The 15th Grand Wine Experience

CEBU, Philippines – It was indeed a unique experience attending the 15th edition of the Grand Wine Experience at the fabulous Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, beside the Resorts World, in Manila. This year's event was a notch higher from last year's, which was held at the old ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, a much a smaller venue.

The new Grand Ballroom was just marvelous and huge enough to accommodate the 1,700 guests; very comfortable. Last year at the old Marriot Ballroom it was standing-room-only; but  this time around, the setup was very well done with all the wines surrounding the ballroom wall, and the food stations situated at the four corners of the spacious area. The tables and chairs were arranged fronting the stage, for a good view of the performances.

A chamber orchestra played first, then a big band with songstress Chris Villongco, who belted a Broadway number. A raffle draw followed later, with emcee Robi Joseph helping out in the picking of lucky winners.

More than just a night of great food and great wine, the recent Grand Wine Experience was also a trade show for which not just wine and food connoisseurs trooped to the new Marriott Grand Ballroom, but also many food-and-beverage managers of the various hotels and resorts around Metro Manila and, yes, even supermarket managers looking for new wines to replenish their stocks.

I asked Mr. Robert "Bobby" Joseph where the very first Grand Wine Experience was held and how many people joined then. He said it was held, 15 years ago, at the Mandarin Hotel; some 350 guests paid P3,000 for the tickets.

The Grand Wine Experience was hosted by the Philippine Wine Merchants (PWM), owned by the Joseph Brothers - Bobby, Ralph, Ronnie and Raymond, with Bobby's son, Robi. The company handles all the importation and distribution of the wines to the various hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, while Ralph's Wines does the retail business.

Given the very successful holding of the 15th Grand Wine Experience, I asked brothers Bobby and Ralph what could be expected of this food-and-wine event next year. They promised an even bigger event - a three-day show that would feature a Grand Wine Magazine, where participating wine and food distributors could advertise their products.  That would, I agree, make this annual event as the country's top trade event of its kind.

I asked the brothers if it would ever come to Cebu. Bobby and Ralph said to seriously consider the idea. Now that would be something worth waiting for!