The Hindu Business Line : Wine festival is here

GOOD FOOD, some of the world's best wines, a stunning setting and a gathering of the country's jet-setting crowd in attendance. Amby Valley, the Sahara group's lake city, came alive last weekend with the glitterati descending upon the place in droves to celebrate the Amby-Valley, Chateau Indage Wine festival 2004.

Set against the magnificent Sahyadri ranges in the background, the day took off with the first crushing of the luscious purple hued fruit the way it is done in Champagne - by stomping on wooden vats full to the brim with it!

Over two tonnes of the fruit was actually transported from Indage's vineyard at Narayangaon near Pune to Amby Valley where groups of invitees, including a sprinkling of industrialists, and celebrities, indulged themselves by stomping on the grapes and never mind if a few dozen Gucci, Prada, and other designer creations had to be discarded after the session.

Fisherman's Wharf, the spectacular venue developed on the banks of the Mulshi lake, then witnessed a day-long event where guests were treated to a variety of wines from Chateau Indage, Australia, France, Germany and Chile, among others at wine pavilions that were sprinkled across the sprawling venue.

Designer cuisine, a live performance by crooner Anaida, tarot card reading, body painting and portraits paintings added to the spirit of the day-long celebration. And for those looking for more out of their day, there was a special counter that conjured up exotic wine cocktails, bewitching Sangrias and even wine golas to keep the scorching summer heat at bay.

"As the country's largest wine producer we have been hosting wine festivals like these to promote wine culture in India, basically with a view to dispel the myth that wine drinking is part of an elitist lifestyle," said Ranjit Chougule, Director.