The Holiday Inn was the latest property to promote wine appreciation in Pattaya with a “Southern Hemisphere” wine tasting, held in the Havana Bar. The wines came from the cellars of VS Classic Wines, but unfortunately MD Virach Sriprasert was unable to attend at the last minute, so Aom from VS Classic Wines was able to step in with assistance from Thanagon Poungbubpchart, PR for Holiday Inn.
The wines originated from Australia, Argentina, South Africa, Chile and New Zealand, hence the “Southern Hemisphere” name for the event.
As opposed to the usual style of wine tasting, the Holiday Inn divided the ten wines into three flights, dispensed from two stations around the Havana Bar with the first flight from 7.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the second from 8 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and the final flight from 8.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This was a novel way of carrying out the tasting, but could be confusing when one went back to the wine station to find the wines had changed.
(L to R) Janet and Richard Smith, Jan and Jim Benson sample the best wine on offer.
Each vineyard had both a white and a red to sample and Lindeman’s offered Henry’s Son Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc and a Henry’s Son Shiraz Cabernet. The Bodegas vineyard had a Salentein Portillo Chardonnay and these made up the first flight.
The second flight had Echeverria Sauvignon Blanc and the Echeverria Carmenere, plus the Fairview Estate La Capra Chenin Blanc and their Pinotage.
The final flight had two wines only, both from the New Zealand Wairau River winery, with a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Noir.
(L to R) Akkarapong Yuwaphan (right), Wine Consultant, VS Classic Wines Ltd., Part., talks wine with Holiday Inn Pattaya’s team.
It was difficult to choose between many of the wines, and a return trip to the wine station was fraught with danger for the taster as the flight had often changed.
However, for me, the Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc was the pick of the evening. Great nose, easy on the palate and a long, long finish.
(L to R) Jason and Meagan Kamerbeek, Ladda Kasena and Kevin Watkins are certainly enjoying this great event.
