Wine consumption has spread worldwide lately. Besides the traditionally wine-growing producing regions, new countries have entered the race to forge a reputation. Thailand is one of those. There exists now five vineyard regions:
- In northern Thailand: the Phu Rua Valley (Loei), Mai Chan Valley (Chiang Rai)
- The Khao Yai Valley
- Silverlake estate near Pattaya
- The Chao Phraya delta
- Hua Hin Valley.
On a few occasions, I have visited the Silverlake vineyard near Pattaya. This is a truly beautiful location in a valley near Buddha Mountain, having a lovely tropical garden and an Italian-style community center with an A/C wine-bar. One time, I sat there for my own wine-tasting session. They produce three types: two kinds of white (Chenin Blanc, originally from the Loire Valley, and Chardonnay, from Burgundy), a rosé grande, and a red (Syrah or Shiraz, originally from the Rhône Valley, bearing the name of the famed Persian city of Shiraz, known as being the original birthplace of the grape). I kind of enjoyed their Chardonnay, thought that their rosé was palatable but definitively banned their Shiraz.
Nevertheless, recently the Bangkok-Peninsula Hotel was offering a Thai wine-tasting session, featuring the Khao Yai Winery from the PB (Dr. Piya Bhirombhakdi) estates. So, I signed in to try another new Thai brandname for wine, and also to return to The Peninsula, which is such a grand hotel in the 'City of Angels'.
The Peninsula Bangkok
This is one of Bangkok finest hotels with a worldwide reputation for excellence. I stayed there before
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| Shuttle boat to Peninsula |
and really enjoyed being there. Located on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River, in Thonburi, it is right on the riverbank facing the Shangri-La and another grande dame, the Mandarin-Oriental.
To reach the hotel from Saphan Taksin pier, one must use their own shuttle boat built in Thai style. Being there early, I revisited the ground floor premises by the river. Their oriental art collection is worth seeing.
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| Lobby tea-room |
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| Lobby bar ceiling |
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| Wall wood panel |
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| Painting of Thai bird cages |
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| Bronze Garuda on a Naga |
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| Elephant statue |
The Khao Yai Wine-tasting
The wine-tasting session was held at the Thiptara Thai restaurant, set in a beautiful Siamese atmosphere, right on the bank of the Chao Phraya. When I arrived, I was told that I could first have beer, should I wish to. I declined because I could not come to the idea of mixing beer with wine. But then I learned that the PB Estates were, in fact, the same as Singha Beer !
They presented three types of wines: white, rosé and red. They also offered some delicious Thai delicacies to go along with, in an impeccable service.
I first started tasting their Chenin Blanc, which I thought was quite good. Then, I switched to their rosé, which I thought was not to my taste at all. I was waiting for their Shiraz with some palatable experience. However, I was quite disappointed, not that it was not good but simply too young in taste. This wine has probably a good potential provided it is kept properly so that it can mature to enhance its quality.
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| White (Chenin blanc) |
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| Rosé |
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| Red (Shiraz) |
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| PB Estates wine-tasting at Thiptara restaurant |
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| Sala Pavilion |
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| Chao Phraya bank |
The industry might still be too young in Thailand. I also wonder why it seems to be such a necessity to grow three colors at the same time. The
Chenin Blanc appears to do pretty well. Growing
Shiraz or
Cabernet Sauvignon takes a lot of savoir-faire. The quality of the earth, as well as the exposure to the sun play an important role in the making. Moreover, wine conservation is not only a matter of experience but also a matter of aging adequately.
It will probably take many more years before the Thai wine-making may improve its quality in order to be able to compete with other down under wines from Australia or New Zealand.
Yet, I am grateful to the Peninsula to offer such an opportunity. I thought I had to pay for this wine-tasting session. To my surprise, the staff told me it was a hotel activity offerered to their guestd and that it was therefore complimentary.
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| Peninsula front garden & the River Café. |
