Wines are like people at a party

The night was young and the air was crisp. In the garden, the guests arrive and mingle. From a distance, slowly nursing a flute of never-ending Champagne, I observe the influx of people and their social dynamic.

A beautiful girl, with bright eyes and a rosy complexion — she’s nice and kind, not necessarily exciting or captivating but rather pleasant and agreeable, much like the accessorial characters in Victorian novels. She will never be the star but nonetheless finds her purpose as a necessary foil to an interesting plot.

He is tall, broad-shouldered, impeccably dressed but with so much precision it is almost caricature and smells of new money.  Affable enough, he neither rejects nor wholly accepts, as if still finding his place among society. Disarming in his familiarity and admirable in his assertion, he moves among the crowds aiming to please. He is one of those kinds you either love or hate with absolutely no ambiguity.

Over by the main table, in the center of the room, the daughter of the host holds court. She is one of society’s mainstays. Smartly dressed, well bred and utterly predictable. She willingly fills the mold created for her with enthusiasm. Friendly, easy and never too intense, she makes no enemies, has a multitude of acquaintances that ironically perceive her as a dear friend. She is one of those people who always finds her rightful place.

By her side is the ubiquitous, sought-after bachelor.  He has come of age, but his heart has not yet caught up. Well mannered, charming and just a little boyish. One of those all-arounders, jacks of all trades that can practically get away with murder with his smile and wit. Elegantly dressed with that touch of je ne sais quoi, that certain European disheveled-ness that is oh-so-chic. He is at ease with everyone just as the world is at ease with him.

And, as with every party, there are the persons of intrigue. As she crosses the archway and stands by the terrace, the room fills with muffled wonder: “Who is she?” “Where is she from?” “What is she like?” Straw-blond hair with that crisp northern quality, fine features with mischievous eyes and an intriguing effervescence. She is fresh and mysterious but her big, bright smile makes you feel like you’ve known her forever.  In an instant you feel that in her company the evening will be a joy.

An Australian pinot noir, an Australian Shiraz, a French single-variety sauvignon blanc, an easy Bordeaux, a young Austrian off-dry Veltliner. In my line of work, I am lucky to encounter so many wines. Not always armed with a notebook, or often finding myself in a pleasant state of inebriation, I can easily forget what I have drunk or where I drank it. Until I realized that, in fact, I perceive each wine as a person at a party. Their character and personality, how they look, smell and interact with each other, with me, with the food. The standouts, the wallflowers, the old friends, the aggressive, the familiar, the novel, the sophisticated… And while it is always wonderful to taste exceptional Bordeaux and easy to drink cheap and cheerful sauvignon blancs, what I love the most about wine tastings is discovering new grape varieties and new styles.

At the end of this month, The Straits Wine Company will hold their fourth Philippine Wine Fiesta from Oct. 29 to 31. Over 27 winemakers from around the world will bring together a compelling array of wines from over 100 labels during their Grand Tasting Session on Oct. 30 at Whitespace, Pasong Tamo Ext. One of the things I love the most about this wine fiesta is their selection of unusual grape varieties and vineyards. There will be wines from Australia, New Zealand, Chile, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria. Expect trendy rosés, super Tuscan wines, gems from Prinz von Hessen — one of the oldest wine estates in Rheingau — and the creators of Chianti, Barone Ricasoli. Watch out for the really surprising off-dry Veltliner from Austria, which for me was the star of the party! Among other activities you can attend is a master class by wine expert Joel B. Payne and attend some thoughtfully crafted wine-pairing dinners at the capital’s premier dining establishments such as Sala, Cav and Brasserie Ciçou. The event is perfect for both aficionados and debutantes alike, a wonderful opportunity to discover and learn. As if we really needed another good excuse to enjoy a glass of wine, or two, or 10.

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The Philippine Wine Fiesta events are as follows: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. – International Wine Dinner at Cav, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. – French Winemakers’ Table Dinner at Brasserie Ciçou. Ticket for each event is P3,900/ person.

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Grand Tasting Session at Whitespace Hall A, 6 p.m. – Master class with Joel Payne at venue. Ticket is P1,000/ person.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Best of Costières de Nimes Dinner with Chateau Mas Neuf at Sala, ticket is P4,500/ person.

Tickets for all events are available at The Straits Wine Company, UPRC III Bldg., 2289 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. Call Mavy Jose to reserve your tickets at 757-1180 or 0917-594-0356. Or email marivic.jose@sswc.com.sg.

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For more information visit www.winefiesta.com.sg or www.facebook.com/straitswinecompany.