Date-Worthy Restaurants at City of Dreams Manila Offer Captivating Valentine Menus
Romance is in the air at City of Dreams Manila as its signature restaurants, café, and entertainment bar seduce with tempting specialties this season of love.
Crystal Dragon
City of Dreams Manila’s restaurant specializing in Cantonese and Chinese regional specialties entices couples to explore the date-worthy set menu for two priced at P4,500++ per person available on February 13 and 14 for lunch and dinner. The sublime appetizer is a trio of Foie Gras with Supreme Soy on Crispy Bean Curd Skin, Five-spice Pork Belly with Radish Pickles, and Deep-fried Sea Scallop in Mango Pomelo Salsa; followed by Braised Sea Treasures in Golden Sour Soup; Crispy Five-spice Marinated Pigeon with Spiced Salt and Worcestershire, and Crispy Egg Noodle with King Tiger Prawn in Rich Aromatic Prawn Broth. The Slow-Poached Chinese Pear with Snow Fungus in Umeshu Sweet Soup and Whisky Chocolate Brownie Snow Skin comes as a fitting dessert.
To add romance to the meal, a complimentary glass of France Chateau d’ Esclans Rosé sets the mood.
Curating the best wine in the Philippines for our community of wine lovers
WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ: PROVENCE’S ELEGANCE IN EVERY SIP
CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INNOVATION: THE ART OF WINEMAKING AT CHÂTEAU D’ESCLANS
At the heart of Whispering Angel’s allure lies the meticulous winemaking process, a symphony of craftsmanship and innovation orchestrated by the skilled hands at Château d’Esclans. From vine to bottle, every step is carefully choreographed to preserve the essence of Provence and capture the delicate flavors that define this iconic rosé.
HARVESTING: A LABOR OF LOVE The journey of Whispering Angel begins with the annual grape harvest, a labor of love that unfolds amidst the sun-drenched vineyards of Provence. Each September, from sunrise to noon, skilled vineyard workers carefully select and pick the ripest grapes, ensuring that only the finest fruit makes its way into the cellar. The harvest is conducted with precision, with grapes hand-picked and placed in small crates to avoid damage during transport.
SORTING Upon arrival at the cellars, the grapes undergo a rigorous sorting process to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used in the winemaking process. Manual sorting by experienced hands is followed by optical eye sorting, where grapes are meticulously inspected for health and quality. Only those grapes that meet the exacting standards of the winemaker are selected for vinification, a testament to Château d’Esclans’ commitment to excellence.
COOLING AND PRESSING Once sorted, the grapes are gently crushed to release their precious juice, which is then cooled to lock in its freshness and vibrancy. Temperature reduction is key to preserving the grapes’ delicate flavors, with the juice reaching temperatures as low as 7-8 degrees Celsius. This process ensures that Whispering Angel maintains its signature crispness and vitality, even as it undergoes fermentation.
FERMENTATION Fermentation is where the magic of winemaking truly begins. The juice, now transformed into wine, is placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to undergo fermentation. Here, yeast converts the grapes’ sugars into alcohol, while the wine develops its characteristic aromas and flavors. Throughout the fermentation process, careful monitoring and precise temperature control ensure that the wine retains its purity and elegance.
AGING AND BLENDING: THE ART OF ASSEMBLAGE After fermentation, the wine is aged to further develop its complexity and depth of flavor. Some batches may undergo barrel fermentation, where they are aged in oak barrels to impart subtle nuances of spice and texture. This methods pertains to the production of a portion of Rock Angel and Château d’Esclans while the two top end wines, Les Clans and Garrus are completely fermented and aged in oak barrels. Others may remain in stainless steel tanks to preserve their crispness and freshness. The final step is blending, where different batches of wine are carefully combined to achieve the desired flavor profile. The art of assemblage is a delicate balancing act, where each component plays a vital role in creating the harmonious whole that is Whispering Angel.
BOTTLING AND AGING Once blended, the wine is bottled and allowed to age, a process that allows its flavors to marry and evolve over time. While Whispering Angel is renowned for its youthful vibrancy, a period of aging adds complexity and depth to the wine, ensuring that it reaches its full potential upon release.
