Can you tell the vintage of a wine by tasting it?Paolo Basso – Wine Ambassador Kempinski Hotels answers this and more at the World Gourmet Summit at its flagship Hotel in India

Are you confident picking wine at a restaurant? Do you know what grapes makes Moet et Chandon Brut Rose? Can you tell the vintage of a wine by tasting it? Can you tell the country it belongs to and the grape variety by just tasting it? How about French wine? Do you know your claret from your Beaujolais?

Can you tell Shiraz when you taste it? If not, then you are not alone, for this is how the Master Class by Paola Basso started at Kempinski Hotels flagship Indian property, Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi at it’s World Gourmet Summit focused on worldwide trends and their implications on regional culinary arts, as well as food and beverage innovations ; saw more than 140 food and beverage executives plus corporate executives from Kempinski properties across the globe

Anyways coming back to the class apart from guessing the Champagne related questions ( This is owing to visiting Champagne twice...so I better know the basics), I am sure I flunked in answering most of the questions. Paolo Basso – Wine Ambassador Kempinski Hotels is arguably one of the greatest wine professionals and is the Sommelier‘s Sommelier; is also winner of the ‘Best Sommelier of the World’ title in 2013, is world renowned for his extraordinary palate and experience in the field of fine and rare wines.

It was an enrichening class and both my daughter Akanksha Dean ( First Year Culinary Arts Student at IHM Aurangabad by Taj) and me were extremely thrilled to learn the nuances of wine tasting and also that it is not tough to achieve anything if you are focused, dedicated and honest with your profession. Post the class we tasted an exceptionally amazing dinner cooked in Various courses by the speciality chefs across Kempinski Hotels and we had the pleasure of delightful company on our table including my friend Puneet , General Manager of the hosting Hotel... A proud moment for a Hotel in India to be hosting this event. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Basso is one of only five sommeliers in the world to have won both the European and global titles for ‘Best Sommelier’ and among the rare few sommeliers to have reached the final level of an international competition eight times. He won the title of best Sommelier of Switzerland in 1997, of best Sommelier of Europe in 2010, and of world champion in 2013. In 2014, the Grand Cru Committee of Italy, the most prestigious wine producers association in the country, crowned him ‘Sommelier of the Year’.

A MAGICAL RETREAT

LLANGOED HALL,WALES

A MAGICAL RETREAT

A blend of Renaissance splendour and contemporary élan, this palatial marvel caters to the beau monde from around the globe.

LOCATION

Ever wanted to live like royalty? Nestled in the stunning Wyve Valley amidst seventeen acres of Garden and parkland in the heart of Wales, formally known as Llangoed Castle, this beautiful retreat offers the splendour of a traditional Country House design and the luxury of a world class hotel. From my arrival in the sweeping driveway, until the Jacobean Manor house I was swept into another world.

ROOMS & SUITES

The hotel offers 29 rooms and suites which are appointed with classical elegance, to provide exceptional comfort. Each room has been thoughtfully designed and has its own character to provide guests with a calm, intimate retreat right in the centre of one of the world’s most exciting Valley’s. Fine fabrics, textures and colours, gorgeously designed furniture, linen and fragrances replete the ultimate lifestyle experience. In the tranquil surroundings of my four poster bedroom, a rich colour palette contrasted with the cool creams of the living area and lighting was subdued, giving my rooms a warm, seductive and relaxing atmosphere at night. My bathroom was spacious with a cast iron bath, luxurious toiletries and fluffy towels. The best part is that there is no Tea/Coffee making facility in the room, but one can call for it as and when one wants and hey presto, it comes on a tray in perfect style with house made cookies. And yes one can also benefit from free wireless connection throughout the hotel, but in a place like this who wants to be connected with the outside world... Not me!!!

WELSH DELIGHTS

A sweeping marble staircase took me graciously towards the various eating options of the Hotel. For breakfast my favourite venue was the ‘The Dining Room’ with a garden view. The buffet ran the gamut from Prosciutto di Parma, Ham and tomato omelettes to the best Bircher muesli this side of the Matterhorn. This also couldn’t have been a more peaceful retreat than for an evening drink or champagne whose inviting garden provided me with a sort of tranquillity within the heart of the city, yet away from its hustle and bustle. ‘The Whistler Restaurant’ taking its name from the original collection of Whistler drawings is renowned for its unique cuisine that is both authentic and innovative. As for me I gorged on the ‘Radnorshire Lamb’ and ‘Foie gras’, which was decadent to the core. The food is a perfect alliance between a cuisine that is light and traditional, or inventive and refined. And if you are looking for a celebration or a larger event of some sort, then the ‘Orangery room’ it is!

STAFF AND SERVICE

The Hotel offers a uniquely British kind of luxury hotel service. Aware that guests at the world’s grand hotels not only expect exquisite and impeccable service, Llangoed Hall has created an exceptional cultural identity. I felt like a ‘queen’ as I experienced such luxurious hospitality, Friendliness, discretion and attention to detail.

FAST FACTS

Is: 21st Century luxury with a uniquely Country house flair.

Best Way to Reach: By air 63 miles from Cardiff Airport and just less than two hours from Bristol International Airport; Heli-pad on site. By Rail it is three from Cardiff Central to Builth road station, 12 miles from Builth Road station and 24 miles from Abergavenny station.

Where: Llangoed Hall, Llyswen, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0YP, Wales, U.K.

Tel: + 44 (0) 1874 754525

Email: info@llangoedhall.co.uk

Website: www.llangoedhall.co.uk

Price: Minimum £150/ INR 12,000 (Double Room) to maximum £500 /INR 40,000 (Master suite) per night with Breakfast.

USP Facility: An exceptional venue for one’s wedding, and on offer is also civil partnership ceremonies. The experienced and friendly staff also helps co-ordinate your plans, recommend excellent suppliers and assists with all sorts of queries.

Must know: Make your stay even more exhilarating with a classic car from the Van Essen fleet, including Asian Martins, Ferraris, Range Rovers and Bentleys…

Did you know? According to the late Sir Clough William Ellis, the celebrated Welsh Architect, there appears to have been a house on this site since 560 AD. It is said that the first Welsh Parliament was held here.

RUPALI DEAN

Published in Food & Wine Magazine