The tranquil grounds of the Garden Lounge at the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower’s garden wing were the perfect setting for the Chilean wine experience held Aug 29.
It featured wines from Siam Winery, focusing on the sumptuous reds and whites from Casillero del Diablo of Chile, which were accompanied by a selection of tapas created by Chef Leonard Faust. Guests were welcomed with an ice-chilled glass of Sparkling Brut Chardonnay from the Limari Valley.
(L to R) Daksha Gohil, Brendan Daly, General Manager of Amari Pattaya, and Bic Gohil from Ford Motors.
Two white wines were available: the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc from the central valley, fresh and with crisp acidity, and from the Casablanca Valley the 2011 Chardonnay, a mid-bodied wine with a long, sweet finish.
Baby oysters with spinach and cheesy béchamel sauce, and roasted potatoes wrapped with smoked bacon and ricotta cheese were on offer as well as Chilean white bean and butternut squash chicken soup, sautéed penne with basil pesto and sun dried tomatoes with crispy bacon, and vegetarian patties with spicy tomato sauce, and prepared quesadillas with chicken, black bean and sweet corn.
(L to R) Rodney James Charman, Koonlapatporn Intarasing, Key Account Specialist (Horega) of Siam Winery, and Thanakiti Saivichittree, Food & Beverage Manager of Amari Pattaya.
The reds included the Carmenere 2011 from the Rapel Valley and the 2012 cabernet Sauvignon both of which were aged in American oak barrels. Although the cabernet is hugely popular, the guests were also keen on the Carmenere, which is not usually available in Thailand and has recently been added to the portfolio of Siam Winery.
The ambience of the setting was complimented by the subtle background music and rounded off with a selection of chef’s pastries and cakes.
Mark Hudson (back), Janet Smith, and Richard Smith, from the Pattaya City Expats Club.
