I've never been a great fan of wine, ultimately preferring vodka cocktails as my choice of social alcoholic drink. However, there are situations and places where I would feel uncomfortable drinking anything except wine. Wine exudes an air of elegance that no other alcoholic drink can match. True, wine has been the cause of many nights of debauchery and revelry in olden times, but it cannot be denied that wine has always been regarded as a special drink of privilege. Wine has also been touted to have plenty of health benefits (when taken in moderation of course) and it has produced the muses of literary geniuses such as Edgar Allan Poe.
Of course, wine is best taken with company to share it with, and with the surge of wine bars and cellars recently, one need not look far to have that elegant wine-sipping experience. Here are some recommendations in Bonifacio Global City that you might want to take at.
Cav at Bonifacio High Street
It is not possible for a Manila-based wine connoisseur to not have heard of this place. In Serendra, "wine bar" is synonymous with Cav, and rightly so. Cav has revolutionized the wine tasting experience, with their unique wine vending and prepaid-charge method. Customers are given a card which they may use to insert into their wine vending machines, select which wine they would like to sample, and in what quantity (sample, half a glass, full glass). Your bill is charged automatically for every selection. Not only is this method incredibly convenient (especially if you want to buy a bottle and have no idea which ones are good), it's quite a lot of fun too. Cav also ups the ante by creating each of their dishes so that they'd go well with specific wines.
Aubergine at 32nd and Fifth
For a gastronomic experience that is sure to impress even the most hard-to-please dates, Aubergine is the place to be. From the gorgeous interior to the attentive waiting staff and of course, to the slices of heaven served on your plate, this French restaurant and patisserie will not disappoint. They are quite pricey, but each bite of their divine dishes will prove worth every single peso you're paying for it.
And of course, if you're here to impress and be impressed, the experience will not be complete without a glass or two from their extensive wine collection. Rose wines, chardonnay, champagne, merlot, you name it, Aubergine has it. If wine isn't your specialty, simply consult with any of the waiting staff and they shall be more than happy to help you choose.
Duo at Serendra Piazza
Duo features authentic French cuisine without the hefty price tag. They are by no means cheap, but their prices are quite reasonable compared to other French restaurants. While Aubergine takes home the fine dining experience award, Duo is more of a laid-back restaurant-bar fusion, only instead of greasy "pulutan" food, you have excellent French cuisine, and instead of beer, you have a vast selection of wines. Its mellow interiors, soft lighting, and wide windows provide the perfect atmosphere for a get together with friends after work. Their dessert surprises are also quite memorable, and their steaks, divine, And as with most French restaurants, their food is best enjoyed with a glass of wine, and oh, the choices you have are comparable to that of Cav's, and that is saying something.
I am by no means an expert on wine, so you can just imagine how intimidating it is to step into an enormous wine cellar and not having any idea which one to pick. Luckily, these wine bars in Bonifacio Global City are thoughtful enough to guide all wine neophytes through the wine selection process-and let me tell you, there are plenty to consider, such as the date, the origin, and even the winery that produced it. But that's a completely different subject and will be reserved for another time.