QUALITY CONTROL Throughout the winemaking process, rigorous quality control measures are in place to ensure that every bottle of Whispering Angel meets the highest standards of excellence. From vineyard to cellar, each step is carefully monitored and guided by the experienced hands of the winemaking team. This unwavering commitment to quality is what sets Whispering Angel apart, ensuring that every sip is a testament to the artistry and dedication of Château d’Esclans. It is this dedication to quality that has made Whispering Angel a beloved favorite among wine enthusiasts worldwide, a wine that whispers of elegance and charm with every sip.
CULTURAL IMPACT: A GLOBAL PHENOMENON
Whispering Angel’s rise to prominence is a testament to its universal appeal. From chic rooftop bars in Makati and BGC to sun-drenched beaches in Palawan, Siargao, or Boracay, this iconic rosé has captivated wine lovers around the nation and around the globe. Its pale pink hue has become synonymous with sophistication, while its refreshing taste has made it the go-to choice for countless celebrations and gatherings. But Whispering Angel is more than just a wine; it is a cultural phenomenon. It has inspired a lifestyle centered around leisure, elegance, and conviviality, where every moment is an opportunity to savor life’s simple pleasures. Whether enjoyed with a casual meal or as an aperitif among friends, Whispering Angel embodies the spirit of enjoying life.
SAVORING THE TASTE OF WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ
Whispering Angel rosé tantalizes the palate with its exquisite flavor profile, offering a delightful balance of fruitiness, freshness, and elegance. Pouring a beautifully pale pink hue, it releases inviting aromas of fresh red berries, hints of peaches, and subtle floral notes. On the palate, Whispering Angel reveals ripe red berry fruitiness with a smooth and fleshy texture, culminating in a satisfying, smooth finish devoid of harsh astringency. Its versatility extends to pairing possibilities, making it an ideal match for light, summery dishes like seafood salads, grilled shrimp, or fresh sushi, as well as heartier Mediterranean fare such as herb-roasted chicken or grilled vegetables with olive oil. Whether enjoyed with friends at a casual gathering or as part of an intimate date night, Whispering Angel elevates every dining experience with its undeniable charm and elegance, offering a taste of Provence that beckons to be savored and celebrated. In every bottle of Whispering Angel, one discovers not just a wine, but a story waiting to be told. It is a testament to the beauty of Provence’s terroir, the artistry of winemaking, and the enduring appeal of a timeless classic inviting us to savor the elegance and sophistication of a truly exceptional wine.
Katie Couric is a woman who has always given back — tirelessly supporting cancer research after both her first husband and sister passed away from the disease, even founding the non-profit Stand Up to Cancer with eight other incredible women — and last night, Haute Living was able to return the favor as we celebrated the legendary newswoman in New York.
Couric, who’s about to become a grandmother, arrived at Scarpetta with husband John Molner and was flanked by friends including Dr. Felice Schnoll Sussman, Dr, Allyson Ocean, a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, Kathleen Lobb, her Stand Up to Cancer co-founder, Frank Perez, and publicists Jaret Keller and Tara Halper.
Haute Media Group Vice President April Irene Donelson kicked off the evening by introducing the evening’s presenting partners, Oceania Cruises and Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel. She then introduced Editor-in-Chief Laura Schreffler, who spoke about Couric’s impressive path to charting her own destiny. Oceania Cruises’ Emily Loewy correlated the luxury cruise brand’s spirit of adventure to Couric’s own.
Couric then introduced her guests, many of who are top New York-based specialists in cancer treatment, before guests sat down to a dinner of Scarpetta’s Italian staples.
Chateau d’Esclans’ Michele Wood leads guests in a tasting of Whispering Angel
Chateau d’Esclans’ Michele Wood led the room in a pairing of wines with each course. Raw yellowtail, creamy polenta, beet salad, the restaurant’s signature spaghetti with tomato and basil, Ravioli Cacio e Pepe and bone marrow angolotti were paired with Whispering Angel rose 2022; roasted chicken, striped bass and sirloin of beef were paired with Rock Angel rose 2022; and Chateau d’Esclans’ “Garrus” rose 2019 was the showstopping finish, paired with Valrhona chocolate cake and yogurt panna cotta.
Le Méridien Melbourne invites guests to bask in a sun-drenched Mediterranean summer
Le Méridien Melbourne is inviting hotel guests to bask in the glamour of the Mediterranean, as it launches its sparkling summer program ‘Au Soleil’ on showpiece rooftop pool bar and terrace, Le Splash this December.
