New Delhi, May 20th 2014: It’s not every day that one would think that a staple lunch of aloo gobi could be washed down with a sweet and aromatic glass of Chenin Blanc or a Viognier. On the other hand, who would imagine quaffing wine such as full-bodied Chardonnay with perennial vegetarian snacks like samosas, channa bhatura, pao bhaji and ragda pattice?
‘Indian Food and Wine (Easy Guide to Pairing)’ by Michael Swamy launched in India by Seagram’s Nine Hills’ and Om Books International actually makes all this possible. It is the first book in the wine category in India that takes a holistic look at pairing of the flavours, textures and heat levels of Indian food, with wine. The launch function of this unique book was accompanied by a fabulous cooking demonstration by former VJ and food enthusiast Maria Goretti at Café Delhi Heights at Cyber Hub, Gurgaon. Chef Michael Swamy also conducted a demo of some of his famous recipes from the book which where Roast Chicken in Pickling Spices and Rocket Salad, followed by a sampling of a wine-paired menu put together by him. Foodies and wine lovers got a chance to cook the dishes as well as interact with the chef and Maria Goretti. The cooking demo was followed by the launch of the book. Swamy was accompanied by Pernod Ricard India’s Mr. Adrian Pinto, Om Books International’s Mr. Ajay Mago and Mr.Vikrant Batra from Café Delhi Heights. This launch marked the opening of the much – awaited Café Delhi Heights as well.
Nine Hills is a bouquet of award winning – exotic wines from Pernod Ricard India (formerly Seagram India) which has introduce the Indian consumer to a taste that is fresh yet mature, balanced yet full-bodied… the way the best international wines tastes.
This first-ever book by Seagram’s Nine Hills not only dispels all myths on wine and its suitability with Indian food but has also gone one step further by providing pairing alternatives with different cuisines across India. For instance, did you know that red wines are a natural foil for meat dishes, and you practically will not go wrong in choosing any full-bodied red wine to pair with a traditional mutton do pyaza or rogan josh? On the other hand, the hints of citrus in a Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc are perfect for sea food specials such as crispy pepper prawns and a fiery crab masala.
“This book is representative of our plans to engage, educate and enthral the Indian wine drinker in new ways. Seagram’s Nine Hills has always been known for its variety of quality and award-winning wines, and now it’s time to bring the experience to the consumer in their homes.” says Mr. Adrian Pinto, Senior Manager, Wines, Pernod Ricard India.
The book ‘Guide to Pairing Indian Food and Wine’ has been conceptualised and written by Michael Swamy and published by Om Books International, and is a one-stop guide to everything one needs to know about wine and food pairing. Doubling up as a handy crash-course on wine, the book demystifies the snobbery surrounding wine and tells one all about its tasting notes, how it is processed, and what varietals of wine work with what flavours in food. Chef Michael Swamy is a Food stylist, travel photographer and writer based in Mumbai. A graduate of the prestigious Cordon Bleu Culinary School, London, Michael has worked with several Michelin Chefs and then pursued his career in Food Styling and Photography – an art which he used effectively in changing the way people look at food. Michael comes with a plethora of experience which also includes being nominated as the Food Consultant for Master Chef India Season 1 & 2.
The highlight of the Book: The book offers an assortment of Indian as well as Continental food recipes put together by Swamy, along with a wine pairing suggestion for each recipe. Some of the delicacies on the list include Apricot Biryani, Pondicherry-styled Scallops, Clam Coconut Curry, and Shahi Tukda.
“I have tried pairing Indian food with wine for several years. And finally I seem to have cracked the code. This book allows me to share this knowledge and know-how with other wine enthusiasts and food lovers, by taking it a step further and using wine in cooking Indian food. I hope and feel that pairing Indian food with wine and including wine in recipes will definitely radically alter the dimensions of what we know as Modern Indian Cuisine and put Indian cuisine on the global culinary map.” says Chef Michael Swamy, Author of the book ‘Guide to Pairing Indian Food and Wine’.
