Most people associate Thailand with exotic, fun-filled vacations, and fine food, but never wine. Yet Thailand produces wine and soon we may be able to buy them in North America. Located between latitudes 20 and 6 North, Thailand is a tropical country.
Every enophile knows that vines don’t like excessive heat and rain – both are prevalent in this beautiful East Asian country.
Wine was always imported, and usually from traditional, well-established countries – France, Italy, in the 1970’s Australians made inroads, and now New Zealand and the U S A have captured market share.
Canada’s ice wines sold well until the economy collapsed in the 1990’2 and then recovered somewhat to plunge again in the latest worldwide recessions.
The emergence of a burgeoning middle class has created an increasing taste and market for less expensive, i.e domestic wine. This prompted local entrepreneurs to invest in vineyards and wineries. Chateau de Loei is one of the first Thai wineries launched in 1991. Located in
the northern highlands bordering Laos vineyards were planted by a wealthy physician who actually owns a construction company and a hotel chain including the world famous Oriental hotel in Bangkok.
First chenin blanc and syrah were planed on 90 hectares. Other suitable grape varieties have been planted since for experimental purposes.
In Thailand due tot eh climate, vines produce twice a year. The first crop in February is the best to the dry and sunny weather. Vines start producing new leaves after harvest and bear a second crop during the rainy season. The second crop is of poor quality with low sugar levels and must be blended with other wines either imported or local.
Mold damages and kills many vines. Yet other wineries have been established- Pak Chong 180 km north of Bangkok in the foothills of Khoo Yai National Park, and Château de Shalawan 320 km north of Bangkok.
Thai cuisine is delicious but somewhat spicy, and to North American palates downright hot and spicy and logically white off-dry wines should be more popular, but the population wants soft, fruity red wines.
Presently, there is a shortage of red grapes and wineries import shiraz concentrate from Australia to complement the shortfall.
Expect to see more Thai wines in restaurants when you visit this exotic country, colourful country, with a friendly and happy population.

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Tags: THAILAND, Wine

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 06:00 and is filed under Food & Wine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.