THE little I know about Joseph “Jojo” Madrid, I’ve gleaned from attending occasions where wine is the main event. He is a member of the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) Philippines Branch and is Executive Director of Philippine Equity Partners Inc., a leading stock brokerage house in Manila. He is one of the principals at Premium Wine Exchange, a wine importation and distribution company known for its portfolio of premium American and European labels. That selection of beautiful wines occupy one wall of wine chillers at Masseto, a small, warmly elegant restaurant (tucked away among the office buildings in Salcedo Village) where he is also one of the principals.
That he is also into running, I learned a couple of months ago over Champagne Bruno Paillard. “No, I won’t make it to the Bordeaux marathon this year,” I overheard him say. And then he went back to explaining the merits of the superb sparklers we were drinking. For this wine enthusiast, the finish is just the beginning.
How did you get started into wine?
Back in the ’90s, I had to entertain many Singapore- and Hong Kong-based fund managers, many of whom drank fine Bordeaux. I had to learn quickly so I could select good wine. My wine bible then was Parker’s book on Bordeaux. Back then, I paid a lot of attention to his scores to the point that I actually memorized them.
What do you have in your cellar?
My cellar pretty much encompasses all major wine-growing regions except for South Africa and Argentina. I have a few bottles from New Zealand, Chile and Australia. Most of my wines are from France, namely Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone. I also have quite a bit of Barolo, Brunello and Napa.
How do you buy wine?
I buy only from reputable US- and Asian-based retailers. I also participate in auctions for older and hard-to-find bottles.
Which are your prized bottles?
Giacomo Conterno Monfortino 1971, Jaboulet La Chapelle 1978, Vega Sicilia 1968, DRC Romanée Conti 1997 and DRC Le Montrachet 1997, Yquem 1948, Latour 1961, Petrus 1990 and 2005.
What are you drinking now?
Burgundies, mostly young ones because the mature ones are hard to find and expensive.
How did Masseto come about?
My closest friends and I wanted a cozy place to eat good comfort food and drink good wine.
We also found good wine service lacking in all fine-dining establishments so we decided to put up our own restaurant.
What was your most memorable/unforgettable wine experience?
Sharing a pristine bottle of Chateau Latour 1961 with my wife at Sala.
Is there one wine you cannot do without?
Burgundy of course.
Vinofile. Premium Wine Exchange: Ground Floor, Smith Bell Building, 2294 Chino Roces Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo), Barangay Magallanes, Makati City, (632) 812-3823 • Fax: (632) 892-9724 www.pwxchange.com.ph
In Photo: Jojo Madrid on a recent trip to Burgundy