Says Ajay Mago, Publisher, “With the world cuisine at one’s doorstep, people are keen to learn about the subtler art of wine tasting, wine-drinking, and wine pairing. Guide to Pairing Indian Food and Wine is a ready reckoner for the starter, as well as for those who never cease to experiment with food. And, as I found out in my home kitchen, the results are outstanding. What better way to go democratic with wine.”
About Nine Hills
Seagram’s Nine Hills wine gets its name from the nine hills surrounding Nashik where the company’s winery and the vineyards are located. The Nine Hills varietal range includes Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier & Shiraz Rose. Seagram’s Nine Hills is available in 8 varietals – 3 whites, a Shiraz Rosé, 2 reds and 2 reserve red wines. The range of whites includes 2 zesty whites (Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc) and a complex and aromatic Viognier which has recently been launched in some markets. The collection of soave reds includes Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the 2 Reserve wines which have been aged in oak – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Shiraz. Nine Hills wines have been appreciated by wine enthusiasts and professionals across the country. In fact in the very first Indian Wine Challenge (IWC-2007) held in 2007, Nine Hills Cabernet Sauvignon was adjudged “The best Indian Red Wine’ and the Shiraz was given awarded a ‘Seal of Approval’. This was followed up by Nine Hills being awarded the ‘Best White and Red Wines’ in the maiden Business Today wine Tasting Series where as many as 37 labels participated. Subsequently the Shiraz Rose’ was awarded a ‘Bronze Medal’ in the IWC -2008. In 2012, Nine Hills featured in Fine Wine and Champagne India magazine, where 5 varietals (Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz Rosé, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon) were sent in for a grand tasting of Indian wines. All of these wines featured in the list of ‘Best Indian wines 2012’, with the Cabernet Sauvignon making it to the ‘Top 10’ list. We sincerely believe this is only the beginning.
About Om Books International
Om Books International (OBI) has published amongst other genres, several cinema-related titles (under the imprint Spotlight): Still Reading Khan by Mushtaq Shiekh; Shah Rukh Can by Mushtaq Shiekh; Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam: The Original Screenplay compiled by Dinesh Raheja and Jitendra Kothari; The Original Screenplays of Lage Raho Munna Bhai and 3 Idiots; Bollywood in Posters by SMM Ausaja shortlisted for Vodafone Crossword Award 2010 for non-fiction; A.R Rahman: The Spirit of Music, an authorized biography by Nasreen Munni Kabir; Housefull by to name just a few.
OBI publishes popular and literary fiction including best-selling titles like The Kept Woman and Other Stories by Kamala Das, Delhi OMG! by Vinod Nair, The Company RED by Shantanu Dhar, Two Mothers and Other Stories by Khalid Mohamed, to name just a few.
OBI also publishes monographs on art and architecture, photo essays (the latest one being Mumbai, Where Dreams Don’t Die by Raghu Rai and Vir Sanghvi; Forts and Palaces of India by Amita Baig and Joginder Singh).
Om Books Other important categories that feature in OBI’s publishing list are Fashion and Lifestyle, Children’s books (under the imprint OmKidz), Mind, Body and Spirit books.
About Café Delhi Heights
Café Delhi Heights is a place that celebrates Delhi in the true sense. It’s easy, relaxed ambience with an eclectic mix of seating arrangements is synonymous to the life & culture in the city. From the humble bread pakoras to steaks, pastas to lamb shanks and laal maas, the menu is full of the city’s favourites. And now, with the world famous Juicy Lucy Burger, nearly 40,000 of which have been devoured; every recipe is given an interesting twist by the Chefs to create a unique experience.
Sharad and Vikrant Batra, the men behind Café Delhi heights, want this place to be an occasion to remember always. With its fourth outlet opening shortly at DLF Cyber Hub, the duos strive to take the magic of “Great food and good times” further.
