French wines perk up Filipino palates

            AN EVENING of "wining and dining" marked the recent visit of two
            French executives from one of France's most popular wine brands, Les
            Vins Skalli.
            Etienne Godard, Skalli international export manager, and Patrick
            Lachapelle, brand ambassador for Asia, were here to promote their
            wide selection of fine wine, conduct wine orientation and seminar,
            and meet with clients and distributors.
            Strong brands
            Skalli, established in 1920 and based in Ch鈚eauneuf du Pape, is a
            family-owned, dominant name among south-of-France wineries. It was
            the first to launch single varietal wines in 1987. Today, it offers
            strong brands from four major vineyards in Rh鬾e Valley, Languedoc,
            Provence and Corsica. Its major brands are Robert Skalli and Maison
            Bouachon.
            Happy Living Philippines Corp., exclusive importer and distributor
            of Skalli in the country, hosted a lavish wine-tasting for wine and
            food connoisseurs to welcome the two executives at 22 Prime of
            Discovery Suites Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
            To show how food complements Skalli wines, Discovery Suites'
            executive chef David Pardo de Ayala did contemporary dishes he
            paired with carefully chosen Skalli wines.
            "Wine drinking should be fun," noted Godard. "Our wine goes well
            with any food. It gives a different kind of experience."
            Katherine Yao Santos, Happy Living marketing director, said, "Robert
            Skalli is the most popular among our lines because it's more mature
            in taste, heavier in structure and very complex yet very
affordable."
            Six stations
            There were six stations of food and wine spread around the room.
            First to be presented were Seared Chilean Sea Bass with
            Saffron-Ginger Glaze and Miso Gindara with Edamame. They were paired
            with Fortant de France Sauvignon Blanc 2007, which has a refreshing
            yet intense citrus taste.
            Fortant de France Merlot Rose 2007 marked the second station. The
            sweet, fruity flavor of the wine went well with Verbena's seafood
            bouillabaisse and Chicken and Pistachio Terrine.

            Then, De Ayala prepared Salmon Ravioli with creamy lemongrass sauce
            and Prawns with Brown Butter and Pumpkin Seeds for the light-bodied
            Fortant de France Chardonnay 2006 and Robert Skalli Reserve
            Chardonnay 2006. Fortant's chardonnay offers subtle aromas of pears
            and roasted hazelnuts, while Skalli's chardonnay comes in pale
            yellow with stimulating citrus orange.
            Fortant's velvety smooth Shiraz 2005 matched well with the
            melt-in-your-mouth Duck and Foie Gras Meatballs with Cherry Mostarda
            and Seared Lamb Riblets "Piccante with Salsa Verde."
            Saved for last were the intense dark red of Fortant de France
            Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and Robert Skalli Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
            2005. De Ayala concocted his signature Potato Puree and Lamb Breast
            Roulade with Rosemary and Braised Beef Short Ribs Bourguignon for
            these wines.
            Personal choice
            "You see, wine is very personal," said De Ayala. "It's all up to
            you. Some people mistakenly believe they will ruin the meal if they
            make a wrong wine choice. But, go ahead, choose a wine you enjoy
            regardless of what the wine experts say."
            Skalli wines are available at major supermarkets, including SM and
            S&R. They are also served in major hotels, restaurants and caf閟,
            such as The French Baker.