By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: From well fermented ginger, mulberry fruit to strawberry, litchi and passion fruit, the 10th Shillong Wine Festival displayed it all, attracting many wine lovers of the city and its suburbs to sample various home-made wines.
Organised by the Forever Young Club at Crinoline Swimming Pool here on Saturday, the wine festival witnessed an array of the finest quality of wines locally brewed from different variety of fruits which are abundantly found in most part of the state.
Even as wine making is still to be legalized in the state, yet, the wine festival is celebrated every winter in the city while keeping intact the actual spirit of this unique celebration which involves promoting a wine culture with tourism.
“With a decline in local wine making in the state, I think, the government should legalize the local wine production which in turn will generate employment and substantial income and encourage local entrepreneurship,” observed a young wine maker.
Several home-brewers from all over the state participated in the festival giving wine enthusiasts a unique opportunity to get a taste of some sensual wine varieties including some interesting ones made from well fermented blackberry, plum, banana, jackfruit and even cashew apple.
The organizers of the festival were hoping that the annual event could help generate a wine culture in the region and help locals take to winemaking on a commercial scale as the northeast is home to a large variety of exotic fruits.
Meanwhile, Matilda Mary Sawkmie who showed an interest in wine making ever since she retired as a state deputy secretary said, “I have been making wine based on locally grown strawberry, pineapple and ‘sohiong’ just to remain active in life.”
The response has been overwhelming with the locals jostling to buy their drinks with live rock bands adding to the carnival spirit.
