Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi has organised an International Vine and Food Festival. I attended the second day master class here. The session started with a buffet lunch. The lunch menu was exotic but I am not sure it suited the buffet format.

In the starters the highlight for me was the white gazpacho. In the mains, on paper there was much exotica, some of which did not taste as good when kept out for so long on the buffet table. Among the dishes I really enjoyed were a delicious Duck two ways, and the flaky Chilean sea bass.

            Duck Two ways                                         Chilean Sea Bass

The desserts were competent. Soon thereafter, the masterclass started.

                                                Desserts Bar

The first speaker was impressive because he was a true expert in wines, and explained the taste and intricacies through straight speak. Liam Steevenson, Master of wine introduced us to Astrolabe’s Sauvignon Blanc. It was a session I truly enjoyed.

                                        Liam Steevenson

This was followed by a video presentation and tasting of Ice Wine, a truly delicious sip. Magandeep Singh spoke on Drappier Champagne, France, and Kei Choshiya hosted a tasting of Sake. Both the sakes were phenomenal, my favourite being the second sake that was served. It took all my self-control to stop at two of these.

                 Magandeep Singh                                 Kei Choshiya

I look forward to more such exciting festivals for their sheer deliciousness as well as they being a great learning occasion. Reproducing the press release released by Taj below:

PRESS RELEASE

The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi raises a toast to “International Vine and Food Experience 2016”

New Delhi, 26th March, 2016: Roger Scruton, an English Philosopher once said, “Wine is not just an object of pleasure, but an object of knowledge; and the pleasure depends on the knowledge”. In celebration of the drink that signifies sophistication and class, The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi in association with Sibarita – The pleasure principle, were the proud hosts of the “The International Vine and Food Experience 2016”, curated by renowned Sommelier Keith W Edgar along with the crème de la crème of the wine industry on 25th and 26th March, 2016.

The opening day saw “The Grand Tasting” featuring wineries from around the world showcasing their finest selection of wines. Beautiful canopies amidst lush lawns were set up for over fifty wineries to pour their finest offerings and complementing them were food stations offering an elaborate array of delicacies paired by expert Chefs at the hotel. The exciting Masterclasses by mavens provided a lowdown on everything you need to know about the drink. Experts from various wineries took the guests on a journey through their beautiful vineyards and offered them a whiff of their culture and traditions.

Day one Master Classes:

•          How to taste wine like a Master, with Liam Steevenson, Master of wine

•          Principe Corsini – “Understanding Chianti, 1716-2016” – Prince Duccio Corsini conducted a session on Chianti Classico and its quality classification system

•          Craig Wedge conducted a tasting of Zardetto Prosecco

•          A session by Rupali Bhatnagar, Sparkling winemaker from Sula, on Sparkling Wines

•          Craig Wedge from Fratelli wines explored style differences of Chardonnay from around the world

•          Karishma Grover guided guests through the process of barrel fermentation with Viognier

•          Chief Winemaker Ajoy Shaw from Sula spoke about pioneering successful white varietals in India

•          Senhora do Covento discussed LBV port

•          Vishal Kadakia explored native grape varieties from Spain and Portugal

•          Kei Choshiya from Japan introduced guests into the World of Sake

Day two had the “The Master Class Series” and involved a series of engaging sessions. Guests were treated to a grand food and wine pairing over lunch. From Pan seared tuna with enoki annd button mushroom marinate to Smoked Ricotta Ravioli, Duck two ways to Strawberry Charlotte, a firework of flavors was what hit the guests.

Day two Master Classes:

•          Magandeep Singh of Drappier Champagne, France

•          Liam Steevenson Master of wine,  with Astrolabe’s Sauvignon Blanc- “Marlborough and the Man”

•          Kei Choshiya hosted a tasting of Sake

The two day extravaganza came to a closure with a Black Tie Gala dinner, a bespoke evening that witnessed Champagne Drappier Reception followed by dinner. The Indian Navy Band enhanced the ambience at The Pool Side Lawns with their soul stirring performance just before dinner commenced. A heady combination of insightful conversations, fine wine and sumptuous food brought the curtain on the memorable two day affair.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Satyajeet Krishnan, GM, The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi said, “We are honored to host Delhi’s first edition of the International Vine and Food Experience. At The Taj Mahal hotel, New Delhi, we always aim to create meaningful experiences for our patrons and with IVFE we bring two days of extravagant celebration of delicious wine, an elaborate array of delicacies and exquisite set-ups. The Taj group initiated this pioneering experience 3 years ago and we at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi are proud to carry on this legacy by introducing it to the capital city.”

Elaborating on the concept behind this two day mega event, Sommelier Mr Keith W Edgar said, “International Vine and Food Experience was started as a novel concept to bring a world class event that could provide a perfect platform for people to enjoy a wide variety of wine as well as interact and learn from the experts. After enjoying two massively successful seasons, IVFE 2016 got bigger, better and more luxurious with Taj playing the perfect host and bringing to life an event of such scale and grandeur. The iconic Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi has been gracious enough to help us create a multi-layered event that had something for everyone, a grand tasting of over fifty wineries with food stations serving treats from a global menu to a multi course dinner paired with the world’s finest wines. Additionally, it also had an element of Master classes for anyone wanting in-depth knowledge of their drink. IVFE 2016 was a special one also because we had Prince Duccio Corsini hosting a session on Chianti Classico and its quality classification system. This, at a time when Chianti Classico is celebrating 300 years of the region being awarded the official status of Chianti making.”

A tribute to food and wine-lovers, this experience was organized to provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of viniculture to all and to help raise awareness and appreciation of the beauty and art of wine-making and tasting in the country.

Sibarita, a new luxury brand in the country formed by the dynamic pair Patricia Emma Fernandez and Sybilla de Uray Ura, officially launches in India and was the national sponsor for the two day gala event. The tie up of Sibarita and Taj seemed a natural progression as both celebrate the good things in life – Taj with its fine wine and food only enhanced the exquisite surroundings created by Sibarita – together they made a feast for all the senses.

About Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi:

The Taj Mahal Hotel on Number One Mansingh Road, New Delhi is one of the most distinguished addresses in the national capital. Its proximity to the seat of government, the city’s diplomatic corps and business district has furthered The Taj Mahal Hotel’s reputation as the epicenter of the Delhi. Graceful architecture blends aesthetically with modern facilities. Indeed, it is a tribute to hospitality and service, complementing the broad boulevards and leafy splendor of Delhi’s chief architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens..