Exploring the World of French Wines with Tastin’ France Manila 

The Embassy of France in the Philippines, together with the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and Business France, held Tastin’ France Manila on April 8, 2024, at the Raffles Hotel in Makati. 

The event showcased a selection of wines from various regions across France, and presented a rare chance for local stakeholders to immerse themselves in the flavors of France, explore the variety of French vineyards, and savor the distinctive flavors unique to each region. It also offers a platform for networking with fellow enthusiasts and fostering an appreciation for wine.

Among the exhibitors were notable names such as Loire Vins Domaine from the Loire Valley, Alain Corcia, and Domaine Gille representing Bourgogne, Same River Twice Wines showcasing the Rhone Valley’s offerings, as well as Les Vins de Roquebrun, LGI Wines, Vignobles Vellas, and Wines Tree. Also present were Vignobles Mauve & Co (Les Grand Châteaux) presenting wines from Languedoc/Bordeaux, along with Wines Overload, Les Petit Clos, ABK6 Cognac, and Godet Freres Cognac from various regions.

Here are some of the wines and spirits that caught our attention: 

Same River Twice Vin de France Orange 2022 

Orange wine, a unique category within white wine, is crafted by prolonging contact with grape skins (and seeds) during the winemaking process. This extended skin contact imbues orange wines with characteristics reminiscent of dry red wines, because they have tannin. Contrary to its name, orange wine does not contain oranges. Instead, it follows a natural winemaking process, often with minimal additives. 

Same River Twice’s Orange wine (from Rhône Valley) uses a blend of five different grapes to get a balance of aromatic richness. The wine has a slightly orange hue and a gentle astringency, with notes of orange peel, mango, pineapple, apple, white flowers and white pepper. It’s light to medium-bodied, bone dry yet juicy and creamy with a nice saline acidity on the finish. 

ABK6 Orange Liqueur 

ABK6’s Orange Liqueur combines cognac (51%) and orange liqueur (49%), and is robust and zesty. It has notes of orange zest, honey, marmalade, and orange bitters, and has a golden amber color. It can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but ABK6 Orange Liqueur is versatile enough to be used in cocktails, and especially shines in the classic Margarita. 

Suck My Duck , AOC Languedoc

With its cheeky name and eye-catching bottle design, Suck my Duck definitely drew in the crowd. It’s made with Syrah grapes by Vignobles Vellas and has an aromatic nose of ripe fruits with notes of spices, with a nice complexity and long finish. The catchy name serves a purpose, as this wine was made specifically to pair with duck meat. 

Saint Roch Le Rosé 2023

Château Saint-Roch Le Rosé has citrus and floral aromas and delicate strawberry flavors, perfect for our weather. This lovely rosé made with 50% Grenache Gris and 50% Mourvédre can be enjoyed as an aperitif, or paired with any kind of seafood, salads, or hard cheeses.

Deux Grives Grands Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon from southern France. It has a nice dense nose with intensity of blackcurrant, tobacco, baked spices and a hint of vanilla. It’s a versatile wine that is in such fine balance that it easily matches dishes with both pork and beef and dark poultry.

“Most of the important importers and distributors came and it just shows how French wines and spirits are always attractive and popular,” shares FCCI Philippines’ Kevin Charuel. “I think we had good feedback from the local industry. It was a great event with a great representation of the various french regions with the certain exhibitors who are here.”

“I think when you are a wine lover or wine enthusiast, you always go to French wines, because of the diversity,” he adds. “We can fit any test, any expectations, and any budget. We have some fantastic entry level wines, amazing prestigious wines, and France is pretty good at offering great creative expressions of wines and spirits as well.”  

Tastin France Manila 2024 was a success and has achieved their mission of strengthening the connection of France and the Philippines together. Follow French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for updates.