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Toast to a new partnership
Source: Inquirer
Author: Jaime Picornell
Date: 2002-12-22
 
A FORMAL dinner was organized by Bacchus International at the Rosal Ballroom of Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort to celebrate its being the exclusive distributor of Chateau Angelus wines. Located in Bordeaux, the name has come to mean more than just a stately castle with its surrounding vineyards.



Here for the occasion was Hubert de Bouard de Laforest, whose family has had its regal seat in this area for seven generations. Suave and exuding fine breeding, it wouldn't be a surprise to be told he is a count or marquis.



With him was Jean Francois Bourrut Lacouture. Perfect hosts on this occasion were Bacchus president Alex Lichaytoo and VP Clifford Lichaytoo, well assisted by their manager in Cebu, Jerico Sungahid.



Fun started at the foyer to the ballroom where caviar canapes and Cattier champagne were served to break the ice. What ice? Everyone knows each other in Cebu.



In full force were the Shangri-La's top brass in Cebu, GM Desmond Hatton, marketing director Maggie Garcia, communications director Neil Rumbaoa, room division director Jeremy Ambler and F&B director Dexter Cheng, who occasionally darted to the kitchen waiting for executive chef Steffan Mueller to give the "come in, take your seats" signal.



Michel and Amparito Lhuillier led a large contingent from La Chaine des Rotisseurs, and they all filed in to the sound of a tinkling harp, near which Teresing Mendezona struck a pose. Seated, she was joined by Pilaring Cusi, and both, upon hearing some lilting Sevillanas tune, attempted to dance.



Dapper waiters poured Fleur de Bouard 2000 with the first course-Duck Symphony, consisting of pat, galantine and smoked breast slivers. Two more Fleur de Bouard (1998 and 1999) were served with the Oxtail Ravioli in truffle emulsion.



Chateau Angelus 1998 and 1996 (ah, excellent!) came with the veal choplet. Everyone wanted to know where to get such tender veal, and the answer was Europa Deli. One look in the direction of Markus Stern and one could see he was positively beaming.



To clinch the meal, there was baked goat cheese and two more Chateau Angelus-1995 and 1994. Portions in various courses were just right, and so one could indulge in the dessert. Three little mounds of chocolate delights tinged with vanilla-scented orange coulis were served.



It did not end there, for everyone was in a happy, communicative mood, made even more so by the extra soothing effects of Cognac Tesseron (1976 lot).



This was a very short visit for De Bouard de Laforest, and so everyone pressed him to return to Cebu. "And you must come to Bordeaux," he countered. Michel and Amparito have already made plans for chateaux-hopping in Bordeaux in the fall of 2003.



Next evening was still a Bacchus holiday, this time at the poolside of Maribago Blue Waters (also in Mactan). EWI Hotel and Restaurant Suppliers were celebrating how proud and happy they were to be the exclusive distributors of Bacchus International's gamut of fine wines.



Hosting were Julie Alegrado and Rosemarie Andres, ably assisted by their manager, Ailyn Pepito. There was quite an array on the buffet table and a long line of Australian and Chilean wines introduced to Cebuanos that evening.



Clifford Lichaytoo and Jericho Sungahid had established the order in which the wines were served. First two were from Chile-the Amisenda Cabernet Merlot 2000 and the Amisenda Semillon Chardonnay 2000. The next two had the Jesse's Blend label from Australia-Shiraz Ruby Cabernet and Colombard Chardonnay. To cap it all was the Chilean Viņa Las Garzas Merlot 2000.



Dr. Nestor Alonso took a sip of each one, laughingly saying he was still in a happy daze from the night previous. Three of the prettiest women in Cebu surrounded him-Iris Fernan Arcenas, June Alegrado Ugarte and Grace Colmenares Lerma.



The trio owns Sol y Luna, an excellent Spanish restaurant at the Ayala Entertainment Center, and they are planning a series of events-art shows, wine tasting, foodfests-for 2003.
 

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