1st Wine Blogging Wednesday Media Night "Prelude to the 17th Grand Wine"

The Grand Wine Experience, a celebration now on its 17th year, now proudly brings you “Dégustation,” a culinary journey that will take you through a vast spectrum of exquisite flavors from all around the world. 

Celebrated in a manner befitting royalty, it pays tribute to the grape elite, who traverse a gustatory wonderland that completely engages all their senses from beginning to end, with a red carpet treatment. 

Ronald Lim Joseph (director, Philippine Wine Merchants), Robert Lim Joseph (chairman, Philippine Wine Merchants), Bruce Winton (Marriott GM), Ralph Lim Joseph (president, Philippine Wine Merchants) and Raymond Lim Joseph (director, Philippine Wine Merchants)

Marriott Hotel

The Grand Wine Experience was founded in 2000 by the four Joseph brothers (Ralph, Robert, Ronnie and Raymond) of the Philippine Wine Merchants (in turn, founded in 1975), one of the biggest wine importers and distributors in the country, with strong market presence in both on-premise and off-premise sales.  

Mainly aiming to raise local awareness about wines and spirits, it will be held on November 24, 2017, Friday, 5 PM at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, Newport City.

Check out "15th Grand Wine Experience"

An invitation to wine and dine ......

The Wine Museum Hotel & Resto

From a humble gathering featuring just 11 countries, the Grand Wine Experience has, since then, transformed itself to become Southeast Asia's most illustrious and grandest wine event,  now featuring wines and spirits from 22 countries.  Check out video here.

Just a month before this grand event, lifestyle bloggers were invited to the 1st Wine Blogging Wednesday Media Night "Prelude to the 17th Grand Wine" held at the Wine Museum Hotel & Resto.  

Here, they heard wine industry players Mr. Christopher Quimbo, Mr. Francis Tosei Hasegawa, Ms. Rhodora “Dada” Gatdula-Villola, Mr. Mattheiu Lerat and Mr. Koji Takaku, at the same time sampling some of the products they promote.  Also present was Ms. Normita "Nhorrie" Franco-Wang (VP for Retail Operations - Concession Department) and Ms. Dawn Rosary Ignacio (Off-Trade Head), both of PWM. 

 

Mr. Christopher Quimbo (President & GM of Calabria Company Limited)

An array of Novellino Wines

Mr. Christopher "Chris" Quimbo, President and GM of Calabria Company Limited, introduced us to Novellino Wines, the most popular, locally produced, wallet-friendly sweet, soft and effervescent wine that has captured a third of the Philippine market. 

Using a process that made wines suitable for a sweeter palate, Novellino has found a creative way to popularize wine appreciation in the country which is still a young market in terms of wine consumption and appreciation. Though they can’t grow grapes locally, Novellino has recreated the complexity necessary for wine making by importing grape juice from traditional wine making countries such as Spain and Italy. Their 15 different brands of wine are produced in their Canlubang, Laguna winery.   

Mr. Francis Tosei Hasegawa 

Four varieties of Mars Whiskey

Mr. Francis Tosei Hasegawa, bartender and co-owner of Lit, a newly-opened, 25-pax bar at Serendra that serves Japanese whiskey,  narrated the history of Japanese whiskey, notably the tale of Mars Whiskey. 

Kiichiro Iwai (1883-1966), founder of Mars Whiskey, dispatched Masataka Taketsuru (both were fellows back in Osaka University) to Scotland to learn whiskey making based on traditional Scotch. After he came back to Japan, Masataka’s report helped Kiichiro later plan the Yamanashi Distillery in 1960. 

In 2016, a second distillery began operations in Tsunuki, Kagoshima.  Francis presented 4 of Mar’s  products – Cosmo Blended Malt Whiskey, Iwai Tradition Blended Whiskey (2010), Twin Alps Blended Whiskey and Komagatake Single Malt Whiskey (1996).

 

Ms. Dada Gatula-Villola

Ramon Bilbao Crianza,
Zonin Prosecco Black and
Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec

Ms. Rhodora “Dada” Gatdula-Villola, Business Unit Manager of Best World Beverages Brands, Inc. (now on its 19th year anniversary), an importer and marketer of wines and spirits in the Philippines, introduced us to Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec, Zonin Prosecco Black and Ramon Bilbao Crianza. 

