Wine with a big blush

James Suckling, the well-known professional wine taster, was astounded by the quality of a Thai rosé wine during a blind tasting held recently in Phuket as part of the Best Rose of Thailand Awards.

Siam Winery’s Monsoon Valley White Shiraz Premium Hua Hin Hills Vineyard Rose 2015 made it into the Top 10, beating more than 40 competitors from France, Italy, Chile, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa.

A much-loved summer wine and a tradition in France’s best-known beach resort of St Tropez, Suckling felt that these premium wines would do every bit as well in Thailand’s best beach destination and decided to drive his point home by organising the awards, the first of their kind in the region. 

To compete the tasting, key wine importers sent 53 rosés to Suckling at The Nai Harn, a luxury hotel in south of Phuket. The American wine taster “locked” himself in the tasting room for half a day, sniffing, sipping and slurping before grading to ensure a perfect match for Thailand’s beaches.

“I’m looking for the freshness, flavour and balance,” Suckling told Explore. “It’s very hot here in summer and you don’t need something heavy. You need something easy to drink and fresh. When you have the first glass, you want another glass.”

“I didn’t see the wine before the tasting,” he adds, “but I am expecting the wines of Provence to win.”

That seemed a reasonable assumption given that Provence in Southern France is known primarily for its quality rosés.

Suckling was joined by representatives from wine importers, the media and Phuket socialites at The Nai Harn’s small beachside restaurant Rock Salt as he announced the winners. 

The Château d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Garrus 2014 grabbed 97 points and won the Gold Award, while the Domaine Ott Côtes de Provence Clos Mireille 2014 (94) and Miraval Côtes de Provence 2014 (93) picked up the Silver and Bronze respectively.

“The first two wines are iconic rosés,” Suckling said. “The bronze medal winner is from Chateau Miraval, which is owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”

Suckling wasn’t surprised to see the Provencal rosés at the top of the list – after all, he had predicted wins for them. He was however amazed to see a Thai rosé in the Top 10.

“Monsoon Valley is the best Thai winemaker right now,” he says. “The rosé from Monsoon Valley is well balanced, very drinkable and delicate.” 

The American wine taster reveals that he is planning a rosé Wine Festival, probably in Phuket or perhaps in another leading beach destination. Finest wines from around the world, along with the finest food from top chefs, will be the highlights.

“I might conduct a blind test by the beach – instead of in the tasting room – which could well yield some bigger surprises,” he says. 

“When I test rosés by the beach, where the wine is best enjoyed, the results could be very different.”

 

BEST ROSÉ OF THAILAND AWARD

 1. Gold Award: Château d'Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Garrus 2014 (97)

 2. Silver Award: Domaine Ott Côtes de Provence Clos Mireille 2014 (94)

 3. Bronze Award: Miraval Côtes de Provence 2014 (93)

 4. Château d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2015 (91)

 5. Cibonne Tentations Côtes de Provence 2015 (91)

 6. Château Cavalier Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014 (92)

 7. Pascal Jolivet Attitude Rosé 2013 (91)

 8. R de Roubine Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015 (92)

 9. Siam Winery Monsoon Valley white Shiraz Premium Hua Hin Hills Vineyards Rosé 2015 (91)

10. Terre di Talamo Piano Piano Toscana Rosato 2015 (91)