Inspired by the brand’s storied history and Air France origins, guests of Le Méridien will be magically whisked to the French Riviera as they ascend to the glamorous rooftop where sun-drenched afternoons that linger long into the evening are celebrated in a distinctly European fashion and endless glasses of crisp rosé.
Framed by a stunning city skyline, the first port of call is the glistening rectangular pool which could easily be mistaken for the gentle, lapping waves of St Tropez. The azure water lazily beckons guests to slide in for a dip or to pull up a chic pool lounge and admire from the side-line.
Yellow and white striped towels and matching umbrellas provide ample Euro sophistication, as elegant, sunglass-adorned guests order refreshing cocktails from the poolside bar. Here, an extensive list of international and local rosé and other drops can be ordered and delivered directly from the comfort of their pool lounge.
Classic poolside games, including backgammon and checkers provide sophisticated entertainment for guests as they await laissez-fare for the magic of Golden Hour to arrive.
A specially curated menu, inspired by the Mediterranean coast offers guests a selection of summer favourites including a vibrant smoked bocconcini salad, zesty grilled corn with sumac lime dressing and hearty Wagyu, snapper and vegan burgers that will satisfy any post-dip craving.
However, the true pièce de resistance is the Rosé Sorbet Sidecar inspired by Whispering Angel Rosé. The superb alchemy of summer’s most refreshing treats: Rosé and ice cream, Le Méridien partnered with renowned social media savant and tastemaker Meredith Hayden to bring the Rosé Sorbet Sidecar to life, in a nod to the brand’s quintessential invitation for travellers to chase an endless summer and create lasting memories complete with lazy, Rosé-filled afternoons.
Inspired by the preciousness of caviar ice baths and the cocktail sidecar, this delightful scoop-and-sip combo is served in a custom-designed glass cone, reflective of a classic ice cream cone, which holds the sorbet scoop. The glass cone then sits atop a stemless wine glass filled with Whispering Angel — today’s worldwide reference for Provence Rosé. The glassware duo is presented with an Au Soleil wooden cradle designed to hold the cone while sipping the Rosé.
Like all aperitifs, the Rosé Sorbet Sidecar can be ordered and delivered poolside — the soft glow of Golden Hour and the icy treat creating an ideal photo moment that simply must be captured and shared.
If the desire for leisurely adventure takes hold, guests can collect a specially designed Au Soleil passeggiata, a self-guided walking tour designed to ‘Unlock Your Destination.’ Taken at a pace that suits the wanderer, guests can make their way through iconic thoroughfares and the back alleys of Melbourne to discover the city’s best-kept secrets and ‘must-do’ experiences.
For those still lounging poolside, they can enjoy the warm glow of the sun lowering over the city, marking the finale to an idyllic sun-soaked day, as if they were beachside on the Cote d’ Azur.
Le Splash will await their return tomorrow.
As Le Méridien Melbourne embraces the sun, ‘Au Soleil’ invites guests to chase endless Euro summers and enjoy chic activities where good vibes (and great Rosé) never cease to flow.
Peering into our crystal ball instead of our crystal decanter.
By Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen
Rosé Is Going Haute
Drinking rosé throughout the year has gone from trend to permanent status, and we will see more and more premium offerings entering the market. We’ve been expecting to see luxury competition for pioneers in the space such as Domaine Ott, Château d’Esclans, and Gérard Bertrand for some time, and LVMH’s major investment in Château Minuty earlier this year sealed the deal as far as we’re concerned. Expanded—and pricier—rosé selections are on their way to a restaurant near you.
There have been many estates in recent years that have tried to push rosé into the premium category, but few have been as successful as Château D’Esclans, Sacha Lichine’s Provence estate that is in the final throes of a takeover by LVMH. To try and unravel some of the secrets of its success, both with Whispering Angel and its super-premium wines including Rock Angel, Château D’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus, The Buyer’s Victor Smart travelled to St Tropez to meet up with global marketing director Paul Chevalier and taste and rate the new wines.
By Victor Smart
“Les Clans reminds me of a Burgundy. Garrus reminds me of vintage Champagne without the bubbles – an old bottle of Champagne that has been sitting there for 30 years,” says Château d’Esclans’ Paul Chevalier.
