This year's edition of the Pune Wine Tasting Festival will not only see the best wine makers from India and abroad but will also offer a mix of art, dance music and food starting from tomorrow
The seventh Pune Wine Tasting Festival is here, and this time it’s more than just about wine, food and art. Coming together for the first time at the festival, is a unique Jazz performance titled, Jazz by the Lawn, featuring Japanese Jazz singer Kiyoko Yamamoto, and a special Latin dance workshop by Danza De La Liga.
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“There will be fourteen exhibitors with Indian wineries and importers showcasing more than 90 wines from India, Spain, US and Italy,” informed B Shankaranarayan, festival coordinator.
While the Festival is an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to savour and get familiar with a vast range of wines, it also offers them a chance to get a wholesome wine experience — right from learning to distinguish between different varieties, and wine aroma recognition to discovering how to appreciate its flavour. Hence the two-day festival will also offer visitors a mixed bag of wine tasting, education and appreciation sessions by experts, along with cookery shows by leading chefs, and a special food court featuring a tempting array of choices. “All in all, it’s going to be a completely heady experience,” he added.
India’s leading wine maker, Dr Rajesh Rasal, will be present at the venue to interact with wine enthusiasts. Joining him will be Yeyati Nafrey, author of the e-book on wine, 100 Essential Wine Facts, who will be conducting wine appreciation sessions and talks on wine, cheese and food pairing. Restaurateur Mahesh Kini will conduct cookery workshops on both days.
“All the workshops and cooking shows to be held at the festival are free of cost for visitors who pay the entry fee (Rs 500). They can also taste wines without paying any extra fees,” added Shankaranarayan.
The festival will also showcase paintings and artifacts of cartoonist Mario Miranda along with a special art corner where visitors could paint under the guidance of experts by paying nominal fees.
The Food Court at the festival will feature a wide range of wine-friendly delights from Pune’s popular eateries. “We have also invited students of Maharashtra Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, who will operate a food stall as an entrepreneurship project and serve Oriental food,” said Shankaranarayan.
Visitors can also enjoy varieties of cheese including smoked ones, India’s first white mold cheese — Cambrie — as well as a domestic blue cheese. Adding to the excitement will be grape stomping sessions.
On: December 14, 12 noon to 10 pm; and December 15, 11.30 am to 10 pm
At: Rohi Villa Palace, Koregaon Park.
Log on to: www.punewinefestival.in
Activities at the wine festival:
> Interaction with Indian wine maker Dr Rajesh Rasal
> Wine appreciation sessions and talks on wine, cheese and food pairing with Yeyati Nafrey, author of the e-book on wine — 100 Essential Wine Facts.
> Cookery workshops with restaurateur Mahesh Kini
> Grape stomping