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Three Merlots from Three Continents – 16th
October 2005 – Hotel Manohar “The Executive Club Lounge”
Wine Dinner by Hyderabad Wine Club (HWC)
A little advance in our activities, in
learning more about wines, we thought of tasting three different wines
from the same grape Merlot from different countries. An exercise to
introduce the concept of compare and contract the effect of style,
terrior, wine makers experience in turning the same grape to wines with
different textures. Here we have three Merlots – Ranmeva from Dajeeba
Vineyards, Sangli, Maharastra, India E&J Gallo Seirra Valley from
California, USA and from Tierruca, Errazuriz vineyards, Chile.
“Let us enjoy the evening by wining –
dining and merrying” is the common feeling from our members. But I
would like our members to learn a little bit about wines every time we
meet. Comparing three Merlots is itself an experience for us. But
just before venturing in to actual compare and contrast arena, we
thought of having a feel of what Merlot tastes like in comparison with
other nearest and prominent white and red varietal wines – the Chenin
Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
One more exercise (do we call it like that
? or a pleasure pretended to be an exercise) is to see how the
Hyderabadi cuisine will match with Merlot., an indianized Red Grape
gaining popularity among winemakers of our country.
Mr. Laurenzo Lever, F&B Manager is all
help and Chefs of Hotel Manohar are more than happy to prepare local
specialties for such an evening. - Hara Bara Kabab, Dal Sharba Nawabi,
Dum ka Biryani, Mirchi ka Salan, Aachari paneer, Double ka Meeta
typical of Hyderabadi are dishes that accompanied these wines.
Wines were good mainly the EJGallo Seirra
Valley Merlot, there was lots of questions from mainly guests, who for
the first time, actually tasting wine with some one to explain points
raised. In general a good evening with good wines and good food.
Food was great. After all it is Hyderabad
and food is of Hyderabadi. Still we felt that a little more exercise
has to be undertaken, to match this exclusive food with corresponding
wines. Certainly we will have more evenings to do so.
Who told that Wines are not suitable for
Asian Cuisine?. If happyvines.com can adventures a “Wine Dinner” with
firey Costal Andhra Cusine, why can’t we experiment with a its more
lighter cousin?
Hyderabad is slowly catching up to the
wine culture. Teetotalers Dr. Ram & Sunithi Satwalekar joined the club,
knowing fully well the beneficial aspects of wine drinking. Dr. VA
Naidu of Maruthi hospitals complains that the ‘die hard scotch drinkers’
are not yet inclined upon trying this celestial drink. If they do so
with proper guidance, he is sure that in no time wine culture picks
up. “Once you attend such a wine dinner, people will be hooked to
wines” is the feeling of Ms. Geetha Srivastava from Indian Airlines
Balaji Rao BK
President, Hyderabad Wine Club |
