Bandra Wine Tasting Festival - A newbie post

In this post I will not be telling you what I drank, which one I liked better but what we did mostly.

I am not a wine drinker but I am not biased on what I drink. Wine is said to be the drink for the classes. And when I saw Wine Tasting festival organized by Pune Gourmet Club aka PGC in Bandra Gymkhana, I had set my heart out and the deal given by PGC was awesome taste 20 glasses wines for Rs. 500 only which by a marwadi calculation is a super deal (I know I am being cheap here but month end you need to check your wallet, right?)

We 3 eager people reached the location around 1:45 pm all excited and with a promise to ourselves that we will finish off the coupons, yes all 20 of them. We entered and found ourselves a shady place to sit away from the sun and relax. Opened our bags which was given by PGC which contained Wine Glass by Pause, Booklet by PGC where all about wine and wine making was written, Pen, coupons and menu card of the food stall.

10 minutes after soaking in the whole atmosphere we all naive wine drinkers headed off to the first stall Four Seasons and upon greeting they asked what would we like to have. As naive as we are about not knowing the names, how to pronounce them we just said in simple English "What do you suggest?" Then the lady behind the counter courteous enough told us, "I suggest you white wine" we nod, she added "do you like it sweet or dry?" We had no clue what dry meant we went for sweet. Ohh! yes we did sniff, we did swirl, we did roll the wine in our tongue but did not get exactly what they meant by fruity flavor.

So first few drinks were all white or at times Rose we did sip in slowly, talked, watched, read the booklet. As it was afternoon time we were suggested to have white chilled wine and as a good listener we obeyed them and drank them slowly.

Around 5 pm we had around total of 11 glasses of white wine, rose and red wine. But mostly it was white wine with the sweet tasting one. Well the dry white wine makes your tongue go dry when you swirl the Wine around a bit in your mouth and gulp it down.

The festival also had some interesting food counters Cafe Arabia for Lebanese food which was great. PGC Sea Food barbeque which had fishes and pastas, we tried Chicken Pasta which was just OK. And Chicken Curry South Indian style again average.

We novice people wanted to try cheese as well and after having some horrific cheese forgot the name (do not want to remember about it at all) we decided we are happy with our Amul Cheese.

There was a live food counter made by a famous Chef of a famous hotel, he made Ravioli and Risotto, If I had ordered them, I would have promptly sent them away. One of the worst I have ever tasted and an Italian female duly agreed with me.

Around 7:30 PM when I had another appointment to keep had to rush off after around 16 glasses and we did not finish our promise.



Heard it on a TV Channel "Wine Making and drinking is a serious business and beer making is a fun business" which I understood when I was at the tasting festival, guys behind the counter in smart white, very serious looking, jazz playing and everyone sitting in their own table talking in a low voice.

Vapour - Microbrewery

Vapourise yourself

With 20% discount coupon in our hand we end up going to Vapour a Microbrewery in Gurgaon MGF Mall. As we reach the door we are said by the receptionist that the place is full and clearly I can see 10 tables empty....when asked they said people are expected and you should have a reservation. As only 2 were there we were allowed to go to the rooftop
.
For me that was the only bad experience and after that it went uphill.....the brewery has 4 kinds of Beer Premium, Dark, Wheat and Light.
Premium was Good, Wheat tasted like a todi (drink made from coconut) and Dark which was really Good. Well light was not available. The beer cost was Rs. 185 for 500 ml without taxes.
If you like Hindi and Punjabi music do go in party room and if you like good ol rock music go to the rooftop.
They also have hookahs and bbq's which are basically ok and service is quite good.
After good 4 hours of music, beer and hookah I was pretty impressed and yes the girls are really hot.
Contact:
Vapour, 2nd floor, MGF Mega City mall, Gurgaon
Mobile number: 9810690973,9582555614.
Tel number: 0124-4222313

Bhagat Tarachand - Not to be missed! Never!

Was there in 2007 with a friend in October celebrating our birthday together by hopping around the city and our last destination was Bhagat Tarachand for food and that was my first time. Zoom ahead to year 2010 going out with a pure veggie alcohol drinking couple and my motive is to find the best veg eating joint for them and for me also.

After coordinating we decide to meet around 1 pm near Bhadshad Falooda but their taxi wala such a good person took them through a shorter route from Flora Fountain and drop them at MumbaDevi Mandir. While after having a chilled Falooda we walk towards Mumbadevi through Zaveri bazaar.

Note: There are almost 7 Bhagat Tarachand but the one which comes first after Zaveri Bazaar on the right hand side and you have to walk up a floor to reach the hotel. I am sure you will miss it once...