Château d’Esclans was acquired in 2006 with the aim of making the greatest rosés in the world
Even those who have built a global rosé brand worth hundreds of millions may still hanker for the cachet accorded to traditional, stuffier French wine regions. Thus, as Château d’Esclans nudges buyers of Whispering Angel to trade up to pricier wines in its range, its comparators are not just the likes of Sancerre but august names like Meursault. If that seems heresy to purists, it may be time to recognise that the rosé category has moved from poolside onto serious wine and is now hellbent on moving up the ladder to full connoisseur status.
Château d’Esclans, founded by the legendary American-educated Sasha Lichine, is bracing itself for prestige goods firm LVMH to complete its extended takeover. Already, when we visit the Côte de Provence estate there is a young man from HQ with the demeanour of a management consultant discussing strategy. Who knows, but celebrity chefs may soon be onsite catering for guests helicoptered in from St Tropez.
Global marketing director Paul Chevalier took The Buyer through Château d’Esclans’ full range
But, for the moment, it is still the existing team, such as global marketing director Paul Chevalier, which guides us through the tasting of the seven-wine range. On his CV, Chevalier – who splits much of his time between Florida and a farm in the Pyrenees – has lustrous names like Veuve Clicquot, Château Margaux and Cloudy Bay.
The name Whispering Angel was inspired by a relief of two winged figures high above the altar in the château’s chapel. Rivers of gold have been spun from the brand, originally tailored for the US market where it is the biggest-selling French wine.
The d’Esclans team shows a massive attention to detail underpinned by sophisticated technology. The winery pioneered barrel-fermented luxury rosé. Those wines aged in barrels are individually monitored and each kept at a precise temperature. Meanwhile, an optical sorter scrutinises each grape to eliminate any defects. There’s loads of dosh for investment, of course. But, in addition, another key to success is that a tried and tested approach is applied across a range of wines retailing at hugely different prices, riffing on a medley of Grenache, Rolle (aka Vermentino), Syrah and Cinsault.
One of the Château d’Esclans wines aimed at a younger demographic
At the bottom of the range are two cheapish wines designed to whet the appetites of younger, poorer drinkers. The Pale retails for around £15 a bottle and The Beach for a pound or two more. The first is more urban, and the second more relaxed and poolside.
In the middle of the range comes the phenomenon that is Whispering Angel (£22 retail). This is the staple, of course, made in steel tanks from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle. The sheer scale of its success seems to have been a surprise even to the likes of Chevalier. He points to the fruit, its mouthfeel and viscosity as key attractions behind the “satisfaction” it delivers. This has validated the winery’s basic approach for the whole range.
“The idea is that Grenache is hypothetically our Pinot Noir and Rolle is our Chardonnay, and we blend the two. We tend to use as much as we can of the Rolle which adds to the viscosity and aromatics while Grenache gives us structure and fruit”. Cinsault doesn’t add or take away very much but is a good blender; that grape disappears as you go up the range.
This takes us on to our main business here – the four pricier wines: Rock Angel, Château d’Esclans, Les Clans and Garrus. All of these use estate grapes and are aged in oak for varying periods.
Rock Angel (we’re tasting the 2022 at £24 retail) is around 55% grapes from the estate with around a quarter aged in oak barrels – something that gives it more body than the unoaked Whispering. “Rock has more weight and more length with more rocky minerality. There’s more going on – we’re looking at the Sancerre consumer who wants to change it up.”
For the rest of the wines we move to the 2021 vintages as the better wines takes longer to open up. Château d’Esclans(retail £35) is principally Grenache with about 30% Rolle, but with about half aged in oak and with more time in the barrel. The aim here is more precision and elegance. “Why if you were a consumer, would you choose this?”, asks Chevalier rhetorically. “Because you are into St Aubin or Pouilly Fuissé and hence into specific styles. So you want something more, and there are few other options.”
Moving on to the prestige cuvée level there are two styles. Les Clans (retail £50) is a Grenache/Rolle blend from old vines on the estate and is 100% barrel fermented. On the palate there are pineapple and ginger notes with hints of black liquorice.
Each barrel has its temperature continuously monitored and kept constant
Putting rosé juice into an oak barrel for a year and leaving it there was frankly experimental. Chevalier says: “We didn’t even know how to sell it because it was so expensive. So we said, why don’t we talk to people who understand white Burgundies like Mersault, vintage champagne, or expensive Californian Chardonnays. So it became a small batch rosé for a consumer that didn’t exist in a category that was totally misunderstood.”
