Butterflies on tree branches. A dark wood bar on wheels. A small water feature with soothing gurgle and sunlight streaming in through the roof that isn’t there. Welcome to the picture-perfect set-up that is Swissotel’s brand-new wine library — The Butterfly Wine Library. It’s green and serene, roomy yet intimate and brings out the romance.

Pout for a selfie, play with a rose or just sit quietly with someone you’ve been dying to whisper sweet-nothings to. It’s got the wine and the bough, all it needs is a ‘thou’. You can skip the book. 

Tucked away behind Cafe Swiss, in the open-air space where grills and barbecues had livened many a brunch, The Butterfly Wine Library stocks up on Jacob’s Creek wines. The reason behind this monogamy? “I wanted to be absolutely certain of consistency. I didn’t want to serve a wine that would be out of supply by the time a guest comes for a second visit,” says Swissotel general manager Marco Saxer. 

Open from 11am to 11pm, the wine library offers a delightful al fresco dining experience with a set five-course meal with plenty of choices, accompanied with five glasses of wine, all priced at Rs 3,000-plus per person. 

But be warned. “This is a pop-up,” says Marco. In other words, when the weather turns rough, the wine library goes into hiding. 

This pet project of Marco’s has taken two years to take off. “We need to educate people more about wine. Whisky and white spirits move fast and people, though open to wine, tend not to order it. We need to expose them to more,” he says. As for his own exposure to Indian wine, Marco’s preferences run to Nine Hills, the Sula Late Harvest Chenin Blanc and sparkling wines. But that is more and more a thing of the past as he tries to stay true to his resolve of not drinking anymore. “The problem is I don’t feel better, I don’t feel worse, I don’t feel any difference,” he rues. But of course, he made an exception the night he launched The Butterfly Wine Library.

So what’s the pour-and-serve story behind the library experience? An amuse bouche of Cherry Tomato and Olive Bruschetta Basil comes paired with Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Wine, while the hot and cold starters are served with Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay. Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay, Shiraz and Reserve Shiraz, as well as the Chardonnay, are poured for your choice of mains, which range from Tian of Courgette, Aubergine & Parmesan to Tenderloin Steak. The Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Wine makes a reappearance with the dessert. Sounds like a lot? Well, that’s precisely why this should be a leisurely experience. Take time and start sipping.

PS: If you’re going for a day date, do take lots of selfies and pictures to Instagram. The light is just right. 

Anindita Mitra

Pictures (except lead visual): 
Rashbehari Das