Trivento is the most diversely distributed Argentine wine brand in the world. Its Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec is a concentrated garnet-red wine whose lively red fruit aromas and silky tannins make way for a flood of sensations on the palate. 

Prosecco (pronounce Proh-sehk-koh) takes its name from a quaint hillside town near Trieste, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Its Zonin Prosecco DOC Black Edition is made from Glera grapes blended with Pinot Noir to create a sparkling wine, where the intense aromatic notes of Glera are accented by the finesse and the elegance of Pinot Noir. 

Ramon Bilbao Crianza, from Rioja, Spain, is a 100% Tempranillo that spent 13 months in American oak. Aromas of cedar, tobacco, violets, black cherry, and blackberry inform the nose of this medium-bodied, spicy, nicely proportioned Rioja.

 

Mr. Koji Takaku

According to Mr. Koji Takaku (Sales Manager of Sapporo Premium Beer), Sapporo beer is the top selling Asian beer brand in the US. The oldest beer brand in Japan, it was founded in 1876. 

Its Sapporo Premium Beer is a refreshing American Pale Lager style beer with a crisp, refined flavor and a clean finish, perfect to pair with any meal whether it be sushi or Chinese food meals.  

Light-bodied, refreshing, clean on the palate, this rice-based lager has a nice dark gold color and smells incredibly bright, vibrant and fresh.

 

Mr. Mattheiu Lerat

A Hennessy VS cocktail

Mr. Mattheiu Lerat, of Moet Hennessy Brand Philippines, is the Heritage Brand Manager for Henessy VS, Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey and Belvedere Vodka. Hennessy VS, one of the most famous cognacs in the world, has an iconic bottle shape. The “VS” stands for “Very Special” and means that the youngest eaux-de-vie in this blend is at least 2.5 years old. 

Belvedere Vodka, marketed as the world’s first super premium vodka, represents the pinnacle of the Polish rye vodka making tradition. Named after Belweder, the Polish presidential palace in Warsaw, whose illustration appears on its bottles, it is produced exclusively in Żyrardów, Poland and was launched in the United States in 1996 as a"luxury" liquor. 

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, aged for 18 years and finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, is made using malt barley.  It earned the Double Gold Medal at the SanFrancisco World Spirits Competition in 2010.

Standing: Mr. Koji Takaku, Ms. Nhorrie Franco-Wang, Mr. Renzo Joseph (Ralphs Wines & Spirits), Ms. Dawn Rosary Ignacio.
Seated: Ms. Rhodora Gatdula-Villola, Mr. Matthieu Lerat and Mr. Christopher Quimbo

G' Vine Gin de France

These well known and outstanding brands are among 500 of the world's most notable wines and spirits, fully ripe for drinking, that will join winemakers, wine connoisseurs, oenophiles, celebrities, dignitaries and the like in a single event, with a bounteous, never-ending buffet of the finest, most expertly curated dishes of Marriott Hotel Executive Chef Meik Brammer that will, once again, leave them absolutely breathless.

Despite the lavishness and luxury of the event, PWM has never forgetten their social responsibility.   Every year, to share their success and blessings, proceeds of the Grand Wine Experience are donated to ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., to Project Pink and to T.E.A.M. (Tourism Educators and Movers) Philippines. Chairman Robert Joseph, a well-known tourism advocate in the country, also uses this event for his advocacies in promoting the tourism industry of the Philippines with the help of the Department of Tourism.

Montes Alpha

This event is held in partnership with Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila, Department of Tourism, Citem, Department of Trade and Industry, Robinsons Supermarket, Hennessy, Robert Mondavi, Premier Wine & Spirits, Inc., Nissan, Johnnie Walker, Grand Cru, Whyte & Mackay, Concha y Toro, Yellow Tail, Novellino Wines, Camus, Don Revy, Best World Beverage Brands, Inc., Starbucks, Rustan’s, Marketplace by Rustan’s, Stores Specialists, Inc., Shopwise, The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Airlines La Isla, Stolzle, NAPA Technology, Lifestyle, Food Magazine, Metro Society, and ABS-CBN. 

For advance registration, call telephone numbers (02) 853-9894, (02) 851-0172 and (02) 831-7951, e-mail sales@pwm.com.ph or online at www.grandwineexperience.com.

