Do you believe in coincidences?
I certainly do. In fact, I often feel that coincidences are the universe’s subtle way of talking with us, revealing stories that were waiting to be discovered.
While planning our upcoming Wineglitz India wine dinner on 18th July, one such coincidence emerged—and it was too beautiful not to share.
The chosen venue for the evening is The Maharaja Table at The Imperial, New Delhi. Both the venue and the iconic hotel evoke images of Indian royalty, grandeur and a bygone era of elegance. It seemed like the perfect setting for an evening of fine wine and conversation.
As I began researching our main course wine, Pagodes de Cos from Saint-Estèphe in Bordeaux, I stumbled upon an extraordinary connection.
The estate’s founder, Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel, was fascinated by India and the Orient. During the nineteenth century, he successfully exported his wines to India and developed a deep admiration for the culture, architecture and artistic traditions of the East. So profound was this fascination that he transformed his Bordeaux estate into a tribute to it.
Visitors arriving at Cos d’Estournel today are greeted by monumental gates inspired by oriental architecture, exotic decorative elements and the famous pagoda-style structures that have become the estate’s defining symbol. Throughout the property, one also encounters the celebrated elephant motifs that have become synonymous with the château.
In fact, Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel became so closely associated with this eastern inspiration that he earned the nickname “The Maharaja of Saint-Estèphe.” It is a title that perfectly captures both his flamboyant personality and his enduring fascination with India.
Even the name of our featured wine—Le Pagodes de Cos—draws inspiration from these iconic pagoda structures that overlook the château and have become one of the most recognisable symbols in Bordeaux.
Perhaps the coincidence was destined from the very beginning: our dinner is hosted at The Maharaja Table, featuring a wine created by the man Bordeaux remembers as ‘The Maharaja of Saint-Estèphe, from his estate adorned with pagodas and elephants inspired by India.
Thousands of kilometres separate Bordeaux from Delhi. Centuries separate Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel from today’s wine lovers. Yet somehow, through history, architecture, symbolism and wine, these worlds meet again around a single dining table.
Coincidence?
Perhaps.
But it certainly feels like a beautiful one.
