One night, a thousand pours, zero dull moments. A wine night that refused to stay in one era—who’s ready for the next jump?
The 22nd Grand Wine Experience (GWE) by the family-owned-and operated Philippine Wine Merchants (PWM) was held in November at the Manila Marriott Hotel’s Grand Ballroom—and yes, weeks later, the buzz was still very real. Talk about a night where you drink, you laugh, you time travel with every pour. And you end up with a serious case of I-can’t-wait-for-next-year’s-GWE-itis.
This year’s theme, Time Travel, could have gone gimmicky fast. Instead, it leaned exciting, enveloping, and surprisingly even a tad emotional in the way only good wine—and very good production—can pull off.
From the moment guests arrived, the message was clear: this wasn’t just another tasting. It was a full-on sensory jump across eras, regions, and rituals, anchored by Philippine Wine Merchants’ milestone celebrations—its 50th year as a company and the 22nd edition of The Grand Wine Experience (it would have been the 25th, if not for the three-year pandemic hiatus). No small feat. No small party either.
The Joseph family, masters of celebration
Where do I even start? First of all, shoutout to the Joseph family, founders of PWM, for once again bringing their A-game and making sure this event lived up to its legendary status. No surprise there—this family knows how to throw a celebration, and more importantly, how to sustain one over decades without losing soul or relevance.
As always, the crowd was as multigenerational and marvelous as it gets. From seasoned wine buffs who can wax poetic about tannin structure to curious first-timers a tad nervously clutching their glasses in eager anticipation, everyone was vibing. It felt inclusive without being watered down—an increasingly rare balance.
Before the ballroom doors even opened, the foyer experience had already set things in motion. An LED wall pulsed with a dramatic clock animation—gears turning, hands shifting—signaling the night’s central idea: we were about to cross timelines. A ritual welcome toast followed, glasses raised in unison, gratitude and anticipation hanging thick in the air. At exactly 5:05 PM, the “portal” opened, AMP Big Band launched into a soaring welcome number, and off we went.
Drinks that took me everywhere but Kansas
The evening itself was a whirlwind of vinous voyages across varietals and vintages (my thought bubble: “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore…”), with more than 1,000 wines, spirits, sakes, and beers poured from across the globe—Old World, New World, and everything deliciously in between.
Some personal standouts from the night—because yes, memory matters:
Hakkaisan Snow Aged Sake – Crisp, light, and smooth like a winter breeze, it set the tone for the whole night. Pure, delicate perfection.
Tinto Figueroa 12 Tempranillo – A must-try for anyone who loves a bold, smooth red with layers of dark fruit and spice, rich tannins, and subtle oak. A masterpiece in your glass.
Johnnie Walker Ruby – Rich and intense, packing layers of dark fruit and spice. It was like sipping a memory of fall, deep and warming. I had it neat and in a seriously good cocktail.
Finca Villacreces Pruno (an all-time fave) – A beautiful red that felt like liquid velvet. Silky smooth with hints of ripe fruit and oak—completely unforgettable.
Montes Wines Purple Angel (also an all-time fave) – Bold yet elegant. Dark berries, soft tannins, and a finish that lingered just long enough to make you pause before the next sip.
Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir – A crowd-pleaser. Smooth, red-berry notes with a hint of earthiness that made it dangerously easy to keep sipping.
Daishichi Minowamon – Now this sake was a revelation. Earthy, savory, deeply umami-rich. The kind of drink that recalibrates your palate. Mind officially blown.
Kitaya Sparkling Sake – Bubbly, crisp, refreshing. A little burst of sweetness that kept the energy up.
Mio Sparkling Sake – Light, effervescent, playful. A gentle lift in a glass and a reminder that not everything has to be serious to be good.
Food, flights, and that festive Willy Wonka moment
Inside the ballroom, Marriott Hotel Manila—led by Executive Chef Meik Bremmer—rolled out its Parade of Dishes, thoughtfully designed to keep pace with the drinks. Add to that raffles scattered throughout the night, with prizes ranging from luxury staycations to flights and cruises, and you had a crowd that stayed fully engaged from start to finish.
And then there was that moment.
The Marriott’s chocolate drop. Or, more accurately, the Praline Parachute.
Imagine handcrafted chocolates gently floating down from the rafters in serviette “parachutes.” It was straight out of an old-timey adventure, complete with little treasure drops from the sky. Honestly, a moment I’ll never forget. Think Willy Wonka meets an oenophile’s dream—and yes, it was worth every second of collective awe.
Music, milestones, and marvels
ALWAYS a delightful bonus: live music by AMP Big Band. Timeless, polished, and the perfect sonic companion to a night hopping between eras. DJ Mike Refeer later took over, seamlessly transitioning the evening into full celebration mode.
ANOTHER bonus: Happy 50th year, Philippine Wine Merchants, a milestone they marked with a special video tribute, “A Legacy of Excellence.”. Cheers to half a century of shaping palates, building partnerships, and reminding us that wine is as much about people as it is about bottles.
The 22nd Grand Wine Experience didn’t just pour drinks—it delivered a unified, elevated journey through taste, craft, and time. And if this was the past, consider me very ready for the future.
Until the 23rd GWE. Cheers!
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