Weekend as it was we waited for 20 mins while the jovial manager was taking down notes on who and where  one should seat...it is funny if you just observe his talking style and at times he cracks you up also.

Looking at the menu is very confusing and very different from other Mumbai Restaurant. So instead of you searching randomly I will say you what to have coz we had the same things and we were not disappointed at all.
- Papad Churi - Regular papad crushed and cooked in oil with onions and spices. Super amazing.
- Kutchi Beer aka Chaas aka Butter Milk - One of its kind served in a beer bottle and super duper tasty. Thick with hint of masala but no pieces of masala. (we had 2 bottles)
- Hara Bhara kabab - The regular one but they do also have 2 - 3 more varieties of starters. Do check with them.
- Double Dal Takda Fry - Yesh you read it correctly DOUBLE! Tasty is an understatement it had a flavor which we went on arguing about whether it was a taste of Jaggery or Onions.
- Sindhi Kadhi - Dahi preparation Sindhi Kadhi with pakora was good and worth a try.

Now the best part as we are part of Sweet tooth group, waiter comes in and ask what about sweets?
S: Do you have Gajar halwa?
Waiter: Yes we do
V: Get 1 of that.
Waiter: You should also try Rabdi it is our specialty. (with a hint of smile)
N: Yes get that one too
Waiter: What about Gulab jamun?
S: Is it hot?
Waiter: yes
V: *3 second thought* Get one of that also.

And I must say we did not regret it. Overall experience was priceless but cost us Rs. 350 each.

If you are not a veggie hater this is a must try place...they have opened up at lots of places but this is the real deal

Address:
Mumbadevi Commercial Centre, 51-53
Zaveri Bazaar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400002
022 22420215

TASTE EXPO

Featuring wines from 8 countries showcasing 4 brands each, introductory certification courses from world renowned institutes WSET & CAFA in addition to single malt workshops – the TASTE features are set to invigorate the senses. 

Image via Wikipedia

When: January 28 & 29, 2010

Where: Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai

Day & Time                 AgendaBrands/ Topics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

DAY 1                                                   

10.30 ONWARDS         VISITOR REGISTRATION OPENS

11.00 – 11.15              INAUGURATION 

12.00 - 13.00               WSET INTRODUCTORY TASTING CLASS – I 

                                    'Taste like a professional'                                                             

                                    Conducted by David Wrigley, MW, WSET                                             

Swirling, slurping and spitting – the art of tasting wine in a professional arena is very different to simply enjoying a glass with friends.   The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been developing and delivering qualifications for the trade professional for over 40 years.

Build your confidence in tasting wine, complete an activity to attune your senses, followed by a wine tasting using the WSET’s Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting.  By taking the time to assess the colour, describe the aroma and consider the palate you can start making decisions about the quality of a wine – vital skills for those who love wine.                        

Attendees receive certificates from WSET at the end of the session.         

12.00 - 13.00               CAFA SCHOOL OF WINE & SPIRITS 

                                    'Wine-making methods used in Europe'

                                    Conducted by Mathieu Huguet, Wine-maker                                                     

14.00 - 14.30               WINES OF FRANCE

The French group will be delighted to take you through the regions of Champagne, Bordeaux, Sud De France. Wines available to taste are Champagne Chaudron, Champagne Malard, Buzet, Aimery Sieur D’arques and Domaine de Puech Haut from the Languedoc region, Cognac and Pineaux Lheraud and Chateau Montaud from Provence.               

14.00 - 14.30               WINES OF ITALY

A group of charming wines including regional specialities such as Chianti, Brunello, Montepulicano and Barolo will be presented by the interesting mix of Italians.  

14.30 - 15.00               WINES OF AUSTRIA

The Austrian Wine Marketing board representing the best wines available from the country will be presenting some classic and young interesting vintages.               

14.30 - 15.00               WINES OF GERMANY

A strong interesting group of wines made available to you at TASTE include Kerner Gewürztraminer Spätlese, Riesling Niersteiner Ölberg  Spätlese, Trollinger Lemberger QbA and specialist wines from the Morhena  association of wineries.   

