Thai Wine Wins Best Rosé Contest

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Thai Wine Wins Best Rosé Contest

A Thai rosé produced by Hua Hin’s Monsoon Valley has been named ‘World’s Best Rosé’ at this year’s ‘Best Rosé in Thailand’ competition, according to Thedrinksbusiness.com.

The competition was held in Phuket earlier this month as part of the Nai Harn Phuket resort’s wine programme and the Thai rosé was named 80 other labels, including a selection of options from Provence, France.

 “I loved the balance and energy of the Monsoon Valley White Shiraz,” said wine critic James Suckling, who selected the winning rosé. “The tasting was completely blind and we judged the wine for its brightness and quality.”

The Monsoon Valley White Shiraz beat several more expensive bottles of pink to claim the ‘Best of Show’ accolade. It also scooped the honours as ‘Best Value’, ahead of Chateau Routas Varois en Provence 2017, whose 2016 vintage won the category last year.

“The Thai wine industry is just coming into its own with a handful of wineries making outstanding bottles,” said James. “The tropical climate is difficult for viticulture, necessitating constant management and nurturing. Experimentation is still the norm with winemakers looking for the correct methodology and grape types to emphasise quality.”

A report by The Nation recently revealed that demand from tourists is boosting Thailand’s wine industry to new heights. Joe Swarin, president of Wine Professionals’ Services Limited – the organiser of Bangkok’s premier annual wine-tasting event – said that the wine important business in Thailand is flourishing.

According to Swarin, the event is one of the biggest and most elaborate professional wine events in the country. Each year it attracts a variety of overseas boutique wine producers and importers, who exhibit their wines to 1,000 wine professionals including sommeliers and F&B specialists. Other attendees include the owners of restaurants, wine bars and wine shops, plus high-end wine lovers.

“We’ve seen the volume of wine [sales] increasing year after year with m ore wine importers, fine dining and Michelin Star restaurants, more wine bars, wine shops and duty-free shops opening at border crossings as well as international airports all over Thailand,” said Swarin.

“Wine is an important part of the luxury lifestyle among local and foreign visitors. With wine consumption increasingly popular among younger Thai executives, with more international restaurants and eateries than all the neighbouring countries combined – this is helping to grow the wine trade.”

Phuket is home to a number of specialist wine bars, restaurants with quality wine list, and suppliers. Many of the island’s private rental villas also hold an extensive selection of quality vintage in the cellar.