The annual Grand Wine Experience is on its 9th and ‘biggest’ outing yet

Good grapes!

By Dinah S. Ventura

11/09/2009

On its ninth year of promoting wines in the Philippines and Asia, the Grand Wine Experience aims to give wine lovers, enthusiasts and the curious a taste of over 500 varieties in one night!

The Josephs of Ralph’s Wines & Spirits announced recently that they are “taking it a notch higher with the best wines and spirits from the planet’s top vineyards and distilleries.”

Ronnie, Raymond and Robi Joseph, later joined by Ralph himself, revealed to some members of the press recently that “over 500 wines and spirits from 20 countries such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Russia and the United States” will be “perfectly matched with gastronomic fare, compliments of the chefs of New World Hotel” on Nov. 20, Friday.

Wines start pouring at 6 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Makati City hotel. For just P3,500, one will have what the Josephs guarantee as the “grandest wine experience” one could ever have this side of the world.

“The event just gets bigger and bigger in terms of better wine. We change the lineup (of wines) as much as possible so people will have a lot to talk about,” reveals Ronald Lim Joseph, or Ronnie, adding that they have removed table wines and country wines from the lineup.

Over seared tuna with salad Nicoise paired with the light and refreshing Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2008, and award-winning white wine from New Zealand, the Josephs regaled “Grand Wine virgins” with fun stories of the yearly event. “It’s not like the usual wine dinners where you usually match a wine with a dish. Here it’s like a sensory playground. For you to experience what’s good, you also have to taste a bad combination,” says Raymond.

Stressing that the event’s ultimate goal is to educate the market rather than cull a profit, Raymond states that this year, they are “trying to bring back the Old World wines” or labels from Europe’s France and Italy. “Filipino consumers have developed a taste for New World wines, or those wines from Australia, Chile, for example. It’s a cycle, and we feel that now is a good time to reintroduce the French and Italians. The market is beginning to mature. We’re straying away from table wines and looking for variety,” he says.

When the main dish is served — grilled marinated beef tenderloin bacon and onion rosti, sautéed green beans, oven-roasted tomato and thyme garlic jus — the Josephs gave their guests a taste of Wine 101.

They urged everyone to take sips of the award-winning Fox Creek Red Baron Shiraz 2007 and the popular Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2007 with each bite of the beef dish and try to notice the differences in taste.

The Shiraz had a deeper color, fuller scent and more robust taste, while the Pinot Noir was ruby red, with a silky and elegant texture and a refreshing edge rather than the more tannic one of the Shiraz.

“Globally, the wine lifestyle has grown. We are seeing a growing sophistication in wine consumers. Here, we have lots of chefs advocating wine pairings, but there is still a lot of room for wine knowledge,” adds Ronnie. “What we continue to do by educating is make it a lifestyle. Eventually, we want to see how the wines can truly fare with Filipino cuisine. Right now we are merely scratching the surface. It’s a challenge.”

Robi, for his part, exemplifies a growing segment for wine in the Philippines. The younger market is fast developing a taste for wines as part of the dining experience. “It’s not about indulging in alcohol, but learning to appreciate the finer points of a meal — the flavors and textures, and how wines can enhance the taste of food. Learning to appreciate wines makes you more sensitive to the experience of dining,” he describes.

The Grand Wine Experience 2009 is co-presented by Philippine Wine Merchants and Ralph’s Wines & Spirits, in cooperation with Beam Global Spirits & Wine, New World Hotel Makati City, Bestworld Beverage Brands Inc., Future Trade International, Fly Ace Corp., Rustan’s, Shopwise Super Center, Stores Specialists Inc., Starbucks Coffee, Philippine Air Lines, Air Philippines, Philippine Star, Team Philippines, the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority.

For registration and details about the event, call 853-1698, 853-0940, 824-5954 or e-mail pwmsales@compass.com.ph.

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006