandeep Singh commented how the championship demonstrated how the “fast level of competence in this nascent field is rising”.

Live cooking demonstrations on the stand of the gold sponsor, Opera, proved very popular with attendees to the event as Italian celebrity chef Andrea Golino created exquisite pasta dishes and risottos.

Lauren Morrey, Project Manager, commented “The International Food & Drink Expo India has been warmly welcomed by the professional food and drink industry in India, who are keen to learn and have access to the products and services that Indian consumers are now looking for. The show is a testament to India’s tenacity and resilience as a nation and the opportunities that are clearly available in the marketplace.”

International Food and Drink Exp India 2009 was supported by international association partners including Sopexa, The Italian Trade Commission, The Australian Trade Commisssion, USDA/SUSTA, to mention just a few.

The 2nd International Food & Drink Expo India 2010 will take place from 2 -4 December 2010 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

For more information visit our website: http://www.indiafooddrinkexpo.com/

Allegrini wines now at JW Marriott Mumbai

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:02:00 GMT

As Italian food becomes the taste of Mumbaikars, so also Italian wines are becoming the toast of those seeking the perfect accompaniment to Italian food. Ambrosia discovers some jewels from the Veneto region.

Italian food is known for its slow cooking that bring out the true flavours of its ingredients. Mezzo Mezzo, the Italian restaurant at the JW Marriot, played host to Chef Ronaldo Beramendi as he paired special artisan gourmet food with Allegrini wines from 13th October – 19th October at JW Marriott Mumbai.

After traveling the US for the past ten years hosting food and wine seminars, Chef Ronaldo Beramendi will now showcase Allegrini wines paired with various Italian delicacies in JW Marriott Mumbai.

The land holdings of the Allegrini family include some 70 hectares, which are divided among the townships of Fumane, Sant’Ambrogio and San Pietro In Cariano, and are all situated in the hillside area of the Valpolicella Classica.

Allegrini has offered an essential contribution to the assertion in the Valpolicella of the idea of the “cru”: a vineyard dedicated to the production of grapes for a particular wine, because of its importance and peculiar characteristics.

His “crues”, first and foremost La Grola - rich in historical and literary citations - and Palazzo della Torre, are now ambassadors of the Valpolicella all over the world. In the case of La Poja, a “terroir” of excellence with a vocation for pure Corvina, the fascinating road of growing a single species of vine was set forth with great foresight.

The wines tasted included Allegrini Corte Giara Soave Pagus 2009, Allegrini Valpolicella Classico, Poggio Al Tesoro – Mediterra Toscana IGT – 2007, Allegrini La Grola, Allegrini La Poja – 2003, and Allegrini Amarone Classico – 2003.

Some of the interesting appetizing bites are Involtini di Verdure (Vegetable rolls with herb salad), Selezione di Formaggi (Imported Cheeses with fruit mustards, honey, fresh figs) and Selezione di Salumi (Imported Cold cut of salami and cured hams).

For the main course, guests can choose from a variety of flavourful dishes like Agnelo in Dolce Forte (Lamb in “Dolce Forte” sweet and piquant sauce), Spiedini di Pesc (Roasted Fish Skewers with garlic, chilli and herbs), Gamberi col Curry alla Fiorentina (Shrimp in a mild curry Florentine style), Faraona in Salsa Peverada (Roasted Spring Chicken in salsa “peverada” - spicy herb sauce).

Transport your palette to the next level of impeccable taste with Torta di Nocciole e Cioccolato (Chocolate Hazelnut Tort) and Sbrisolona (Almond and Polenta Crumb Cake).

Chef Ronaldo will show case his expertise as he pairs wines like Allegrini Valpolicella, DOC Amarone Allegrini, Allegrini La Poja, Corte Giara, Poggio al Tesoro (Bolgheri-Italia), San Polo Montalcino from the “Land of Wine”- Tuscany.

Curtsey http://www.ambrosiaindia.com

Celebrate Bandra Wine Tasting Event on 15 November 2009 - Mumbai Ready Reckoner

anisha sharma — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:51:00 GMT

Celebrate Bandra brings you an exquisite Wine Tasting Experience. An occasion designed to inculcate an informed appreciation for wine and the processes of winemaking.

There will be a total of 13 wineries participating, each offering first hand knowledge and tasting advice. There will be live music and fine gourmet on offer. There will be a selection of food outlets serving specialities from the kitchens of Zenzi, Mia Cuccina, Kakori House and Flora Caterers.

