September's Slate of Foodie Days

First observed in 2010, International Grenache Day brings to light the finer points of the grenache grape and the wine varieties that're made from it.

- By: Yasunari Ramon Suarez Taguchi

Formalized by the Grenache Symposium, the day is observed on the first Friday of September - which falls on September 5 this year.

Experts note that the "Garnacha" is a type of grape that was initially grown in Spain. Its varieties the Red Garnacha and Garnacha Blanca - was used to make varieties of wine, and the hardy constitution of the grape variety has compelled many to grow it outside of Spain.

Characterized by a sweet taste with slightly spicy notes, Grenache wines are widely-branded as a good choice for first time wine drinkers.

At times referred to as “somosa” or “somuhca”, samosas are a type of triangle-shaped pastry that’s filled with onions, potatoes, peas, and other ingredients.

Generally served as appetizers, it is popular in India, South Africa and in certain areas in the Middle East, and the word “samosa” is thought to be derived from the Persian word “sanbosag”, which means “triangular pastry”.

The first recorded mention of the dish is in a 10th-century Arabic cookbook, where it is called “samosa”. During the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) in India, the dish became widely popular, so much so that it has now become an integral component in Indian cuisine.