Curious travelers who have been to Thailand recognize the importance of its religious temples and extensive rice cultivation. Few, however, have discovered that the country also produces wine.

In fact, Thailand is a small wine producer, producing 800,000 bottles annually, but the competitive hotel industry with excellent restaurants has fostered a new wine culture. The hedonist's compass therefore points to the Thai capital, Bangkok, to admire a city embellished between the 18th and 20th centuries and now modernized with sky bars and dreamy menus.

Some of Thailand's Appellations of Origin, or wine regions, such as Khao Yai (north/east) and Khao Yai (east), have vineyards planted in terra rossa, or red earth, a product of the alteration of rock minerals that mix limestone and clay. There is also Khao Yai (northeast), the highest region at 1,740 feet above sea level. Khao Yai and Hua Hin, both in the northwest, which appear as a single appellation, represent just over 100 acres of cultivation and are the largest wine growing area.

 

 

The latter areas, Khao Yai and Hua Hin, were the sites chosen by billionaire Charlem Yoovidhya to open Siam Winery in 1986, producing spirits, ciders and wines. Under the name Monsoon Valley, Yoovidhya has marketed several lines of beverages made from grapes grown in Thailand. Wine tours and tastings are available in the coastal town of Hua Hin, and The Sala restaurant combines the experience with jeep rides and picnics overlooking the vineyards.

The second region that enjoys a successful wine plantation for this country is Khao Yai, less than three hours from Bangkok, where PB Valley Estate has been established since 1989. The winery opened in 1997 and, once established, recently won awards for offering one of the most comprehensive wine tours with specialized guides. Lunch or dinner should be booked at the Great Hornbill Restaurant, which blends international dishes with Thai delicacies.

The menu includes cream of mushroom soup with truffles, spaghetti with creamy shrimp sauce, special river lobster soup with coconut juice "Tom Yum Goong", spicy and hot pork - "the favorite of drink lovers", fried rice noodles with chicken and egg. Want to pair? Both PB Khao Yai Reserva Chenin Blanc and PB Khao Yai Reserva Shiraz have won awards; the Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend, Pirom Supremacy has also won medals, and for special tastes, Pirom Brandy should be ordered.

 

 

High altitude flavors

Thailand has more than 40,000 Buddhist temples. If during the day the Buddhist meaning of joined hands and bowing is a sacred greeting, at night it becomes different, Asian women welcome diners to wish them a spectacular dinner.

Located on the 65th floor of the State Tower, designed by architect Rangsan Torsuwan, the Mezzaluna restaurant, part of one of Bangkok's most luxurious hotels (Lebua Hotels and Resorts), is an excellent place to dine while enjoying the 180-degree view of the other traditional city.

The two Michelin-starred Mezzaluna restaurant (it also holds the Michelin Thailand Sommelier award, which is headed by Chef Ryuki Kawasaki). With the idea of offering his guests an original gourmet dinner, he combined the French techniques he had studied with traditional Japanese dishes (Japan being his native country). From there, his creativity and freedom led him to order an exceptional Murakami, a Wagyu beef imported from Niigata Prefecture, a place where this breed is fed only rice, straw and hay. Ryuki promotes sophisticated pairings on the menu: Icelandic prawns, yuzu mayonnaise with Champagne Grand Cru, Maison Duval-Leroy; Arctic trout filet, celery mousse with a glass of Domaine Dagueneau (from the Loire Valley).

Another open-air experience is the Vertigo restaurant on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Bangkok hotel. A symphony of crab (king, blue and white shells); the "Snow fish" dish is served with roasted asparagus, capers, cherry, tomato, caviar - Bourre blanc paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, "The Riddle", from the South African winery Hardys. Before dinner, try the mixology at the Moon Bar - floor 60 - Would you like a Karbi Mule? This drink harmonizes the rice-based spirit Lanna Vodka, lime, ginger beer, and the fresh touch of coconut water.

In the revered images of Bangkok there is a new facet to admire, its glamorous nights and the new wave of wines hidden in the wonderful hotels that offer admirable service.

 

 

 

Bangkok Wine Festival

In June 2024, Bangkok will host the Wine Festival, bringing together wineries and wine representatives from France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Argentina.

bangkokwinefestival.com

 

Market Tours

Bangkok's markets, such as Sampeg Market and Wanglang Market, are unmissable tours accompanied by a certified guide. Crowds of people compete among a myriad of objects, fruits and street food. You can choose to walk or take a tuk-tuk service to get to Chinatown. The choice of snacks is long and includes homemade fish balls called guay jub, hatyai fried chicken, Thai ice cream, mung bean dumplings and herbal teas.

 

 

Cultivated varieties

Among the rarities grown in Thailand is the Black Queen & Pok Dum, known as the Black Queen because of its dark color; however, this variety is rarely used to produce wine. The most widely planted grape in this country is Shiraz, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are also grown. Among the white grapes, producers have chosen to have vineyards where Colombard, Voigner and Chenin Blanc are grown.

 

East Pattaya

As its name suggests, Pattaya is located in the eastern part of Thailand. The infinity of night cabarets in this city of desire makes it very attractive. But away from the hustle and bustle, the region has a tourist spot that is increasingly attracting travelers in search of wine: Silverlake Vineyard Pattaya.

The place is located near Buddha Mountain; it is said that one of the partners who invested in the place is Thai actress Supansa Nuengpirom. It is a rural place with a landscape of wild flowers, in a family atmosphere, enjoying a coastal climate, as the winery is located 330 feet above sea level.

For a longer stay in Thailand, the wine lover should visit the following wineries: Village Farm & Winery, Hua Hin Hills Vineyard and Granmonte.

www.tourismthailand.org

 

 

Text: ± Photo: UTC, Siam Winery, Vecteezy, Banyan Tree, Wine about, Shutterstock, Veecterizee, La Souveraine