Finally, we come to Garrus which has the same basic recipe but which is made from the oldest, choicest vines including a single parcel of nearly 100 year old Grenache vines. With rich, spicy notes and a creamy finish, the emphasis here is concentration.
“Garrus has more power, structure and body. Les Clans reminds me of a Burgundy. Garrus reminds me of vintage champagne without the bubbles – an old bottle of champagne that has been sitting there for thirty years.”
The top wine has variously scored from 93 to 96 points. It has a bold price of £140 which was the world’s most expensive pink ‘un until Gerard Bertrand launched Clos du Temple. How much further can once-derided rosé go in competing with the stars in the old firmament of French wines? We shall see.
Two peas in a pod: Paul Chevalier and The Buyer’s Victor Smart (r-l) with the Whispering Angel cherubs above the chapel
Château d’Esclans in southern France’s Côtes de Provence. (Photo courtesy of the winery)
Bertrand Léon sends free-run juice into 600-liter demi-muids for 11 months, stirring the lees twice a week. That translates into an undercurrent of richness to the already-rich piecrust and grapefruit-pith flavors. The intensity of its flavors should gain more clarity with time, and the wine has the structure to age.
91
Château d’Esclans 2021 Côtes de Provence Les Clans
$85
Every week, our editors highlight a wine that intrigued them in our blind panel tastings, expanding on their tasting note in this space. These are entirely editorial choices; there are no paid placements. Subscribers can also access the original tasting note by searching here.
Provence Should Be At The Top Of Your Summer Bucket List
IT DOESN’T GET MORE IDYLLIC THAN THIS.
By Lindsay Cohn
For many travelers, Provence — the enchanting region that’s bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains — conjures images of sipping chilled rosé in a chic beach town along the French Riveria. But that’s just one side of this sun-drenched destination. The Luberon shows off a more pastoral picture of the South of France with lavender fields and historic hilltop villages. Provençal markets, vineyards, olive groves, and pine forests are abundant throughout. Besides small towns, visitors have the chance to visit lively cities like Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence. With so much to see and do, it can seem overwhelming to plan the *perfect* holiday — which is sort of antithetical since Provence itself has such a relaxed quality. In an attempt to make the lead-up to your trip almost as lovely as the vacation itself, we’ve put together an insider’s guide with standout spots to hit this summer (or in the future).
Wineries & Vineyards
Nothing says summer in Provence like rosé. Luckily, there are plenty of places to sip everyone’s favorite warm-weather vin. Starting with Chateau d’Esclans, the world-famous purveyor of Whispering Angel, and an all-around dream of a property that’s located to the northeast of Saint-Tropez.
WINE PRAGUE 2023, THE LARGEST PROFESSIONAL WINE EVENT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
April 18, 2023 – PRAGUE – The Wine Prague 2023 trade fair, the largest professional wine event in the Czech Republic, will take place at the PVA EXPO PRAGUE exhibition center in Letňany from May 16 to 17. Traditionally, many exhibitors from the Czech Republic and abroad will be waiting for the visitors.
This year, the fair is awaiting interesting news that will be an attractive diversion for visitors, but at the same time it also builds on cooperation with traditional partners. “Of course, we cooperate with a very important professional professional organization in our country, i.e. the Association of Sommeliers of the Czech Republic, which will have its own program at the fair. This year too, visitors will have access to Czech glass of the highest world quality for wine tasting. The partner of the fair is the Květná 1794 glassworks for the second time, thanks to which the participants will be able to taste several types of high-quality glasses intended for different styles of wines. We have newly partnered with the very prestigious San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna mineral waters, which will be available during all organized tastings for winemakers and other exhibitors, as well as for purchase by trade fair visitors, The essential novelty of this year’s fair will be a special tasting zone located right in the main hall, where a number of extremely interesting presentations, seminars and masterclasses will take place. We can already mention, for example, two tastings organized by the National Wine Center on the topic of important domestic varieties under the baton of national sommelier Klára Kollárová, as well as the presentation of the most prestigious still wines from the LVMH portfolio as well as top rosé from Provence from the world-famous Château d’Esclans.
