Indian Food has such complex flavours and tastes, that pairing a good wine can be quite a challenge.
Everyone knows the old rule of pairing meat with red wine and fish with white wine. Not only is this rule being challenged daily, but it also doesn’t even remotely cover the wide of range of cuisines we cook and eat nowadays.
As with most meals, the right wine can elevate your meal. But the complexity of flavours — spicy, sweet, salty — and layering of flavours in an Indian dish makes food and wine pairing even more challenging. It’s certainly not impossible; however, if you are a wine lover, get ready for a treat at Jeera restaurant where selected blends are paired with delectable Indian cuisine.
Jeera is privileged to host the inimitable Katinka van Niekerk – a passionate foodie and esteemed consultant to chefs and winemakers. Katinka’s interest in food and wine pairing began when as a diplomat’s wife. Formal dinners often ended with chocolate mousse, the fashionable dessert of the day, accompanied by champagne. She found this combination jarring, as the sweetness of the dessert ruined every subtle nuance of the champagne. When challenging this pairing, she was gently told to follow convention. But she didn’t, her taste buds remained unconvinced, and this experience turned into a passion for discovering what works and what does not work when it comes to pairing food and wine!
Van Niekerk, who is also the author of the Food & Wine pairing guide will be sampling the delights at Jeera Restaurant on Monday 21st of July, where she will recommend some of South Africa’s top wines, perfectly matched with authentically Durban Indian dishes.
I’m excited about the evening, it’s an adventure for me to be able to take guests through the journey of experiencing new pleasures of food & wine. – Kantinka
The Jeera restaurant menu will be showcased as Van Niekerk reveals to guests how to best pair their favourite authentic Indian dishes with wine. “The Indian cuisine and wine topic has been misconceived for a long time and I will unpack the simple secrets to this combination” she said.
Adrian Penny, GM at Suncoast Hotel & Towers said “We always want to add value for our guests and what better way than to empower them with food & wine pairing skills of a different kind.”
The exclusive and intimate evening will be both enjoyable and educational as Van Niekerk expands upon why certain wines pair well with certain foods (and why some don’t!)
Directions to Jeera Restaurant
20 Battery Beach Road
Suncoast Towers
Durban
Kwazulu-Natal
031 314 7878
