Matthieu teaching the class how to properly appreciate wine
Our next stop was the Tasting Room, where even more varieties of wine were set up for us. I felt a mixture of giddiness and fear: giddy because I felt like a kid in a candy store and afraid because how can I finish all those? I haven’t had a drink in months so I was afraid I’d get drunk fast, but if there’s one place to get sloshed, it was only at Sofitel.
One of the many wines we tried at Tasting Room
By the end of the Tasting Room, some of us felt a little woozy, this writer included
It was only at Sofitel’s Wine Days that I got to appreciate the layered nuances of wine. I drink wine whenever I’m out with my family, but if you’re not a winehead, you won’t notice the complexities and notes until someone explains it to you. I’ve read all about the honey, fruit, citrus, and cherry notes, but I only got to experience them under Matthieu and Tanguy.
Matthieu also taught us the proper way of drinking wine. Start by swirling the wine in the glass to open the flavor. Smell the wine (and don’t be afraid to get your nose right in the glass). Let it swirl in your mouth for a bit, and let it roll over your tongue. And then you swallow. In the past, I only tasted it for a bit before swallowing, instead of letting it linger in my mouth. You get a better understanding of the wine’s flavor, and be able to identify the bouquet that is now spreading in your mouth. It’s heaven.
Woodbridge’s sweet wine is popular among Filipino diners
Out of the wines that we tried, one of my favorites was Woodbridge, a California rose wine. Rose wine is the middle ground of white and red wine, when the skin of the grapes are removed while it is fermenting. As a result, the wine is pinkish in color and not completely red like in red wine. The Woodbridge White Zinfandel is a bit sweeter than your regular wine, with a strong hint of butter in the citrus and red fruit flavors, and I like how it’s different from what I usually drink. It’s an unusual blend that’s perfect for warm afternoons, with spicy Cajun dishes or aged cheeses.
Cheeses also have distinct flavors and pairings with wine
One of my favorite wines, a honey flavored doux
We capped off Wine Days at the Spiral reception, where we tried even more wines, this time with cheeses. The wine that stood out for me in this area was a doux wine that tasted strongly of honey. As you can see, I was partial to the sweet wines, which Matthieu confirmed as a cultural thing. According to him, Woodbridge’s White Zinfandel is one of the most requested wines for Filipino diners.
We tried the wines with a variety of cheeses, and I was amazed at how some wines complemented the cheeses, bringing out flavors that you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t pairing it. Of course, it helped that we had two experts guiding us to what we should look for when tasting it.
Where else but Sofitel can you find a dispenser that serves wine?
After our capsule tour of France’s winemaking regions, we ended the night with a great buffet at Spiral. Because I was overwhelmed with the volume and variety of wine that I consumed, I can’t remember all the ones that I’ve tried. But the most important thing is I have a renewed appreciation for wine, and I know how to drink it. I think that deserves a bottle of Champagne?
To celebrate Wine Days 2014, Sofitel has lined up an exciting array of activities until the end of the month. There will be private wine and cheese classes every day of this week, with wines from a certain region for each day. On October 29, there will be an evening of wine and jazz featuring a fusion of French and Austrian cuisine and entertainment. On October 30, there will be a wine and cheese buffet at Le Bar, with special tastings of wines from different regions, as presented by experts born and raised in those regions. On October 31, there will be a five-course dinner at Le Bar, featuring some of the world’s best Burgundy wines. And until the end of the month, Spiral will offer French wines and Champagnes at a special price.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Website | www.sofitelmanila.com
Facebook | Sofitelmanila
Twitter | @sofitelmanila
Address |Â CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Metro Manila
Contact Number | (632) 832.6988Â
Email Address | h6308-fb12@sofitel.com
Sofitel Manila Holds Wine Days 2014, a Tour of France’s Winemaking Regions
