Headlines § e-mail § Publisher details § rates & data Est. 1996 Issue 150 August 2009 Indian Wines Prove a New Draw for Visitors As First Food & Wine Tour is Launched     Indian Odyssey launches the first food and wine tour exploring southern India's vineyards and culinary heritage - hosted by celebrity chef Atul Kochhar Award winning wines from the South of India are attracting growing interest according to specialist tour operator Indian Odyssey, which has introduced the first dedicated food and wine tour for UK travellers hosted by Michelin star celebrity chef Atul Kochhar. Vineyards such as Grover Vineyards and Big Banyan Wines are building a growing reputation for the quality of their wines, with their labels now found in some of the top restaurants around the World. Founded by Kanwal Grover in 1988, the Grover Vineyard lies in the Nandi Hills in the state of Karnataka and has three generations of the family behind it, together with the expertise of Michel Rolland, one of the world's foremost wine consultants. The result is a range of wines from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, all grown in the temperate microclimate of the region, with the vine-growing season here the longest in India.     Big Banyan Wines is another established vineyard, creating elegant wines with Shiraz, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in reds and Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes in whites. Lucio Matricardi is Big Banyan's wine consultant, while also consulting for the Talamonti Winery in Abbruzzo, the University of Milan, and the revered V.I.N.E.A. Association. Rakhi Bansal of Indian Odyssey says: "Indian wine is gaining a growing reputation around the World for its depth and quality. This, together with the range and flavours of Indian food, are attracting many more visitors to the country for the culinary experiences on offer. "Over the past couple of years we have had a growing number of enquiries for dedicated food and wine tours to India, particularly to the south of the country. While people have been visiting France and Italy for culinary holidays for many years, India is a new destination for many and the launch of our food and wine tour, led by Michelin star chef Atul Kochhar, will offer a very special experience combining incredible flavours with the sites and scenery of this fantastic country." Atul Kochhar is renowned for his fusion style of cooking, and has appeared on Saturday Kitchen and The Great British Menu. His Michelin starred Benares Restaurant and Bar in Mayfair has a wide following, and he will be sharing the secrets of Indian cookery with guests on Indian Odyssey's new tour. Departing on 12 February 2010, the 15-day Spice Trail of Southern India starts from Bangalore, before travelling to Cochin, Alleppey, the Keralan waterways, Kumarakom, Periyar, and Munnar, visiting both the Grover Vineyard and Big Banyan Wines. The tour costs £3680 per person, including return flights from London, internal flights and travel, accommodation in luxury boutique/heritage hotels, most meals, cookery classes with Atul Kochhar and wine tasting. Guests can also choose to extend their stay with a beach break in Goa or Kerala; a trip to Nepal or Bhutan, or a wildlife stay. Indian Odyssey specialises in the Indian subcontinent, and offers a range of handpicked hotels, tailor made journeys, private tours and special interest holidays. In addition to India, it also offers travel experiences to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, China, the Maldives and Dubai. For more information on food and wine tours visit www.indianodyssey.co.uk or call 08454 300 107 to speak to an expert on India.   top

Headlines § e-mail § Publisher details   Mood Food is published by FSR, London, England © 2009 Editor: Peter J. Grove Editorial office: PO Box 416 Surbiton, Surrey, England, KT1 9BJ Tel: 020 8399 4831 email: GroveInt@aol.com