When it comes to food and the lessons I can learn from it, Im all ears and palate. 
That is why when an invitation to attend a wine pairing class at Planet Grapes came my way, I had to be there. Planet Grapes never fail to excite when it comes to their wine pairing activities….
STARTER
Chicharon paired with Thorle Riesling 2017
A beautiful “basic” dry riesling with a full lemon curd and fresh herbal nose. Medium body as much ripeness as is good for this category and an elegant mineral acidity that makes for an extremely clean finish
Very crisp and clean on the palate indeed. It complemented the salty and crunchy pork rind that was the chicharon. Funny how my palate was “brainwashed” to pair chicharon usually with beer or coke. Pleasantly surprised that chicharon and wine is not bad after all
FIRST SAMPLER
Antipasto & Grilled Salmon
Paired with Thorle Riesling Feinherb 2017
P1350 per bottle
A semi dry riesling style reminiscent of a dryer Kabinett with a bright yellow color. The bouquet is pure and filigreed as it offers up citric scents of lime and green apples, limestone and a touch of wild yeasts. On the palate, the wine is light with fine intensity of flavour, bright acidity nice focus and a complex finish .
This is one bottle of wine I would not mind purchasing. I love its sweetness and vibrancy. It married well with the taste of the sea from the grilled salmon.
SECOND SAMPLER
Roast Pork & Beef Carpaccio
Paired with Thorle Saulheim Spatburgunder Kalkstein 2016
The Pinot noirs from Saulheim are intense wines which possess exceptional fruit definititon, combined with a richly textured palate, a great length of finish and or brilliant ruby color. The particular vintage characteristics are reminiscent of violets and wild red fruits or berries and cherries.
The wine was strong on the palate with a silky mouthfeel. It held well against the meatiness of the roast pork and beef carpaccio
THIRD SAMPLER
New Zealand Mussels
Paired with Thorle Riesling Spatlese 2017
From old vines, small-berried , fully ripe, healthy grapes. On the nose scents of ripe, yellow orchard fruit and flowers. On the lees-enriched palate this rich and full bodied intense and elegant wine is quite juicy and mellow but also dense, complex, piquant and very long in its grapefruit aroma and lingering salinity
Another favorite of mine, this particular Riesling complemented the brine that was in the New Zealand Mussels. The taste of the sea and the meatiness of the mussels was enhanced by this beautiful glass of Riesling.
DESSERT
Turon Trilogy
I failed to note the name of the dessert wine. The Turon Trilogy was a delight with the sweetened saba, ube and jackfruit combining to make a delicious ending.
Overall….
Planet Grapes did it again. Their vision of combining ubiquitous Pinoy street food with Old World and New World Wines is a success.
Who would have thought that Turon and Chicharon would marry well with elegant wines. It is an exciting and ongoing prospect I would not hesitate to embark on again with friends and family.
Highly recommending….
Planet Grapes is located at Level 1 North Wing Shangrila Plaza Ortigas Mandaluyong City. They also have a branch in BGC at the ground level High Street Park, Shangrila at The Fort, 30th street corner 5th avenue.