WINES SHOW WELL IN CHALLENGE

       For those interested in the hospitality, food and wine industries, last week's Food & Hotel Thailand exhibition at Royal Paragon Hall was the place to be. This 17th interation of exhibits and competitions related to the hospitality industry covered everything from ice carving and flower arranging to a bed-making contest - not kidding - and, of course, the annual Food & Beverage Association of Thailand's wine competition.
       Organised and managed by Bangkok Exhibition Services, the event draws on a dozen local groups and agencies, including the Tourism ministry, whose director, Chumpol Silpa-Archa, opened the event on September 2.
       BES managing director David Aitken termed the five-day event a success, noting that, despite the difficult economy, every exhibit space was sold, making the exhibition even larger than last year.
       Thai wineries and local wine importer-distributors took advantage of annual International Wine Challenge in hopes of garnering awards that may in turn help increase sales.
       Enries were tasted in numbered glasses by a panel of judges and presented in categories according to variety and price, the latter bing called premium if under Bt600 and super-premium if over Bt600.
       The price category is at best specious given Thailand's ridiculous excise on wine, making even the cheapest bottle in the competition nearly three times the price of a bottle of Thai whiskey, but that's another story.
       Based on the competition results, there were lots of smiles from the wineries and importers that chose to participate. Of 80 wines submitted, 48 scored well enough to receive either gold, silver or bronze awards, which is at least an indication that wines were carefully selected by their representatives.
       Thai wineries put on a show of force led by GranMonte and Siam Winery entries, with GranMonte winning five awards, including four for their whites from locally grown chenin blac and colombard.
       Other wines to look for include overall winner Tussock Nelson sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, Swagaroo cabernet from Australia and Chateau Souverain cabrnet from California.
       All winners will soon sport their FBAT award stickers, with most being available at Foodland and Villa supermarkets.