The wine tasting begins at 11:30 am on the 15th of November and ends at 10:00 pm the same day. It will be held on the D.P.R.C. grounds [D’Monte Park, Bandra]. Please feel free to e-mail us at celebratebandra09@gmail.com should you wish to book your gourment lunch/dinner or purchase your wine appreciation kits in advance

More: mumbaireadyreckoner.com

Wine was world's first fermented drink - Zythophile

anisha sharma — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:26:00 GMT

Fruit is not the only source of natural sugar that will turn into alcohol without any help from anything except wild yeasts. Ripe fruit can, and will, ferment spontaneously as yeast arrive to grab the sugar in the fruit and flood the surroundings with alcohol to keep their rivals away.

If you walk through an untended apple orchard in the autumn, after the apples have fallen from the trees and been lying on the ground, the scent of cider will envelop you, as yeasts attack the rotting fruit. Right now, I’m in a Middle Eastern city where thousands of date palms line every road, and in the evening the strong smell of vinegar is on the warm air: this is because dates that have fallen to the ground have fermented, and then gone on to the next stage, where alcohol is converted by specialist bacteria into acetic acid.

In order of age, the first fermented drinks were fruit-based, followed by honey-based drinks – mead and its variants – next fermented sweet tree-sap drinks such as palm wine, and only fourth, beer.

More: Zythophile

TASTE EXPO 2010

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:17:00 GMT

INDIANWINE.COM is the Official Media Partner for TASTE EXPO 2010 – India’s business focussed trade exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industries. Already being referred to as the largest and most diverse gathering of global produce, TASTE will showcase products and fresh ideas and solutions from around the world. Indianwine’s expertise in educating the industry and encouraging best practice among industry players makes for a well rounded partnership between both brands.

TASTE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Four shows under one roof

TASTE is spread over 4 shows – the India International Wine Fair, the India International Spirits Fair, the India International Food Fair and the India International Hospitality Fair. Each Fair has a host of conferences, workshops and interactive buyer sessions accompanying it.

National TASTE Week

The three-day TASTE show will be preceded by a host of pre-show food and drink related events starting from 25th – 30th January 2010.
Key buyers from across the subcontinent will take part in live cooking demonstrations on the lines of‘ TASTE of France’,‘TASTEof Spain’ and more.
NDTV Good times celebrity chef–Manju Malhi will be conducting live cooking sessions with 6 talented chefs through out the show.
Supermarket buyer for UK stores – Angela Mount will conduct a workshop on ‘Retailing in India’ for food & beverage retailers, producers and importers.
UBI FRANCE will be show casing an exclusive pavilion for Hospitality Equipment at TASTE.

TASTE Summit

The high-level TASTE Summit, features industry leaders and addresses key industry topics. Speakers include Sanjay Menon, Sonarys, Vijayan Gangadharan, Director F&B - The Hyatt, Vishal Kadakia, Wine Park, Harshal Shah, Australian Sommeliers Association and undoubtedly Dharti Desai & Craig Wedge from FWM, among others.

India Wine Challenge

The 3rd edition of the India Wine Challenge - the country’s most internationally recognised wine competition - is now with TASTE. Anchored by the world renowned wine expert, Robert Joseph, the Challenge will be the largest entry based wine competition in India. Masters of Wine, leading Sommeliers, world renowned wine journalists and experts in the field of wine will form the panel of judges. The winners of IWC will be unveiled to a VIP panel of buyers in an exclusive closed room session.

TASTE will shortly be launching the India Spirits Challenge. TASTE is going to be the biggest trade display for the food and beverage industries.
Ensure your involvement.

To know more about TASTE email taste@taste-expo.com or visit www.taste-expo.com.

International Food & Drink Expo India 2009 announces further confirmed speakers for the Business Forum!

venki — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:07:00 GMT

On 2 December, the Business Forum, conducted in association with the official KnowledgePartner, Technopak, will see an authoritative panel of leading food industry experts discussand debate the following topics:

· Commonwealth Games 2010: Opportunities and Challenges faced by the Food & Beverage Sector
· The Legal Environment and Regulations in India
· The Changing Food Habits of the Indian Consumer
· The Emerging Categories of Imported and Gourmet Food
· Issues Regarding Food Safety & Hygiene in India
· FDI in Food Retail

Confirmed speakers now include:

