Local winemakers to showcase talent at The Grape Escapade!

Local winemakers to showcase talent at The Grape Escapade!

PANJIM, JAN 16, 2009

Promising not to make its annual wine and cuisine festival, The Grape Escapade 2009, a platform only for commercial wine makers, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd on Friday committed to an apt platform for lesser-known local wine makers.
Addressing a press conference, Vice Chairman of GTDC Lyndon Monteiro, said they would personally invite local winemakers to the festival so that they could showcase their talent before visiting tourists and other guests.
Maintaining that the festival was a crowd-puller, Monteiro said a separate infrastructure would be created for local winemakers at the Old GMC courtyard where the festival would be held from February 5 to 8.
Answering a question on the status of Geographical Indication for feni, Monteiro said, “The Department of Science and Technology is looking after that, but to promote the local brew we are planning to have a summer escapade festival to showcase local talent.”
Chairman GTDC Shyam Satardekar said leading winemakers would participate in the 5th edition of the Grape Escapade and some of these had already confirmed their participation.
New Managing Director of GTDC Dr Benjamin Braganza said that wine was the soul mate of food and the objective was to promote Goa as a lifestyle destination brand.
Dr Braganza said it needed to be understood that having wine festival doesn’t promote Goa in a bad vain, but helps in highlighting her multi-cultural influences and artistic passions.
General Manager Marketing GTDC L C Kavlekar was also present.
GTDC has contacted leading wineries like Bohemia Wine, 4 Season Wine, Chateau Indage, Sula Vineyards, Big Banyan, Howling Wolves and Seagrams Nine Hills Wine, which are expected to participate in the festival.
There will be exclusive wine-tasting sessions conducted on all four days between 7.30 pm and 8.15 pm for invitees only.
Other than local winemakers who would make their first appearance at the festival, this year selection of The Grape Escapade Queen 2009 would be also an added highlight coupled with fashion show by Goa’s well-known designer Monty Sally.

courtesy: www.oheraldo.in