Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest “Noble grape” is a term that describes the international variety of grapes that are most recognizable for their unsurpassed quality, ubiquity across regions, and firm reputation. For wine connoisseurs, there are seven known noble grape varieties. For white wines there are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, and for red wines there are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah (red grapes). There are over 5,000 known grape varieties, but only a chosen few achieve the prestigious status of Noble Grape—the theme for this year’s 16th Grand Wine Experience organized by Philippine Wine Merchants at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Resorts World Manila. The event definitely lived up to its reputation as the grandest wine and spirits event in the country that curates nothing but the best international wines. Attendees included media, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and both expert and novice wine enthusiasts. The 16th Grand Wine Experience at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Resorts World Manila hosted by Franco Mabanta and Sam Oh The Noble Selection Among the featured wines and spirits were Zonin Prosecco, Camus VSOP, Hennessy X.O., Glenmorangie 10 Year Old, Patron Tequila Silver, Alfonso Brandy Light, Johnnie Walker Red and Johnnie Walker Black, Montes Cabernet Sauvignon, Montes Chardonnay, MontGras Reserva Carmenere, Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay, Gossips Sweet Lips Moscato, Guntrum Riesling, Stolichnaya Red, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Pebble Lane Sauvignon Blanc, Elderton E-Series Shiraz-Cabernet, wines from Premier, Citra Sangiovese, Gancia Asti Pinot Di Pinot, Hugo, crowd favorite Rosso Noble Ciocolata, Wente, Pirramimma Shiraz, Angove, Vina Maipo Chardonnay, John Lee Bourbon, Corona Beer, and The Dalmore 46 Year Old, which is considered as one of the most expensive whiskies in the world at P2.5M per bottle! The Dalmore 46 Year Old Australia’s best! More than 123 years after Alexander Campbell Johnston planted his first small vine cutting, the Johnston family still produces estate-grown wines and operates one of Australia’s oldest wineries – Pirramimma Patron tequila was one of the highlighted spirits of the night Philippine Wine Merchants Founded back in 1975 by Ralph Lim Joseph together with his three brothers—Robert, Ronnie, and Raymond—Philippine Wine Merchants is one of the biggest wine importers and distributors in the country with strong market presence in both on-premise and off-premise sales. The Joseph brothers always had a vision to curate the most illustrious wine event in Southeast Asia, bringing together industry leaders and consumers to an elevated experience beyond the usual wine dinner. True to its commitment, the 16th Grand Wine Experience provided a grand scale of overflowing wines and spirits matched with a sumptuous buffet of food for a wine-pairing fantasy described by PWM’s president, Ralph Lim Joseph, as “a wine experience like no other.” Apart from all the “noble grape” wines, sake was also a crowd favorite that night