Just a week ago, I tasted more than 50 samples of rosé in blind tastings at one of the best beach resorts in Thailand’s Phuket, The Nai Harn. It was for JamesSuckling.com’s inaugural “Best Rosé of Thailand” award.
The top importers and producers of fine wines entered all the wines in the competition. All the rosés needed to be available in the market.
I came up with the idea a few months ago thinking about another event in Thailand that could excite this dynamic and unique wine market. The JamesSuckling.com Great Wines of Italy event in December in Bangkok is one of the most popular in Thailand attracting about 1,400 attendees. It sells out in a week.
Thailand is one of the strongest premium wine markets in Asia, even ahead of mainland China, despite a prohibitively high tax structure of more than 460% the value of the wine. I estimate the premium wine market – consumers who regularly pay $15 or more per bottle – is about 900,000 consumers. A third would be tourists visiting the unique country.
The results of my blind tasting were not surprising. France’s Côte de Provence dominated the top spots. The best three wines were awarded gold, silver and bronze. Below are the top 10. Check out their complete notes if you are a subscriber, and click here to view notes and scores for all wines in the tasting.
A party was held at the Nai Harn’s beach restaurant – Rock Salt – to celebrate the event and winners. That’s what rosé is best for!
You can also watch the video on top to feel the vibes and savor the event hightlights.
(photos top to bottom: James with importer reps of winning rosés; James with The Nai Harn general manager Frank Grassman; DJ rock’in it during the ceremonies; all the rosés entered available for tasting during the event; sunset at Nai Harn beach from new Rock Salt restaurant)
Best Rosé of Thailand – Top 10 (No. 4 to No. 10 are listed alphabetically)
Gold Award: Château d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Garrus 2014 97
Silver Award: Domaine Ott Côtes de Provence Clos Mireille 2014 94
Bronze Award: Miraval Côtes de Provence 2014 93
Caves d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé 2015 91
Cibonne Tentations Côtes de Provence 2015 91
Château Cavalier Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014 92
Pascal Jolivet Attitude Rosé 2013 91
R de Roubine Côtes de Provence Rosé 2015 92
Siam Winery Monsoon Valley white Shiraz Premium Hua Hin Hills Vineyards Rosé 2015 91
Terre di Talamo Piano Piano Toscana Rosato 2015 91
