Although many Filipinos now drink wine, many have favored the so-called New World wines from California, Chile, South Africa and Australia. This is the reason why the Mandarin Oriental Manila and the International Wine and Spirits Association are presenting Euro Wine, a wine festival that highlights European wines, on June 5, 8 pm, at the hotel ballroom.

Oenophiles and food lovers will have much to enjoy at this festival where wine and food from major European countries will be featured. Wines coming from Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Germany, and spirits from the United Kingdom will be available for tasting during the event, paired with dishes coming from the different countries. The Mandarin’s chefs will be serving dishes like paella from Spain; bacalao and egg tarts from Portugal; Thuringer sausages and roast pork knuckle with sauerkraut from Germany; coq au vin and oysters from France; Wiener schnitzel and Linzer torte from Austria; cervelat sausages and cheese salad from Switzerland; and antipasti and tiramisu from Italy.

Mandarin Oriental general manager Helmut Gaisberger explains that part of the popularity of New World wines in the country is the cost.

“A reason why European wines are not so much in demand is that they cost more,” says Gaisberger. “Many wine drinkers seem to forget that European wines are at an advantage when it comes to quality of production. Usually, European wineries use a different process when making wines. They are more concerned with producing wine in the traditional way to ensure its quality.”

He adds that the distance of Europe to the Philippines and the competitiveness of the euro also make European wines costlier.

New World wines are described to be a product of process-driven techniques that involve distillation, acidification and the like. The perfect bottle of wine from the Old World is the end-result of a country’s terroir—the climate, topography and soil—as well as centuries of wine-producing experience.

“The Euro Wine event aims to bring the spotlight on the Old World wines of Europe. While their popularity has diminished with the heightened interest on the more affordable, bolder-flavored wines from the Americas, Australia and South Africa, the European wines’ unparalleled quality that many people may have forgotten in recent years have remained a steadfast classic,” Gaisberger explains.

Providing entertainment during the event are Skaramouche, a jazz trio from Switzerland; Austrian folk music by Franz Langer, with singers Christa Hemetsberger and Harald Iwurmsdobler and accordionist Rudolf Kubis; and mood music by Martinis bar jazz singer Cynthia Saunders.

Guests can also bid for various vacation prizes in an auction that will benefit GeoChris Foundation Inc., a nongovernment organization headed by Austrian priest Georg Ziselberger, SVD. The foundation is committed to the sustainable development of various indigenous cultures.

A ticket to the event, priced at P3,000, entitles a guest to unlimited access to the evening’s wine, food and entertainment, and a chance to bid during the auction.

International Wine and Spirits Association president Ralph Joseph said prizes up for bidding include a roundtrip business-class ticket to Geneva from an Asian hub, courtesy of Swiss International Airlines, with accommodations at Mandarin Oriental Geneva; a roundtrip business-class ticket to Munich, courtesy of Lufthansa German Airlines, with accommodations at Mandarin Oriental Munich; two-night stay at El Nido Resort in Palawan, inclusive of airfare, transfers, meals and activities; two-night stay at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Mactan Island; and two-night stay at Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, among others.

Euro Wine is being held with the support of Swiss International Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, BDO, Globe and Grand Shipping Alliance.

For ticket reservations and inquiries, call 750-8888, local 2402, or visit the Lobby Shop at the Mandarin Oriental Manila.

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Drinking in Europe

Although many Filipinos now drink wine, many have favored the so-called New World wines from California, Chile, South Africa and Australia. This is the reason why the Mandarin Oriental Manila and the International Wine and Spirits Association are presenting Euro Wine, a wine festival that highlights European wines, on June 5, 8 pm, at the hotel ballroom.

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