Philippine Wine Merchants: 2253 Aurora Blvd., Pasay City 1300, Metro Manila.Tel: (02) 853-7423.  Email: sales@ralphswines.com.ph. Website: www.grandwineexperience.com.

Best World Beverages Brands, Inc.:  Julia Vargas Ave.cor. Garnet Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.  Tel: (02) 637-8491 to 93. E-mail: bestworldbeverage98@gmail.com.

Calabria Company Limited: Unit RD-F, Vernida I Bldg., 120 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.  Tel: (02) 814-0800. Mobile number: (0917) 834-8682 (Mr. Christopher Quimbo).  E-mail: chris.quimbo@novellinowines.com. Website: www.novellinowines.com.

Moet Hennessy Asia Pacific: 6766 Stock Exchange Plaza Ave. cor. Paseo de  Roxas, Makati City.  Tel: (02)750-1608.

The Wine Museum Hotel & Resto: 2253 Aurora Blvd. (formerly Tramo Rd.), Tramo, Pasay City, Metro Manila.  Tel: (632) 239-4278.  Fax: (632) 853-5894. E-mail: hotelvino@yahoo.com. Website: www.thewinemuseum.org. 

Restaurant Review: The View Deck Grill House (Coron, Palawan)

Members of print and online media at The View Deck Grill House.  The author is at seated at center while 
Corporate Executive Chef Francis "Janjie" Ocoma is standing at right

To culminate our first day in Coron, Chef Francis Christian "Janjie" Ocoma (the "Lakwatserong Kusinero") brought us, from Sophia's Garden Resort, to the town proper to experience the town’s newest chillout place – The View Deck Grill House (where Janjie is also its Corporate Executive Chef).  

This barely two month old restaurant (it was just opened last August 28 of this year) can comfortably seat 70 patrons.

Sunset view from the restaurant

Too bad it was already late in the evening and rainy as this airy, roof deck restaurant is, as its name implies, a place to have a panoramic 360 degree view of the town, the offshore islands of Coron Bay and, come sunset, see the sun disappear behind Uson Island.  All this while dining, al fresco, with a cool drink on your side, on grilled food including their extraordinary supreme flame grilled burger with fried chicken fillet, said to be the yummiest burger in town.

Check out "Resort Review: Sophia Garden Resort"

Janjie recommended we try out its set menu which consisted of a choice of two soups, both pastry-covered (Tomato, Herb and Cream Cheese Soup and Cream of Mushroom Cheese Soup) and an appetizer of Classic Style Buffalo Wings with Pesto Sour Cream Sauce.  

This was followed by Baked Shepherd's Pie, a comforting, hearty and traditional English dish consisting of minced beef with gravy covered with cheese and mashed potatoes.

Baked Shepherd's Pie

Pastry-Covered Tomato, Herb and Cream Cheese Soup

Classic Style Buffalo Wings
with Pesto Sour Cream Sauce

Tiramisu and Cheese Cake

We then tried their deliciously creamy  Wrapped Signature Chicken Enchiladas (chicken and a creamy tomato sauce rolled up in tortillas), the crispy Country-Style Fried Chicken and their Grilled Platter consisting of an assortment of barbecued pork, chicken inasal, prawns and tuna. 

For dessert, there’s a slice of the sinful and crowd pleasing Cheesecake and creamy, rich Tiramisu (a popular coffee-flavored Italian custard dessert).

Other items in their regular menu include Bacon and Cheese Quiche, Chicken Inasal, T-bone Steak, Pork Chop, Chicken Barbecue, Bulalo Steak, Baked Penne, Lasagna, among others. The restaurant also has a well-stocked bar. With its delicious food, excellent service and nice ambiance (great for family, group of friends and couples), it is probably the best dining experience you can have in Coron.

Country Style Fried Chicken 

Grilled Platter 

The View Deck Grill House: 3/F, MRC Bldg., Brgy.  5, Bancuang Lower Rd., 5316 Coron.  Mobile number: (0977) 371-0282.  Email: tvdgrillhouse@gmail.com. Open daily, 3 – 10 PM.

How to Get There: this restaurant is located near M. Lhuiller and Aquabest. It is on the topmost floor after the Mayana Spa.

