When our members reminisce about the delicious dinner at Olive with Grover wines, they will certainly talk about the rain playing spoil sport and making a few of the members go back after making half way to the restaurant. It was a storm of gregarious proportions. The punctual and the brave had an evening of culinary pleasure in store for them.

Kapil Grover had arrived from Mumbai especially for the event. Of course, Abhay Kewadkar, the wine maker was slated to come for the evening and introduce all four wines of the evening, Rose`, Sauvignon, the latest Viognier which was launched at the Event and the piece de résistance, La Reserve’97. Olive’s Director, A D Singh was present and in a very buoyant mood as Olive had won the best resto-bar of Mumbai Award conducted by Time Awards.

If the members polished off more than the expected quantity of Rose` and Sauvignon Blanc, it was because waiting for the rain to end meant a constant refilling of glasses.

Abhay’s presentation of wines was to say the least, very impressive. He was crisp and clear as their Sauvignon Blanc and very refreshing with a bit of spice added, just like the Viognier blend that was launched. You could feel his passion and complex knowledge like the ’97.

La Reserve we got on our table was, unfortunately, corked. In fact it would have been a perfect opportunity and lesson to explain the difference between a good and corked wine. A glass I stole from another table showed the true colours of this wine. Abhay wasn’t exaggerating when he said that this label could be cellared for a better and more mature wine a few years down the line, provided it was stored well. This 1997 vintage had been left unsold as this first vintage with quantities in the cellar too small to justify the sale has been aging quietly and the complexities and range of flavours justifies his claim.

Olive has always been a pleasure to be at. The only problem is that after the dinner there people want us to make it the permanent venue – an impossible task even though they are a friend-of-Delhi Win Club restaurant. The food was amazingly delicious. Chef Manu’s paring and actually using these wines in the cooking could be one factor, but people were willing to bet on the presence of AD as a significant factor.

Details about the wines are already mentioned at

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It is my guess that the Sauvignon Blanc will win the revenue race in the end, the variety offered by the latest addition notwithstanding. The Menu gives you some idea of what we enjoyed this evening with a full house in attendance. A word of special thanks to Sunil Khanna , Mohit, Anirban and the serving staff for doing an excellent job is in order. They were unfazed by the torrential rains and had to make a few last minute changes.

Subhash Arora