Goan’ wining and dining
I love my wine. And on holiday, a good bottle of wine on an evening does seem de rigueur. Though while holidaying in Goa, this has hitherto been something of a challenge. Yes, wine has been available, but not at every restaurant and often the selection is limited. I usually have to carry a couple of bottles with me in my bags. The imported wines available here are usually entry-level or quick-moving brands (read cheaper). While several of them are quite drinkable, things tend to get a little ho-hum at times.
On a recent break in Goa, however, I decided to go with the flow and seek out and be happy with what is available. Of course, this has its limitations. Many Goan food restaurants, in deference to their spicy curries – recheado and cafreal masalas included – tend not to offer a wine list at all. Beer would work better in such cases, and it is often wise not to stray from this dictum. If there is any wine, it is usually the cloyingly sweet, cheap and cheerful ‘port’ wine that Goa has been hitherto known for. But today, the holiday state has a growing number of quality food-focused standalone restaurants serving European and milder Asian cuisines, and this is where a spot of experimenting with beverages does not seem amiss.
This January, I made some pleasant discoveries, many of them centred around the fast-improving range of Indian brands that are now making their presence felt. I must confess, this did give me a warm glow – it always feels good when you can find a good food match with Indian wines – and happily there’s more to choose from every day.
Cavala, the nightspot in Baga which is overrun with customers on weekends because of its excellent choice of bands playing foot-tapping retro music, is known primarily for its happy vibe and cocktails. But wine lovers have a workable, if limited choice of wines to pick from. I opted for the ubiquitious Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay, which went well with the fresh fish, crab and calamari we ordered. The music, by popular Goan band Tidal Wave, added to the party atmosphere. Score one.
Another evening at the very popular Japanese restaurant, Sakana in Chapora, we tried out a variety of sushi – from California rolls to spicy ebi and smoked salmon, followed up by beef gyoza, wakame and tofu salad and beef udon noodles. I decided to order a bottle of Sula Sauvignon Blanc (Rs 1100), a very popular Indian white wine (because of its balance and lately, consistency), and it worked very well indeed. Score two. (more…)