Mr Sanjeev Asthana, Chief Executive, Reliance Retail – Food Business
Mr Amit Lohani, Convenor, Association of Food Product Importers (AFPI)
Mr Harshev Singh, Chief Executive, Reliance Dairy Foods
Mr Sanjay Sethi, Vice President, Food Industry Practise

The International Food & Drink Expo India 2009 will take place 2 – 4 December, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

To pre-register to visit the Expo please go to: www.indiafooddrinkexpo.com/visit

For further information relating to the Business Forum or the show in general, please contact:

Lauren Morrey, Tel: +44 (0) 20 8846 2772 or lmorrey@tarsus.co.uk

www.indiafooddrinkexpo.com

AUSTRALIAN TRADE MISSION TO FINE FOOD AUSTRALIA 2009

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:37:00 GMT

Australian Trade Commission organizes trade delegation comprising of F&B importers and distributors; hospitality chains and food processors to explore sourcing and business tie-ups with Australian firms.

The Australian Trade Commission – Australian Government’s international trade & export facilitation agency is organizing an "Australian buyers trade mission to Fine Food Australia 2009" – exhibition for the food, beverage and hospitality industry in Australia. Fine Food Australia 2009 is being held between September 7-10, 2009 at the scenic city of Sydney.

Featuring more than 1,000 companies, ‘Fine Food Australia 2009’ is a significant industry event in the southern hemisphere. Fine Food Australia showcases the latest innovations in food, drink and equipment bringing together buyers and sellers from around the world, with feature areas focusing on bakery, confectionery, dairy, drinks, meat & seafood, natural products and equipments for retail, catering and hospitality.

Australia enjoys the reputation of a high quality supplier of fresh & innovative food products and Fine Food Australia offers the Indian food retail & hospitality trade the opportunity to source & distribute high quality Australian food, drink and equipment.

The Australian Trade Commission is organizing a trade delegation of Indian buyers and the Australian Trade Commission invites participation from the Indian food retail & hospitality trade, representing airlines, restaurants, retail chains, distributors, food manufacturers and producers, hotels, importers, traders, supermarkets & wholesalers to participate in the "South Asian Buyers Trade Mission to Fine Food Australia 2009".

The Australian Trade Commission offers the Indian buyers targeted sourcing opportunities with over 800 Australian suppliers; introductions & business meetings for the Indian buyers with Australian participants & suppliers at ‘Fine Food Australia 2009’.

Why should you participate?

• In 2008, 1,782 buyers from 60 countries, including 300 as part of official missions hosted by the Australian Trade Commission, wrote over $32 million in export orders at Fine Food in Sydney and that was just the value of deals actually concluded at the show.
• Discover the clean and green products for which Australia is recognized
• Meet suppliers and industry contacts
• Develop an understanding of the market first hand
• Receive on-the-ground assistance and advice on how to successfully operate with Australian companies. Visitors will be able to see and taste thousands of new food and beverage ideas in the Fine Food exhibition, and try out the latest equipment in Hotel Australia. There are special sections for bakery, confectionery, dairy, drinks, meat & seafood, natural products, hotel supplies, catering equipment, packaging, retail equipment and convenience world.

For more information on Doing business with Australian food companies and for participation in the Australian Buyers Trade Mission to ‘Fine Food Australia 2009’, contact Mr Gitesh Agarwal, Business Development Manager, Australian Trade Commission, Chennai at 044-42970002 or at gitesh.agarwal@austrade.gov.au

Dates Announced for International Food & Drink Expo India 2009! - Press Release

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:11:00 GMT

Tarsus Group, a leading global b2b exhibition organiser, is pleased to announce the launch of
their International Food & Drink Expo India (IFDE India) 2009. This prestigious three day trade
show will be held 2 – 4 December 2009 at the Pragati Exhibition Grounds, New Delhi.

India’s population of over 1.1 billion represents one of the largest consumer markets in the
world. The food and drink market is currently estimated to be worth US$182 billion, with rising
disposable incomes and increased urbanization driving consumer demand for a worldwide menu of high quality products.

With this in mind, the organizer's of International Food & Drink Expo India are focused on
providing an unrivalled platform for both international and local suppliers, to showcase their
products and innovations directly to India’s food, drink, hospitality and retail professionals. The event will act as a high profile launch pad for those taking their first steps into the market place, and will also offer more established companies the opportunity to enhance their existing profile and brand penetration.

