Food | Autumn romance

Autumn is the best time of the year to enjoy the outdoors and there is a little secret in town that very few people know of. In my opinion, the poolside terrace on the 6th floor of the Sofitel Macau is one of the most stunning spots for an afternoon drink. Overlooking Macau’s inner harbor, the beautiful venue allows guests to relax and unwind after a long day, while listening to the sound of wind and looking into the distance, where the hills meet the sky and floating clouds above. There is no place in town I would rather be at this very moment.
While I am still appreciating the exquisite ambiance, Director of Food and Beverages, Gil Santos, comes by and says hello. A Portuguese native who worked in four different continents with people from all around the world, Gil is an hotelier by heart, whose passion and dedication for gastronomy is incontestable. He started cooking at the age of 12 and ran a small catering business from home, after which he pursued a post-bachelor degree in hotel management and was invited to be a lecturer for the leading hospitality school in Portugal, ESHTE. After having had received his diploma in wines and sprits with merit from the most internationally recognized education institution for wines – the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, he joined Hilton Resorts and Intercontinental Hotel Group. Previously, Gil was part of the pre-opening team of MGM MACAU. He had also worked in the catering industry and organized an official state banquet for the President of the People’s Republic of China.
One cannot go wrong with an experienced professional, and to begin our wine tasting journey, Gil introduces an incredible bottle of wine with a romantic story as a backdrop. We are starting with the Minuit Rose from Côtes de Provence, France. The legend of Minuit Rose goes on to say that Martin Maximin, early owner of Château d’Astros, used to secretly meet his fiancée at night in the vineyards. Maximin found the grapes so fresh and delicate at night that he decided to harvest at night from then on. In memory of their early romance, the ritual has been going on ever since.
“When the harvest takes place at night, the temperature is at its lowest. This keeps the grapes from getting damaged and locks up the amazing aromas that could disappear during daytime. These ‘vendanges nocturnes’ as we call them are the secret behind such a delicate wine,” Gil explains.
A fantastic wine that combines perfectly with the warm weather, outdoor life and poolside romance, it is refreshing, seductive and refined, yet easy to feel and to fully appreciate. Moreover, the act of harvesting the grapes during the night is intensely poetic, which gives me an urge to drink this particular wine under the stars during a romantic evening.
Romance is also often linked to fine dining, moving on to the next wine, Gil specifically recommends the Trimbach Riesling from Alsace, France, a wine that is extremely versatile, which can be easily paired with a variety of dishes such as Asian specialties, shellfish, seafood, and sashimi that is available at Mistral, Sofitel Macau’s signature restaurant.
“Riesling is the most emblematic of grape varieties in Alsace. Its delicate bouquet, the fine balance between its dry personality, distinguished fruitiness and natural vitality all contribute to the exceptional richness,” he says.
For lovers of sweet wine, the Chateau Haut-Placey, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France available at Privé, Sofitel Macau’s French gastronomic restaurant, is not to be missed. The delicious and glorious sweet wine hails from the primed Bordeaux region, more precisely from the tiny commune of Sauternes. Sauternes are recognized by the its natural process of becoming sweet through a process called the “Noble Rot.” During the process, fungus attacks the grapes and dehydrates them, which then sweetens the wine and gives it the tropical fruit flavors, honey and sweet spices notes. The end result is a wine that pairs perfectly with light cheeses, zesty or berry desserts. With foie gras, it is a match made in heaven.
With the thoughts of creamy, silky foie gras running wild in my mind, I feel hungry and would like going to have dinner soon. After all, there is no doubt that Sofitel Macau is the place to be for autumn romance and refined gastronomic experiences. Just remember to bring a boyfriend or girlfriend along so that the tastes and wonders of such a remarkable journey can be shared.