It was not quite the Judgement of Paris re-visited but a Thai wine was voted as "best of show" at the third annual Best Rosé in Thailand 2018 competition hosted by The Nai Harn Resort in Phuket on Friday night.
And the judging was not done by just any old judges hauled in from off the street. The panel included world-renowned wine writer James Suckling and his son Jack.
They selected Monsoon Valley Shiraz Thailand White 2017 as the standout, with the locally produced rosé outscoring almost 100 wines from around the world in a blind tasting.
The critics placed it at the top of a list that included French wines such as Château Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence 2017, whose Routas 2016 won last year’s competition, and Caves d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2017.
“I loved the balance and energy of the Monsoon Valley White Shiraz,” said James Suckling. “The tasting was completely blind and we judged the wine for its brightness and quality.”
The 2017 Monsoon Valley White Shiraz also received the award for best value, while the Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé NV received the best of show award in the sparkling section of the competition.
“The Thai wine industry is just coming into its own with a handful of wineries making outstanding bottles,” said Jack Suckling. “The tropical climate is difficult for viticulture, necessitating constant management and nurturing. Experimentation is still the norm with winemakers looking for the correct methodology and grape types to emphasis quality.”
“Rosé wines are the ideal choice for Phuket’s tropical climate and we are delighted to partner with James and Jack to highlight the best in the world,” said Frank Grassmann, general manager of the Nai Harn.
The top 10:
1. Monsoon Valley Shiraz Thailand White 2017, 92 pts
2. Château Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence 2017, 92 pts
3. V&Co. Grenache Pays d’Oc Le Petit Cochonnet 2017, 92 pts
4. Caves d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2017, 92 pts
5. Château Gassier Côtes de Provence Esprit Gassier 2016, 92 pts
6. Laurent Miquel Cinsault Syrah Pays d’Oc Père et Fils 2016, 91 pts
7. GranMonte Syrah Asoke Valley Sakuna Rosé 2017, 91 pts
8. Miraval Côtes de Provence 2016, 92 pts
9. Mirabeau Côtes de Provence Pure 2017, 92 pts
10. Roubine Côtes de Provence Rosé 2017, 91 pts
The Nai Harn is one of Thailand's leading gourmet-focused resorts, while Monsoon Valley is based at Hua Hin and is one of Thailand's leading wine producers.
# The Judgment of Paris was a wine tasting organised in Paris in 1976 by Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant, in which French judges carried out two tasting comparisons: one of top-quality chardonnays and another of red wines (Bordeaux wines and cebernet sauvignons from California). A Californian wine rated best in each category.
They selected Monsoon Valley Shiraz Thailand White 2017 as the standout, with the locally produced rosé outscoring almost 100 wines from around the world in a blind tasting.
The critics placed it at the top of a list that included French wines such as Château Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence 2017, whose Routas 2016 won last year’s competition, and Caves d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2017.
“I loved the balance and energy of the Monsoon Valley White Shiraz,” said James Suckling. “The tasting was completely blind and we judged the wine for its brightness and quality.”
The 2017 Monsoon Valley White Shiraz also received the award for best value, while the Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé NV received the best of show award in the sparkling section of the competition.
“The Thai wine industry is just coming into its own with a handful of wineries making outstanding bottles,” said Jack Suckling. “The tropical climate is difficult for viticulture, necessitating constant management and nurturing. Experimentation is still the norm with winemakers looking for the correct methodology and grape types to emphasis quality.”
“Rosé wines are the ideal choice for Phuket’s tropical climate and we are delighted to partner with James and Jack to highlight the best in the world,” said Frank Grassmann, general manager of the Nai Harn.
The top 10:
1. Monsoon Valley Shiraz Thailand White 2017, 92 pts
2. Château Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence 2017, 92 pts
3. V&Co. Grenache Pays d’Oc Le Petit Cochonnet 2017, 92 pts
4. Caves d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2017, 92 pts
5. Château Gassier Côtes de Provence Esprit Gassier 2016, 92 pts
6. Laurent Miquel Cinsault Syrah Pays d’Oc Père et Fils 2016, 91 pts
7. GranMonte Syrah Asoke Valley Sakuna Rosé 2017, 91 pts
8. Miraval Côtes de Provence 2016, 92 pts
9. Mirabeau Côtes de Provence Pure 2017, 92 pts
10. Roubine Côtes de Provence Rosé 2017, 91 pts
The Nai Harn is one of Thailand's leading gourmet-focused resorts, while Monsoon Valley is based at Hua Hin and is one of Thailand's leading wine producers.
# The Judgment of Paris was a wine tasting organised in Paris in 1976 by Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant, in which French judges carried out two tasting comparisons: one of top-quality chardonnays and another of red wines (Bordeaux wines and cebernet sauvignons from California). A Californian wine rated best in each category.
I'm astounded (and delighted). I've only ever tasted Thai wine once and I spat it out. I guess I just got a dud one. The French producers must be a tad red-faced!
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