It’s not what you usually see in the middle of Shangri-La Plaza’s Grand Atrium: cases and cases of wine boxes stacked up near the fountain area; rows and rows of bottles from around the world, ripe for selection; and stations highlighting global foods — jambon jabugo cones, truffle mac ‘n’ cheese, fresh salmon, truffle brie and porchetta, salami Milano and others.
In a wine market like few others in Manila, Marketplace by Rustan’s launched the World of Wine Fair last Thursday at the Shangri-La Plaza Grand Atrium (it finishes up today). Curating wines from eight countries, with a series of international sessions featuring wine experts exploring vineyard culture and varietals, it’s a unique chance to explore premium wines through sample tastings. Bottles are curated and sourced directly from estates — sold at exclusive rates (10-15 percent off) through Marketplace by Rustan’s.
Moët & Chandon fruiton-the-rocks refresher
It’s a thrill, actually, to sample wine after wine — the iced Moët & Chandon, served with strawberries and grapefruit, or the Beringer Pinot Noir from 2016 (crisp and full-bodied), but also the Vin D’Alsace Riesling (swirling with warm tones), the Pey Mallet Haut-Medoc, and new discoveries from Argentina and Chile. It’s a wide, wide world of wine out there.
Hero bottles of the night were the iconic Torlasco Barbaresco DOCG 2013; the exceptionally rare Château Léoville Las Cases Saint Julien 2010 (rated 98 and 99 by the famous wine critics Robert Parker and James Suckling); and the world-renowned Terre Di Pozzo Amorone Della Valpoicella DOCG 2014, among others.
International gourmet treats like jambon janugo cones were there to enjoy.
It was a night of toasts with Australian Ambassador to Manila Amanda Gorely and Australian Senior Trade Commissioner Elodie Journet in attendance, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe raising a few glasses, and vintage bottles being raffled off to media and guests. (I managed to snag a 2007 Beringer Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.)
Rustan Supercenters Inc. Group and Non-Food Merchandising VP Kerwin Legarde noted their wine sales have gone up 30 percent year on year, and part of that is due to Marketplace by Rustan’s wide selection. As Filipinos move outside their wine “comfort zones,” they’ve expanded their price points and wine tastes, too.
Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe enjoyed the food, wine and company at World of Wine Fair.
Wine is a social lubricant, of course. And discovering new wines in a place that’s made to resemble a European wine alley is a smashing idea. As for those expert wine sessions, you can still register for some being held today by presenting a Fresh, Marketplace or Sapphire card at any Marketplace by Rustan’s branch in Shang, Rockwell or Makati and pay P299 a session. Non-cardholders can also enroll for P500 per session. As a gift, all participants in the sessions walk home with a free bottle of wine.
If you don’t get a chance to stop by Shangri-La today, you can still enjoy exclusive wine discounts at any Marketplace by Rustan’s branch until Oct. 7. Those who attend today, though, could win a World of Wine Raffle Promo raffle ticket by spending a minimum of P1,000 until Sept. 30. Prizes include two Swarovski Gift Certificates worth P20,000, three Apple iPads (32GB), and a trip for two to Napa Valley with a private vineyard tour of Beringer. Grand prize is a spectacular trip for two to France, with a two-night stay at the Lamouthe Mansion and Vineyard.
Hero bottles: Rare, curated estate wines were in abundance, like Clos Du Marquis Saint-Julien 2013 and Humberto Canale Estate Malbec.
Time to stock up for the coming holidays — think of it as your own little tour through Europe and the world’s best wine regions, right there at Shangri-La Plaza, courtesy of Marketplace by Rustan’s.
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