The Deck’s Wine Dinner with Sommelier Daniel Blais
DESPITE the many events happening in Davao City last week, I made it a point to attend Marco Polo Davao and the Manila-based Wine Warehouse’s “Not-So-Serious Wine Dinner” at the Deck last June 21. What could be more interesting than being in the good company of the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Mindanao, Mary Ann “Baby” Maceda-Montemayor, and her first cousin, Architect Aimee Maceda Aquino who was visiting Davao City. Welcoming the happy guests were Marco Polo Davao’s friendly General Manager Colin Healy, Sales & Marketing Officer Sarah Mama, and Communications Officer Jeline Gison. The Wine Warehouse was well represented by Director of Events Hazel Tolhurst and Wine Sommelier Daniel Blais.
“This ‘Not-So-Serious Wine Dinner’ redefines the dining experience with a Filipino-themed setting. We will take you on a tour into the colorful world of wines from the Rutherford Ranch Winery of Napa Valley, California, USA,” said Marco Polo Davao General Manager Colin Healy who looked cool in a white short-sleeved polo barong. Polo Bistro’s food servers were all dressed handsomely in Filipiniana uniforms looking like characters from Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo .
The Deck’s Polo Bistro’s dining experience that evening was made special with the expertise of Daniel Blais, an internationally renowned Canadian sommelier. Blais conducted a casual and fun wine tasting experience. He gave a short talk on the basics on how to evaluate and enjoy the Rutherford wines served that evening. The wines featured that evening were the leathery and fruity Merlot and the fresh and crisp Sauvignon Blanc supplied by the Wine Warehouse.
The Wine Warehouse is one of the largest and leading wine importers and retailers in the Philippines. It has been awarded for several consecutive years with the coveted Wine Spectator Award for the Best Restaurant Wine List.
Executive chef Alex Destriza and his crew presented such delights as bacon-wrapped potato wedges, Cajun spiced shrimp skewers, grilled mixed veggies, Munich white sausages, Frankfurter sauges, Neuberger sausages, such a tender and juicy roast beef with gravy and barbecued spare ribs which went well with the Rutherford Merlot. His sashimi and kinilaw entries were paired with Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc. Not to forget to mention Olive Puentespina’s delightful Malagos cheeses served with both fresh and dried fruits.
What a night it truly was at The Deck’s Polo Bistro. The Rutherford spirits truly moved the guests. Thank you, Marco Polo Davao, for such a spirited dining experience I truly enjoyed. Thank you, Jeline Gison, for sharing your pictures on this page.