Magandeep Singh: Agents of Goodness

Normally, when representatives of various countries, aka envoys, are stationed in a foreign land, they have a fixed agenda: to be a spokesperson for their country, build relationships, promote businesses, create awareness, and assist overall in the prevalence of general harmony and goodwill between the two countries.

We see them in formal meetings with the ministers of our country, heading important initiatives with industry bodies. And then in spite of such hectic schedules, some of them find time to engage the local public. Every embassy hosts a gala of events circling around food and drink and general mirth. The celebrations of the French and the Australian embassies are absolute crowd-pullers every time. But then, among the sacred brethren of ‘Excellencies’, there are a few who deviate from the norm, take the more-casual less-tried path, and build bridges into peoples’ hearts.

My first interaction with the ambassador of Argentina was shockingly casual. As Señor  Ernesto Alvarez sauntered around his office, he offered me a Coke, and when I acquiesced, he served it out of the fridge himself. No protocols, no bellboys-in-waiting, just straight up homely hospitality. From that point on, I have met him in the most relaxed of dispositions, even at the most formal of settings, and he has always been the one to lighten the mood. He fights a tough battle for Argentinean wine and food and in spite of the taxes and legal objections, he remains relentless.

Chile has always had a major presence in India and their ambassadors have set a series of examples as to how to organise wine events. From large scale tastings to small dinners, from previews to exhibitions, they are in the fore front when it comes to promoting local food and drink.

And then, on a very informal note, I happened to be invited to the residence of the Mexican ambassador, Jaime Nualart, and I was greeted with genuine warmth and love, not to mention, an array of Mexican wines, and also one of the most impressive art collections I have ever seen. Since then, I have also spent an afternoon being educated in Tequila and how shooting it is the worst way to enjoy it. The vibrancy and vivaciousness of Senor Nualart’s attitude towards the beverages of his country, as also his sense of style and his acumen to know what makes a good party mix, make him best-suited to speak with authority on the subject.

Finally, one of the most surreal connections I made this year was when earlier on in the year I wrote about a particular Port wine and shortly found an email from the just-landed ambassador of Portugal, who had been diligently following up on India before coming and had duly found the article. He expressed his happiness and promised to bring more of the ‘good stuff’. He has kept his word and we have witnessed some great wine launches, some super (-Bock) beer parties.

All in all, if the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach these people have found the shortest way into the Indian zone of affection. They may be ambassadors of great countries and have serious paper work to go through every morning, but what makes me respect them even more is that they make time to step in as ambassadors of the great gastronomic culture of their nations. And one more thing, at such soires most of the time, they don’t even necessary like the formality of the “Your Excellency” tag. If you can hear the national anthem playing somewhere, I am standing and saluting you all!

— Magandeep Singh is a sommelier