“I am excited about the opportunities India has to offer worldwide food and beverage
producers” says Lauren Morrey, Project Manager for the event. “The industry’s buyers are
ultimately responsible for meeting consumer demands; I look forward to delivering them an
impressive variety of global products to choose from at IFDE India 2009”

It seems the industry is in agreement, with a number of high profile international trade
associations already showing an interest in organising group participations from their respective countries. As well as offering a world class line up of exhibitors, the exhibition also aims to provide attendees with features and attractions that highlight the diverse range of products at the show, as well as encouraging interactive education and networking opportunities.

IFDE India 2009 is positioned to become the must attend event of the year, for the industry. It will facilitate face-to-face interaction between India’s buying community, and the best
producers and suppliers the world has to offer. The flavour revolution in India has begun, and
IFDE India is leading the way.

For more information about IFDE India 2009, please contact:
Lauren Morrey
www.indiafooddrinkexpo.com

Sula Vineyards now presents to you India's very own 'SAMARA' - Press Release

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Sula Vineyards now presents India's latest product - Samara; Red & White wines produced at Sula's state of the art winery at Nashik. Samara is made from a blend of classic as well as local Indian grape varieties; Samara is a great drinkable wine as it is young and fruity.

Samara is Sula's gift to the consumer in today's market. Table wines are catching up in India at a fast pace and Samara is the perfect blend of great taste and amazing price. It doesn't wallet too hard and is a superior wine.

The red & white wine has 14.5% alcohol and the bottles are compact and beautifully packaged. Ideal with hearty Indian cuisine; Samara is light on your palate and should ideally be served slightly chilled.

Available in 750 ml bottles, Samara is very attractively priced at an MRP of Rs.150/- only per bottle, making them affordable for everyday enjoyment.

Utsav Australia - Hospitality Biz

anisha sharma — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:07:00 GMT

Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) in association with Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia will organise a three-city Australian Seafood and Wine Festival in India. The first one has got underway in The Oberoi, New Delhi and will last till the 15th of November. The promotion will be on offer at the hotel’s ‘threesixty’ restaurant for both lunch and dinner.

The next two will also be held in the Oberoi properties in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Along with a variety of seafood from Australia, some of the finest wines from well known wine growing regions of Australia, like Margaret River, Yarra Valley, and Hunter Valley will be showcased during the festival.

Michael Carter, Trade Commissioner, Australian Trade Commission, says: the festival is a first of its kind initiative to promote and launch Australian seafood and wines in the burgeoning organised fine dining hospitality sector in India.

This is part of the Australian Government's ‘Utsav Australia’ programme to raise awareness about the capabilities of different Australian industries in potential markets. These promotional festivals would be supported by concerted public relation exercise through all channels possible both in Australia and India. The Trade Commission is having talks with select group of five-star properties in India to host similar festivals in the future.

More: Hospitality Biz

India's Fine Wine Hot Spots - Forbes.com

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:47:00 GMT

Ten years into its economic boom, India has transformed itself: Though poverty is still widespread, millionaires abound. Their new drink of choice?

Wine.

Though the annual per capita intake of wine is low, among India's rapidly expanding middle and upper classes, wine drinking is the latest craze. Like luxury cars and watches, it is an obvious badge of "I've arrived"--particularly for the 20-somethings staffing India's new call centers with lots of disposable income to burn--and drink.

In Depth: India's Top Spots For Fine Wine

Wines can take the spice route - The Economic Times

admin — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:20:00 GMT

The wine season has reached its crescendo with the India Food and Wine Show taking up the last three days of this week. One of the interesting offshoots of the event was a dinner which attempted to pair Italian wines with South Indian food. Some thought it was a novel idea. For a city in north India, may be. Considering that the outskirts of Bangalore can also be called wine country, why should wine and South Indian food pairing be odd or even rare?

Still, this was Delhi, and most guests were either north Indian or Delhi-centric foreigners, so the exercise was a bit of an adventure: spicey South Indian fare from Dakshin at the ITC’s Sheraton hotel paired with the wines of the Grandi Marchi, the great families of Italian wine. No one was sure of the outcome, but no one was pessimistic either, given that both wine and food would be of top quality!

A massive meal later, views were still divided. No one said that wines cannot or do not go with South Indian food, but whether the ones chosen to pair each other that evening were the right choice, was the moot question! Six red wines and a lone white had to partner everything from prawn and lobsters to lamb and lentils, not to mention fiery tomato rasam served chilled! The piece de resistance was the white wine pairing typical south Indian curd rice!

for more details please read The Economic Times