15.00 – 16.00              WINE AND SPIRIT PANEL DISCUSSION

‘Overcoming the challenges facing the Indian Wine Market Tackling taxation and its impact on the market’

• Highlighting the struggle in introducing new labels

• Following market trends

• Embracing change within the wine market

v  Sanjay Menon, Importer, Sonarys                                                   

v  Vishal Kadakia, CEO, Wine Park                                                     

v  Subhash Arora, President, Delhi Wine Club & Indian Wine Academy                                              

15.00 - 16.00               TULLEEHO BEER APPRECIATION WORKSHOP

Conducted by the Tulleeho Bartending Academy, the Tulleeho Workshops will not only add the dash of flavour to your next drink but will also leave you with interesting facts that will serve to open up a whole new meaning to taste. Attend and appreciate.              

16.00 - 17.00               WINE AND SPIRIT PANEL DISCUSSION                                                          

v  David Wrigley, MW, WSET                                                      

v  Dharti Desai, CEO, FineWinesnMore      

16.00 - 16.30               WINES OF PORTUGAL

Portugal is the new star at the wine fair and will be presenting a range of wines including the finest of Porto Wines. Featuring Vista Alrgre Port LBV 2003, Costa Do Pombal (Doc Douro) and Vallegre Special Reserve 2005.    

16.30 - 17.00               WINES OF INDIA

                             A host of the finest wines from the finest and talented wine makers in India will give you a live taste of the amazing progress achieved by the country’s pioneering wine makers.

DAY 2       

                                                                            

10.30 ONWARDS         VISITOR REGISTRATION OPENS

12.00 - 13.00               WSET INTRODUCTORY TASTING CLASS - II

‘Does wine tell its own story?’                                                       

Conducted by David Wrigley, MW, WSET             

Tasting wine professionally isn’t a clever party trick designed to impress your friends when you manage to guess the grape variety, country and vintage correctly, it’s a chance for us to consider a wine in detail and to make educated conclusions.

In this session, WSET will look at what we can learn about a wine by tasting it blind.  Using the WSET’s Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting, we will evaluate the wine before asking ourselves what our tasting notes, together with our global wine knowledge, tell us about what we have in the glass… what does the wine tell us about itself?  Is it a classic wine of its style? What is its value category? 

Attendees receive certificates from WSET at the end of the session.

12.00 - 13.00               CAFA SCHOOL OF WINE & SPIRITS

‘All about Cognac’

Conducted by Amit Keval, Consultant    

This workshop will focus on the intricate details of how cognac is manufactured and how to taste it best.     

14.00 - 14.30               WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA

                                     

Wines of South Africa will be presenting award winning wines with a special focus on wines from the distinctive terroir of Saronsberg. The ranges available include the Provenance range known for their fruit driven elegance, the Provenance Shiraz range renowned for their elegant and accessible tannins, the Saronsber range with their full range of bold fruity wines and the Saronsber Seismic range.     

14.00 - 14.30               WINES OF SPAIN

The group of wineries from Spain are here to present to you 'new to India' wines including brandy from Jerez, wines from the region of Toro and a range of wines presented by Grapeland.           

15.00 - 16.00               FOOD PANEL DISCUSSION 

Highlighting the weaknesses & optimising the strengths of the Food & Beverage Sector in India                          

v  Vijayan Gangadharan, Director - F&B, Grand Hyatt                                                                     

v  Rajiv Kapoor, Assistant Director - F&B, Le Royal Meridien                                               

v  Ranju Singh, Director - F&B, Taj Lands End           

15.00 - 16.00               TULLEEHO SCOTCH & SINGLE MALT APPRECIATION WORKSHOP 

                                    Mesmerized by Single Malt?                                                                  

Take the Scotch Whisky Trail and get acquainted with the regions of Scotland and their varied whiskies. Learn from the Whiskey Guru and get fascinated by the taste and smells that will undoubtedly overwhelm your senses. Brands for tasting will be announced shortly. Attendees receive certificates from the Tulleeho Bartending Academy at the end of this session.                   

16.00 - 17.00               THE ULTIMATE WINE & FOOD PAIRING SESSION

Conducted by Cru Classe's Lara Cowan

An oenophile and “wine geek” at core, Lara believes in staying abreast of the newest developments in the world of wine, yet trusts and respects the traditions that have nurtured wines through the ages. To complement the world of Wines, Lara also has a background in Food Technology. As a trained Pastry Chef and an accomplished Chef she believes in "balance". Balance of flavours, textures and all the delicate intricacies of ingredients are important to her...and without compromise. Food and Wine Pairing, undoubtedly comes naturally to her!        

16.00 - 17.00               TAJ TEA WORKSHOP

This tea tasting and appreciation workshop reveals the mystery behind this exotic drink and   takes you on a journey that will transform you from a tea lover to a tea connoisseur. Along the way, we will master the art of making a perfect cup of tea and also figure out what to do with an orange peel. Featuring Taj Tea Brands, by Hindustan Unilever Limited.                                 

