Why Old School Wine Dinners Still Slay

Life certainly has changed in the past few years, with so many things in flux. It was a surreal day when i read that one of Manila’s most prominent hotels, the Makati Shangri-La, was going to close. While I realize that during those times, in the thick of pandemic, there were many other things to be concerned about, the Makati Shang was such a landmark in the city that one just couldn’t help but be even slightly saddened by its sudden closure. So imagine my excitement as I walked into it for the very first time since their closure to go to a special wine dinner at their grill restaurant, Sage. 

She hasn’t changed much, at least in my eyes—she is just as grand as I remember her to be.  You are greeted by a huge flower arrangement in the lobby, and one can’t help but admire it as you ascend their staircase. Make a right at the top, and enter the elegant Sage—a place I’d rarely stepped foot in, at least to my memory. I was genuinely curious as to what to expect, but I wasn’t surprised that I found the room to be cozy, handsome, and elegant. 

I will be upfront: I'm a wine idiot. While I can talk for hours about food, I cannot say I have put in the same amount of time learning about wines. Which doesn’t mean I am not curious, of course. I do certainly know what I like (which I have been told is the best way to enjoy wines), but well—I cant help but think I'm missing out somewhat by my ignorance, although I truly am a believer in wine pairings, which, when done well, undoubtedly can make magic.  

Luckily tonight’s host is a company who have been importing wines for decades called Unitetris Philippines. They are very passionate and dedicated to their clientele’s enjoyment of their selection, and have been looking into rare varietals and unique flavor profiles. The best part? It’s a family affair—their son being the the other storyteller for tonight’s beverages, and who brought so much warmth to us diners—and that is always a good thing. 

One of the principals of tonight’s special bottles from a wine producer called Grandes Vinos flew in from Spain to set the stage, if you will. I've been to a few of these dinners, in various places, and I have learned that the presenter is actually kind of key to the whole experience: for noobs like me, I find it way more enjoyable when the vibe is more casual. Surely there is an educational aspect to it all, but it needn’t be too verbose and such—keep it light and funny and interesting, because at the end of the day, I’d rather experience it on my tastebuds. 

Sage’s chef put his team in the spotlight alongside him, leaving some of them to create their own rendition of dishes that make sense flavor-wise, and are complementary to the wines (incidentally, a blend of grapes from around Spain, in increasing amounts of aging). One of my favorite dishes of the evening was a dish whose star was a home made ricotta, with seasonal cherry tomatoes, and crisped up prosciutto. It was such a standout to me, light and delectable, and perfect with the accompanying Monasterio de las Vinas Crianza. 

A nice chunky cod was paired with asparagus puree inflected with citrus, the rich fish and puree playing beautiful music together, again washed down with a Monasterio de las Vinas Reserva (aged a bit more than the crianza). 

Australian Wagyu—perfectly cooked—was served with an almond tart and potatoes, and was paired with a Monasterio de las Vinas Gran Reserva. Funnily enough, I’m sure this was the big wine on the list, the MVP, but i found it almost too big, and preferred the younger Reserva. But that’s me, the noob. 

If it is possible, I do recommend reserving a bit of your dining peso for experiences like this. In the hands of reputable restaurants, and wine merchants, wine dinners can teach all of us a thing or two about food and wine. Often considered a “special occasion” thing, I believe wine needs to be demystified more. In some countries, it’s even cheaper to drink a glass of wine than a soda! Plus, it goes with just about anything, IF paired correctly. My tablemates and I surely enjoyed our meal, peppered with lots of laughs, and just really enjoying each other’s company. Always a good thing. See you at the next wine pairing! 

Sage | Makati Shangri-La | Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, Philippines | FB: @MakatiShangrila | IG: @makatishangrila. 

Photos courtesy of Makati Shangri-La