HONG KONG, March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
For the first time ever, leading luxury hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza opened its helipad to a select group of esteemed wine lovers for an exclusive evening presented by Chateau Palmer in conjunction with international fine wine merchant, AWC. Just 20 guests, comprising well known figures from business and media had the fortune to enjoy a five course dinner paired with wines from this highly esteemed estate in the Margaux appellation in Bordeaux.
AWC has had a close and lengthy relationship with Chateau Palmer, an estate described as second only to Chateau Margaux itself in the appellation. One of just ten third growths in the region, its wines are noted as being incredibly well structured with a high merlot content ensuring a distinctive style and aromas of warm blackberries, dark chocolate and violets. The estate was famously purchased from its French founders in 1814 by Charles Palmer, a General in the British Army and is now led by Thomas Duroux, an experienced winemaker who has introduced a number of innovative cellar techniques to the chateau.
The event began with dinner prepared by Chef Bettina Arguelles with a menu including spinach ricotta, pumpkin and pancetta filled ravioli, followed by Wagyu steak, braised shortribs with bone marrow, and concluding with a cheese course and dessert. Starting off with the estate's iconic 2005 'Alter Ego', a Merlot and Cabernet blend, each course was then paired with a wine from the Chateau Palmer collection, including the full-bodied 2005 Chateau Palmer, which was afforded 97 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate magazine and the estate's unusual '19th Century Historical Blend', a non-vintage wine that includes a bit of Syrah from Hermitage in the Rhone Valley to approximate what the wine might have been like some 200 years ago. Guests were introduced to the story of each wine by Chateau Palmer's Export Director for Asia-Pacific, Damien Grelat and AWC's Jean Philippe Guillot, Sales Director for Asi a.
Guillot comments: "It was a truly special experience to enjoy such exceptional wines in a breath-taking setting overlooking the beautiful Manila Bay. Chateau Palmer is one of Bordeaux's most exciting estates, with a portfolio that is growing in international recognition, and this dinner was a fabulous opportunity to introduce it to a fortunate group of wine lovers in Manila."
Notes to editors
About AWC
AWC is a luxury wine and spirits company that was originally established 25 years ago by current CEO Stephen Williams. From its headquarters in London and its two sales offices in Asia, AWC supplies fine wine to private individuals, hotels, restaurants, and the global wine trade.
While maintaining a passion for antique vintages, the company's product range is principally composed of contemporary vintages which are capable of becoming the antiques of the future. Irrespective of vintage, the company only trades in exceptionally fine wine.
Internationally recognised as experts in the fine wine industry, AWC's exclusive stocks and services are highly sought-after. The company routinely manages, provides advice on and actively supports wine cellars that are held in chateaux, palaces, grand hotels and exclusive, private residences worldwide.
In 2013 AWC Global PLC, a UK Public Limited Company, became the ultimate parent of AWC's regional trading entities and it is currently engaged in a multi-year programme of expansion into traditional and emerging fine wine and spirits markets around the globe.
As a company, AWC is uniquely positioned amongst international wine merchants due to its long-standing sourcing and customer relationships, its strong brand image, the impressive physical premises of its global headquarters in London, its substantial stock holdings, and its robust IT and operational infrastructure.
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