Tasting Fine Offerings From Ace Beveragez’s Portfolio

Drinks & Destinations was recently invited to a fine tasting of wines from the wine & spirits importing company Ace Beveragez’s portfolio at The Intercontinental, Marine Drive, Mumbai. The tasting conducted by wine consultant Ajit Balgi was a rare occasion showcasing some great wines available in the market currently.

The 10 wines that were tasted with some delectable snacks from the kitchen of the bar-Long & Short at Intercontinental were, Foss Marai Cardinal Treviso Extra Dry DOC Prosecco, Adet Seward Chablis (a great chablis priced at around Rs3500), Antares Sauvignon Blanc from Chile (high on acidity, priced at Rs 1500, the least impressive of the lot tasted that evening). A very interesting chardonnay called Argento, at Rs 2000, this is definitely a recommended wine), Carpineto Dogajolo Bianca IGT (a wine from the famous Tuscan wine producer Carpineto, great quality wine blend of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and grechetto in addition to the beautiful label. The surprise of the evening was Folonari Pinot Noir IGT, the wine from Veneto region in Italy is a value for money(Rs 2050) pinot noir with the expressions of a great french style wine. The South African Leopard’s Leap Look Out, a blend of Cab Sauv, shiraz, and cinsault at Rs 1860 was followed by Argento Malbec from Argentina. The wine decanted for some time expressed great aromatic characteristics of an Argentinean malbec. The end of the evening was reserved for the finest, Michele Chiarlo Barolo DOCG 2010 vintage which will be available in Mumbai in June. And Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, the 100% natural champagne may not be everyone’s champagne, but certainly is a fine drinking  champagne enjoyed in a flute or still wine glass.

Presenting the wines to the guests, Rikshit Parsan, Director Ace Beveragez said, “Wines have been confined to dinner times in Mumbai and this tasting is to break away from the mould and portray wine as an anytime drink given the varied styles of wine. We are glad we chose Long & Short for this evening and we would love to see patrons to socialize over high tea and wines or conduct their day end meetings and watch the sun go down with a glass of Champagne.”

The team at Long & Short did an excellent job of preparing and presenting the food keeping in mind the wine list. Executive chef Arzooman Irani said, “People associate a certain formal protocol when it comes to wine. They either drink it with a meal or open a bottle in the evening. We’re telling people that even late afternoon, surrounded by some nibbles, would be a great time to drink wine. With appetisers that best bring out the flavours of the wine, this is a quintessential Long & Short initiative; where it’s all about making wining and dining fun.”

The specially crafted menu by Executive Chef Arzooman Irani included Vietnamese rice paper roll, cheese tofu mash, micro herbs & pansy; smoke salmon mousse on arugula blinis, salmon roe & chives; honey garlic rosemary infused baked camembert, chili almond biscotti; Braised lamb chops, baby veggies, morels jus; Herb crusted sea bass. Chilly tamarind sauce, pumpkin mash; Beetroot Macaroons to name a few; paired perfectly with the assortment of wines.