I’m a Single Malt woman, the older the better. With age, all things old fashioned always tastes, feels and wears much better. Like fashion, making a comeback with the 60s hipsters and 80s mama jeans. Or Punk-Rock recently seen at the Lakme Fashion Week by Asa Kazingmei. Some of the wardrobe hand-me-down you will pass on to your children who are already eyeing your thigh high military print boots anyway.
So, when the exclusive Women Only invitation arrived courtesy Rajesh Israni of Aspri Spirits, I locked the date down. This had to be interesting, and it was.
True to its reputation, Olive Bar & Kitchen (have your seen the cute chef who also cooks like a dream?) rolled out well laid tables and proper candlelight to throw an intimate setting for 20 Women Only Influencers, most of whom I met for the first time. Best of all, was each personalised menu with your name written on it, placed for your sit down soiree. Likewise, my companions for the evening with theirs too. If anything, the long table of 20 energetic , confident women of all age groups and background making for great visual imagery of female empowerment, which got my vote.
Scene set, Andrea Freeborough, Cellar Master of Nederburg Wines, introduced the grande dame of the evening: A selection Nederburg wines paired with a specially curated meal that teased the palate and celebrated the pairing of flavours. My meal was a journey of great conversation and some good old fashioned women bonding over food.
Nederburg introduced three wines for the evening: The 2016 Nederberg The Winemasters Sauvignon Blanc (paired with Pre-Appetizers), the 2015 Nederberg The Winemasters Shiraz (paired with Appetizers), and the 2015 Nederberg The Winemasters Pinotage (paired with Mains).
My hits of the evening: Smoked Pork and Plums that were perfectly complimented with the 2015 Nederberg The Winemasters Shiraz (aromas of ripe plum, berries, oak new leather with a hint of cigar box. Rich and full-bodied with ripe plums, new leather and good tannic structure), the Orange Creme brulee with Citrus Mousse that totally cleansed the mouth, setting you up for the Water chocolate ganache truffles with apricots kernel pannacotta.
As the evening wound down, new friends met some of whom skilled professionals in food, wine, music, travel entrepreneurs, and numbers exchanged, I’m hoping to see more women centric evenings that make women holistically inclusive not just great to look at, but greater to empower, learn, share and grow in strength, information and business.
Thank you Rajesh and Sweta Mohanty for being good hosts. Here’s to more.
#Nederberg #wines #AspriSpirits #Olive #food #wine #lifestyle #Mumbai #EthelDaCosta
