French wines perk up Pinoy 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 Châteauneuf 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 Rhône 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 cafés, such as The French Baker.