Wine and Haute Cuisine festival in Goa

Panaji, May 9: Goa is all geared up to satiate wine lovers with a three-day extravaganza 'wine and haute cuisine festival' christened as 'The Grape Escapade' beginning from May 12, besides helping promote tourism in the state.

''Get set to sip the finest wine and relish exotic dishes while you groove to the rhythm of live music at Inox Multiplex courtyard,'' Goa Tourism Development Corporation Chairperson Fatima De Sa said here yesterday.

''The festival promises to be a unique cultural experience as it brings together international wine makers and local brewers, patrons, hotelliers, restaurants and professionals from the entertainment and fashion world under one umbrella,'' she added.

The objective behind this fiesta of flavours, being organised for the second consecutive year, is to encapsulate the vivacity of the Goan lifestyle highlighting the multi-cultural influences and artistic passions to brand the state as a ''lifestyle destination,'' she said.

To set the tone and ambience for the event, the organisers have got Goa's Fransisco Martins to erect an European village setting in the background of Inox Multiplex.

It was at this place that the last two international film festivals of India were held and films screened in the 4-screen Inox Multiplex.

To be inaugurated by Governor S C Jamir, the festival will feature food courts presenting culinary delights from across the globe, international fusion cuisine, wine tasting sessions by winers and exotic deserts. Six noted winers, two each from Goa and Pune and one each from Nashik and Bangalore will display their exotic products for wine tasters even as the five 5-star hotels from the island state serve their delicacies as accompaniment for wine.

The event does not end with wine and food alone. Well known bands including Goa's Oliver Sean would enthral the audience.

Apart from top Goa's brands Alcaterz, Shanti, Lace, Purple Rain, Second Skin and Spice Garden, dance performances by Russian Balerinas, Jason and Silviya, besides a fashion show by Frankfin has been organised. Not only this, local professional spot singers would captivate the audience's hearts.

Goa Tourism director Sandip J Jacques says the wine festival is synonimous with friendship, health and success with the blend of East and the West. ''One can even learn the ways of making wine at home with fruits.'' Ms Fatima feels wine is a health promoter with low alcoholic content and does not think this festival goes against the spirit of the recent Supreme Court verdict asking the state to reduce consumption of liquor in the country to prevent health hazards.

When asked wheter Governor would be the first to taste wine after inauguration, she replied, ''It is a health drink. Any one can come here and taste the wine for his health.'' The GTDC, with its cash profit of Rs 1.5 crore from the year 2005-06, plans to spend about Rs 5.5 crore for the event, most of which will come in the form of sponsorhip.

The wine and haute cuisine festival will be held anually to promote tourism.

There are about 14 wine distillers in Goa and this is the only place in the world that brews exclusive brand of liquor 'Feni' by using cashew apple during summer season.

UNI