When Brindco Sales, the importer of Baron Philippe de Rothschild in India invited a small and select number of wine club members for a wine appreciation dinner at Azzurro Restaurant in Saket with the Rothschild wines and meet their GM-Asia-Pacific, Mr. Thierry Tourniel, I must say I drooled a little.

Azzurro offers excellent Mediterranean cuisine prepared under the superb guidance of partner and Cordon Bleu Chef from London, Shrivant Rajgarhia. Rothschild is one of the most powerful and respected names in Bordeaux wines. Lafite and Philippe are two of the five Chateaux enjoying the Fist Growth status under the famous 1855 Classification, the others being Latour, Margaux and Haut-Brion (in Grave). This Classification remains unchanged since 1855 barring Philippe Rothschild that muscled its way into the elite group in 1973. If you are ever confused about which Rothschild we are talking about, well, this is the group that has been using labels designed by famous artists like Picasso, Chagall etc. since 1945.

When one thinks of this Rothschild, one thinks of Mouton – the classic Chateaux wine which even upwards of US $ 500 for its recent better vintages. Therefore a Mouton is a Mouton is a Mouton (unless it is a Mouton Cadet in which case it is a Cadet –italics added by me). So those of us who were expecting a vertical tasting of the Chateaux wines must have been a trifle disappointed but to others it was a decent presentation of their lower-end branded Cadet wines, the JV Chilean wines and of course, the flagship Mouton'94 even though it was the least favourite year of the nineties. Their Sauternes was an excellent accompaniment for the desserts.

Cadet is a branded wine with AOC Bordeaux Appellation that gives credence to the adage that even the inexpensive wines produced by better producers will give a better wine. So if one is not expecting a Mouton, the Cadet will just do fine, thank you and not burn a hole in the pocket. And if it makes you feel you are drinking a Mouton, well, Cheers! But the Chilean wines were delicious too and definitely worth drinking if the price is right.

Cadet and Mouton are popular names even in a place like Delhi where sometimes people can't tell the difference between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy so it should do well. One only hopes that the next time Mr. Tourniel stops by, he has some Moutons on offer. I could suggest 1989. 1999 or 2000, the earlier ones may be a bit much to expect. ( Their 1961 retails for US $1500 compared to US $500 for a 1999 and a more reasonable US $150 for the 1994 that we enjoyed ‘wetting our moustache' with) Of course my favourite vintage, Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1er Grand Cru Classe`, Pauillac 1945 would set me back by US $10,000 a bottle. For the Indian market a US $12 Mouton Cadet (pronounced as MootoN ka-they) should be a welcome addition.

Here is the menu for the evening:

APERITIF
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Blanc 2002
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Rouge 2001

Bruschetta – Tomato & Basil, Sun- dried Tomato & Pesto, Seafood

FIRST COURSE
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chardonnay Valle Central 2002

Musroom Polenta
Garlic Prawns or Chicken Olive Roll

ENTRÉE
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo Maipo Valley 2002
Melanzane

Rosemary Lamb Skewers or Grilled Chicken Cacciatore
MAIN COURSE
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1er Grand Cru classe`, Pauillac 1994

Cabbage & Spinach Turnover
Lamb Piccatta

DESSERT
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Sauternes 2001

Poached Pear & Almond Cream Tart or Tiramisu

Cheers!
Subhash Arora
24 Aug, 2004