Rich wine and soulful music
There was a lot of wine to choose from at the Connoisseurs festival last weekend. PHOTO by Michael Kakumirizi
When my editor sent me an email to cover Kampala Lite’s Connoisseurs Festival, I hastily went to Google to find out what the festival is about and specifically what the “Connoiseurs” (the word I have since found difficulty to pronounce) means.
I later found out that a connoiseurs is “an expert judge in matters of taste”.
And that this was going to be the third time this festival was happening.
Many questions arose, what was I going to taste, some rare international cuisines or alcohol?
Finally, all these questions were answered when I attended this year’s Kampala Lite’s Connoisseurs Festival at Sheraton Gardens on Sunday.
A fundraiser of sorts for Kampala Music School to uphold Ugandan creative artistes who play instruments, it was a laidback afternoon coupled with soft, sophisticated music and fine wine tasting.
I was clueless, when I walked to the wine display area where companies; 49 Cheese and Wine, The Wine Garage, Prestige Wines, The Wine Garage, and Ambar International had their stalls.
Palate adventure
I was welcomed with a broad smile by one of the attendants. Honestly, I didn’t know any of the wines on display. “Hey, do you want red, dry or sweet wine?” she asked with a convincing British accent.
Her bright smile would lure a man to buy a bottle of wine and even let her “keep the change”. I opted to take up anything as long it was wine.
As I held the wine glass in a tilted position like a boss, she poured in wine as little as a sip. In just one sip, my glass was empty and dry. The sweet, fine and smooth feel made me crave for more.
But I couldn’t get another round unless I dug deep into my ravaged pockets to “cough” Shs28,000 for a whole bottle. Some families sun bathed, others lay under the shades while enjoying jazz and classical music.
Entertainment
There were performances by Sauti ya Afrika members Charles, George, Ben and Francis. Kampala Symphony Orchestra put up a good performance of a piece titled Nela Fantasia.
There is no doubt pianist Carmela Sinco from New York is talented.
Sinco, who was a guest performer at this event, played two pieces: Boda Boda and Rubaga Rain. Olivier Meganck one of the attendees commended the organisers for this annual event. “One of the best Sundays I have had in years. Great weather, great friends, wine and breathtaking music. It was awesome,” he complemented.
As for me, I am looking forward to the next event, and I will go as the chief taster.