Resort Review: Sophia's Garden Resort (Coron, Palawan)

Date of Stay: October 13-15, 2017

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: ********

Staff Performance: ********

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: *********

Value for Money: ********

Sophia Garden Resort

As its name would suggest, this cozy, family-friendly boutique hotel, located in the middle of paradise called Coron, has a lush, spacious and nice central garden area with bamboo groves, mangroves and lots of trees (mango, duhat, casuy, etc.), a reflection of the owner’s love for gardens and landscaping. The name “Sophia” is derived from his granddaughter Ms. Annika Sophia Tiotangco.  

This modern, Spanish-style, 5,000 sq. m. resort has 22 rooms (14 of which were built just this year) – Superior (PhP4,500, good for two pax), De Luxe (PhP5,800, good for two pax), Dormitory (PhP8,000, good for four pax), Honeymoon Suite (PhP8,500, good for two pax) and Family Room (PhP10,000, good for four pax). 

Room 17

The spacious and clean airconditioned room that I stayed in (Room 17) was decorated in a Minimalist style and was elegantly furnished with a very comfortable bed a flat-screen cable TV, a wardrobe, work desk, mini fridge, coffee and tea making facility,  in-room safe, free bottled water and a patio with views of the garden and pool. 

The nice en suite bathroom had a rain shower head with hot and cold water and comes with a hairdryer and free bath amenities.

Patio

Sun loungers

Hallway

It also features a multi-colored outdoor swimming pool, kiddie pool and a heated jacuzzi, all opened till 10 PM, picnic gazebos and sun loungers. 

Both poolside and lush, well-kept gardens offer a relaxing, serene vibe and, thanks to its large garden space, Sophia’s is a perfect venue for garden weddings. 

Currently, the resort is undergoing a big expansion that will open up rooms facing the ocean, have a floating restaurant, beach front and dock for island hopping and pick up, so a little noise was experienced during the day.

 

Outdoor swimming pool

Children's Pool

Heated jacuzzi

Internet in Coron isn't the fastest or most reliable and can be pretty spotty.  Free Wi-Fi, though available, is much better at the reception area than in the rooms (which is limited to one gadget per person only).  Complimentary private parking is provided. Sophia's Garden Resort operates a 24-hour front desk that can assist with laundry and ironing services. Guests can enjoy a barbecue session with the provided facilities, or request for full body massage services (book in advance). Weather permitting, bonfires are lit every 6 PM. Round trip airport transfers are included in the room rate. They also have a gift shop and rents out bicycles.

 

Poolside picnic sheds

Its charming El Comidor Sophia Restaurant, with its Spanish-styled interior, serves a mixture of delicious international and Filipino (can be served boole style) cuisine. The food, prepared by Corporate Executive Chef Francis Christian "Janjie" Ocoma (the "Lakwatserong Kusinero"),  was very good.  Breakfast (tocino, dried fish, fried rice, scrambled eggs, salad, cereals, etc.) is included in the room rate. 

A bar is also available and room service is provided. The staff was friendly and accommodating and the service provided was excellent. The package tours that they provided through resort-affiliated Amika Travel & Tours, with guide Mr. Jonel Vergara, were very good too. Security was superb.

El Comidor Sophia Restaurant

The hotel is only a 6-min. drive to Baywalk and Busuanga Airport is a 17/km./45-min. drive away.  It is also easily accessible to some of Coron’s must-see destinations, being 950 m. (5-10-min. drive) from the Coron Public Market, 3.8 kms. from Maquinit Hot Spring, 6 kms. from Twin Lagoon and Lake Kayangan,  and 1.1 km. from Mt. Tapyas.

Check out "Maquinit Hot Spring" and "Lake Kayangan"

Reception Building

Reception Area

Bonfire Area

Since its opening in 2012, this sister resort of Kamia Bay Resort (Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa City), received the Award of Excellence from Booking.com in 2014 and the Golden Globe Annual awards for Business Excellence as “Best Spanish Inspired Resort” and the Traveller’s Choice by Trip Advisor, both in 2015. Experience home away from home at Sophia’s Garden Resort.

Gift Shop

Gazebo

Sophia’s Garden Resort: 5 Dinagpan Rd., Sitio Jolo, Brgy. Poblacion 5, Governor's Dr., Coron, 5316 Palawan. Tel: (048) 723-1871.  Mobile numbers: (0917) 543-5775 and (0939) 915-0274. E-mail: sophiasgardenresort@gmail.com. Website: www.sophiasgardenresort.com. You can also follow them on Facebook: Sophia’s Garden Resort