                                    *TASTE Show Features agenda and timings are subject to change

To enroll for the TASTE features, please contact me on +91 98207 04500. Registrations on a first come first serve basis only.

Mello Jello's

Was always curious on how Jello shots were made and how they would taste, so finally went into the kitchen to make one at my home and seriously it is very very easy to make

Ingredients:
Vodka (Depends on how much strong you want to make it)
Water
Eagle Jelly (see photo)

Preparation:
Very simple make Jelly the way it is described at the back of the Jelly pack. Cool down the water and then add Vodka to your liking. Pour the cold mixture in shot glasses or the plastic glasses and keep them in the fridge and let it become firm...and done....

See photos of how it is made :)

So guys this can become your awesome party drink

Mad Dog Shot – Poland & Vodka!!!

When you think vodka, you automatically think Poland. Żubrówka, Goldwasser, Starka, Wyborowa and Sobieski are the most notable Polish vodka brands. And there are so many more!!!

Polish vodkas are 40 per cent alcohol by volume. Rye, buckwheat and oats thrive in Poland's chilly soil and hence production of respective base vodka. Flavored vodka is easily available in Poland courtesy its effortless access to exotic herbs, roots and spices.

Mad Dog Shot (aka Wściekły Pies in Polish) is an extremely popular vodka, syrup and sauce concoction, available at all the bars, seen and consumed at parties and gatherings. Here is the formula.

Mad Dog Shot
Ingredients:
30 ml chilled vodka
15 ml concentrated raspberry syrup
4 - 5 drops Tobasco sauce

Paraphernalia:
A shot glass
A spoon or a knife

Method:
Pour the raspberry syrup into the shot glass.
Pour vodka slowly and softly avoiding liquids getting mixed up. You could use a spoon or a knife to do so. Two different layers of syrup and vodka should be visible.
Throw in Tabasco sauce drops.
Your Wściekły Pies is ready. Na Zdrowie!!!


WARNING: NOT TO BE CONSUMED BY MINORS.

Doolally Premium Micro Brew - For the love of Beer!!

This is the first time I did something different just for alcohol, which was go out to Pune from Mumbai for a night of drinking (though meeting people was also involved) and it was at "The Corinthians" for some Premium Beer by company called Doolally.

Reached Pune by 8:30 pm and headed to NIBM Annexe where the brewery is located. So after meeting friends and new people headed inside the "Pune's 1st Microbrewery!".

The place is new and looks awesome with description of beer and other things on the wall. And music reminded me of Hawaiin Shack in Mumbai (Retro Rock and Classics).

So there 4 types of Beers when we went there
- Premium Lager (my fav)
- Apple Cider
- Dunkel (Black Beer)
-Wheat Beer

The cost of Pint (which is actually a Glass) is Rs. 140 cost less than international beers in pint and Pitcher was Rs. 400 - Rs. 450 holds 4 glasses.

I am posting something directly from the website as it is true..

Handcrafted in small batches the traditional way, our beers are made from the best stuff selected from around the world… Beers that actually have taste, aroma, body etc.!

 

So you will ask where can you get this thing:

Pune’s 1st Microbrewery!
@ The Corinthians Boutique Hotel,
Nyati County, NIBM Annexe,
South Pune, Pune 411060
For reservations call
020 26952226

Also there is Sunday Brunch which cost Rs. 650 including unlimited food and some awesome beer.

My Prediction:

Other Indian made beer are piss in front of this new born awesome beer.

Tuborg Beer Crawl - For All Beer Lovers

Tho, I know it is late but if you likey some Beer go for this....
Date: Wednesday, November 18 To: Friday, November 27

As part of Celebrate Bandra, www.bestofbombay.com presents the Vodafone Tuborg Crawl where a group of approximately 35 people crawl from one bar to the next on a bus where they are made a part of the Tuborg experience.

The Tuborg Experience includes pints of Tuborg amidst wild and whacky beer games. Participants will take home funky Tuborg merchandise and goodies such as MP3 Players, Speakers, Pen Drives etc. While on the bus, crawling from one bar to the next, interactive games and contests are carried out and participants stand the chance to win Tuborg merchandise.

So if you’re Open for Fun, call 9619207356 or email on barcrawl@bestofbombay.com and register for the crawl.

Dates: November 18th, 19th, 25th and 27th

Time: 8:30 PM onwards

Venues: Bonobo, Soul Fry, Mocha Mojo, Café Goa, Banana Bar etc

Cost: Rs 300 per person