A vintage champagne dinner

Great news for champagne lovers! Veuve Clicquot has chosen 2002 as its first vintage for the 21st century. Vintage years are chosen primarily because they are remarkable years which allow the winemakers to create wines with distinctive personalities, while still remaining true to the Veuve Clicquot style. 

This new 2002 Vintage release, chosen by Veuve Clicquot’s Chef De Cave Jacques Peters and his team, has been described as “Outstanding” by no less than fabled wine critic Robert Parker of Wine Spectator.

This rare champagne was introduced in the Philippines in Makati Shangri-La’s Red as Star columnist Johnny Litton hosted the event with Red’s chef Ruediger Lurz pairing off this champagne with his superb creations.  Canapés were served with Veuve Clicquot’s signature Yellow Label. Dinner started with carpaccio of tuna and duck foie gras embraced with a sip of Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rich, a silky wine simultaneously evoking fruity and floral, mineral and spicy notes. Lemon and olive oil poached Palawan lobster was paired with Veuve Clicquot Vintage Reserve, which was soft and velvety. The main course was pan seared loin of veal glazed with Burgundy snails adorned with chanterelles, potato strudel and sauce Regency. This was paired with the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rosé, a full bodied champagne. The vanilla and yogurt mousse was served as dessert but I was too busy drinking this heavenly new vintage and could not have enough of it. 

Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2002 may soon be available in the Philippines, let’s keep our fingers crossed that we get our allocation.  Veuve Clicquot is distributed by Ram’s House of Wines.

The home of true Italian cuisine

It was another gastronomic meal when Future Trade paired its wines with food prepared by chef Maurizio Gibillini of Maurizio Ristorante in true Italian fashion. He served an appetizer trio of Bresaola (air dried beef), Caprese Mozzarela Buffala and Insalata di Polpo (octopus salad). This was followed by Tagliatelle Cinghiale (wild boar sauce) and Risotto with Porcini mushrooms served with Hardy’s Oomoo from Australia. Chef Maurizio is from Milan, the best place to get the proper risotto. I tell you one thing — the risotto in Maurizio is the most authentic risotto I have tried in this city. It is al dente (slightly undercooked the way risotto should really be!), not too saucy yet not dry — the way the perfect Milanese risotto is! The main course was Angus rib-eye with peppercorn sauce served with Frescobaldi Nippozzano Riserva from Italy. Chef Maurizio served his home-made gelato (the hazelnut and mascarpone flavors are to-die-for) paired with Nederberg Noble Late Harvest from South Africa.

Ristorante Maurizio was opened in 2007 by friends Mike Ozaeta, Ivan Yao, Emerson Yao and chef Maurizio, who also runs Pagliacci in The Podium and Gelatone in Greenbelt 3. Maurizio Ristorante is open daily for lunch and dinner and is located on 138 H. V. de la Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. 

(Call 750-7817 for reservations.)

Too hot to handle

Boracay witnessed a challenge like no other when three teams with 20 players led by four celebrities experienced grueling tasks to win the first-ever Old Spice High Endurance Challenge. The day started  with a registration period for locals and tourists who wanted to join and in two hours, a crowd had already formed, all eager to sign up, wanting to run alongside the likes of Polo Ravales, Niña Jose, Joseph Bitangcol and Maui Taylor. 

First up was a for-celebrities-only obstacle where participants searched for  a chip on a designated plot on the sands. This round went to Polo Ravales. Then each team now had to fill a barrel by running back and forth to the shore, getting sea water using a coconut ladle, which Polo’s team won. Third was swimming to a kayak at sea and get an Old Spice product. At the mountain biking leg, Joseph’s team had the lead. The last task was to put together the puzzle pieces that they received during each part of the race. Joseph and his team won and got the P50,000 prize.

Even with the island heat, all contestants felt protected as Old Spice and Secret, whose primary products are antiperspirants and deodorants, was responsible for the whole festivity. The Old Spice High Endurance Challenge continued well on to the night at Summerplace where awards were handed out to those who joined in the race. Also, newly launched to complete the line-up of freshness for Old Spice were Old Spice Body Wash and Old Spice Body Spray. Old Spice Antiperspirant and Deodorant is available in Fresh or Pure Sport. Secret Antiperspirant and Deodorant comes in Sheer Dry and Platinum. These are available in all leading supermarkets and drug stores.  Old Spice and Secret products are exclusively distributed by RPG Distribution Services, Inc. under license from Procter & Gamble Distributing Philippines, Inc.

Sourcing the natural way

The Natural Source (TNS) was launched at The Spa, Bonifacio High Street. The heavy downpour that day did not encumber guests from coming and having a relaxing, good time. Dr. Robert Ipasso, the Australian naturopathic expert, who founded TNS in 1995, facilitated the consultations of guests regarding skin, hair and body care. Everyone was also treated to a luxurious hand massage and a free makeover using only the best products that nature has to offer.

The world’s leading naturopathic skincare company, TNS develops and produces women’s, men’s and infants’ natural and naturopathic beauty and wellness products for today’s demanding lifestyle requirements.  Every detail — from the leading edge product development right through to the manufacturing process in pharmaceutical grade laboratories — is executed with utmost concern for the customers’ well being, safety and performance.  TNS range of cosmeceutical skincare, treatment, beauty and lifestyle products are 100 percent made in Australia — the country that is acknowledged as the leader in naturopathic research and innovation —  primarily based on pure plant extracts, free from animal testing, animal ingredients and chemicals.

TNS is used and enjoyed in over 26 countries. In the Philippines, TNS is now open at Bldg. 8, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City; 3/L TriNoma Mall in Quezon City; G/F SM Cebu; North Wing; and at Landmark TriNoma.