Sip and learn at Wine Drop

Mention “wine tasting,” or the year of its fermentation, and luxury and price come to mind. Vineyard-manufactured wines, after all, are on the pricey radar. But that’s exactly what Wine Drop wants to address and make wine-drinking an inclusive hangout.

Wine Drop, the latest creation of the team behind AWC Philippines led by Wine Connoisseur Jean Philippe Guillot is a tasting space in San Juan with top-of-the-line vinos from France, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States—all direct imports from different parts of the world. 

A retail shop from the vast wine collection of wines that AWC PH concocted, Wine Drop also offers craft spirits, local craft beer, Belgian beer as well as gift items for wine lovers, such as cork screws, wine glasses, and decanters — an actual rabbit hole for wine enthusiasts. And to top the gastronomic experience, there are also items from Txanton, a brand known for its well-curated Spanish delicacies like Jamon Iberico de bellota and Chorizo Iberico de Bellota. Complete it with their small bites that perfectly go with the array of spirits found inside the little nook — pâtés, finger food, rillettes, products from Deli by Chele and pastries — and you’re good to go!

A home away from home

With a tasting table present at their shop, everyone can opt to order some of their premier wines, available at all price ranges that your wallet can handle. Fit for around 12 persons, the long wooden spread is the perfect barked reunion after the long wait brought about by the p*ndemic. (Yes, the censoring is necessary. We’re all tired.) 

Apart from the cozy look and the vast display of wine bottles from different continents, it’s also home to the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff. If not for their supremely delectable choices of wines, Wine Drop also takes pride with the people who run it, helmed by Joey Lucio of AWC Philippines, a Mathematics graduate who has an extensive and elaborate niche in vino talk. Ask her one thing and she’ll end up answering it with various branches of knowledge. What better drinking companion than someone who can take you somewhere far? 

A full gastronomic experience

Food choices are also very generous. Curated by French masterchef Cyrille Soenen, the pâté en croute, pork rillettes, pâté de campagne, pork head pâté and parmesan flan are just a few of their well-known choices. Soenen is also big outside Wine Drop and has his on takeaway brand called CiÇou á la Maison. Available here is their roasted chicken, good for six to eight persons, or the whole roasted turkey, good for 10 to 15 persons, or their whole lechon de leche, stuffed with kielbasa sausage and mushroom.

You can also order his famous kouign amann, the French layered pastry sumptuously led by the star ingredient: butter. He also offers vacuum-packed classic French delicacies like foie gras terrine and cassoulet—perfect for your noche buena spread.

Lounge with ease

For those who wish to enjoy their vinos in the comfort of their homes, Wine Drop also found a way to adjust to the current set-up. You can opt to have the wines and food dropped off at your home, or you can even have these sent out as gifts. 

Wine Drop also has options for pretty gift boxes for one, three or six bottles. If you want to just gift someone with two bottles plus jamon and pate, they can arrange that for you, too. They can also accommodate multiple deliveries if you are looking to send out gifts this Christmas season. 

All in all, Wine Drop sounds like the perfect medicine for us who wish to keep it low-key this holiday season, sans restricting the quality of the wine and food we’re spending on. What can be better than getting more than what you bargained for, right?

For inquiries and orders, call Wine Drop at 0956-1887548 or 8671-9125, or visit their website for a complete product list.

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Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like  Wine Drop.