Delhi Wine Club organized a dinner in conjunction with Hotel Park on Friday 10 th September to launch Goldwater Estate wines from New Zealand. This small family owned winery produces wine in the Waiheke Island near Auckland and also in Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. Gretchen Goldwater Export Manager and daughter of the founder Kim Goldwater was on hand along with her husband Ken Christie, General Manager to present their wines along with Mehras who are their distributors in India.

Presentation and preparation of the food was par excellence- exceeded only by the ever smiling service of the staff that seemed to put their heart and soul and actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. Since the last few times, the chef has also given in to the demands of fine red wines on the level of hot spices desirable and it has certainly come down a few decibels. ‘Burani Gosht' was perfect accompaniment to the cab/Merlot trashing the opinion that Indian dishes are tough to pare with Indian spicy meat dishes.

Surprisingly Sauvignon Blanc, the flagship wine of the company, and indeed New Zealand was missing. Ken and Gretchen took pains to explain that they were bottling these wines only in the stelvin metal closures and were not using any corks. During their visit though, they seemed to have been convinced that the Indian customers can be an adamant lot. They are too used to cheap Indian wines in those closures to accept a decent wine in anything but the cork, at least for the time being. Knowing the acceptance of these wines in India, they have decided to package some quantities specially for their Indian importers, Global Imports.

The SB was replaced by another Chardonnay. Both Chardonnays were very pleasant tasting –one from Waiheke Island and the other from Marlborough, Zell from Waiheke was liked better. It was creamier, more peachy and fuller bodied. But the red wines were both a surprise package that complimented the Fire food elegantly. It just showed that the grit the New Zealanders have shown in experimenting with the newer international varieties beyond the popular Sauvignon Blanc is about to yield dividends. The only problem is that the size of the vineyards and the companies makes marketing overseas an expensive proposal. If this adds to the cost per bottle, then the less expensive alternatives available from their friendly neighbour, Australia overflowing with excess wines and grapes will be a major hurdle in their exports pushing northwards.

Here is what we enjoyed in addition to the company and the bonhomie this evening:

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Amuse Bouche - Veg Haleem in Golgappa
Friexenet Cordon Negro Brut

Mushroom Kathi/ Murgh Malai Tikka
Goldwater DOG Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Paneer ka Soola/ Nimbu Macchli Tikka
Goldwater Zell Waiheke Island Chardonnay

Summer Vegetable Risotto/ Chettinad Masala Rice with Chicken
Goldwater Wood's Hill Cab.Sauv./Merlot /Cabernet Franc

Mushroom Mattar/ Burani Gosht
Saag of the Day
Lahsuni Aloo
Channa Dal
Assorted Breads
Goldwater Waiheke Island Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Chenna Payesh

Cheers!
Subhash Arora