Monsoon Valley - New Latitude Wines!

The drinking culture here has always been beer and spirits. If I say Chang Beer, Singha Beer, you’d probably guess that I’m about to talk about Thailand. A country located in the Centre of Indochina Peninsula, bordered by Cambodia to the south-east, Myanmar to the west, Malaysia to the south, and Laos to the east. It was in the 1960s that saw the first plantation of grapes in the country however, those were table grapes. Being a tropical climate lies between 5° and 20° latitudes in the north and understanding the potential of the wine business in the country a lot of vignerons have started cultivating Vitis vinifera grapes since three decades. One this is however similar to here in India i.e. being close to the equator, there is no vine dormancy and minimal diurnal temperature variation.

@Hua Hin Hills Monsoon Valley Vineyard.

Dr. Chaijudh Karnasuta is regarded as the Father of the Thailand grape industry. He was among the first ones to plant wines at Chateau de Loei in 1991 (harvested in 1995). PB valley winery planted their vineyards in 1992 followed by Chateau des Brumes in 1997 and Grand Monte in 1999.

There are four recognized wine regions in Thailand which are: 

• Northern Thailand
• Khao Yai Valley
• Chao Phraya Delta
• Hua Hun Valley

Northern Thailand: Being the northernmost region in Thailand, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Dornfelder, and Durif are planted here in the majority. Home of Chateau Shala winery which lies in the Phichit province located at 300 meters above the sea level and Mae Chan winery near Chaing Rai. The region is located at approximately 17° to 18° latitudes with mostly clay loam soil. Temperature generally drops down to 12° C at night.

Khao Yai Valley: This region is known as a traditional wine-growing region of Thailand. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Tempranillo in reds thrive well here whereas Chenin Blanc and Colombard in whites. Wineries like PB and Granmonte are located here at 300 to 350 meters above the sea level. Being at 14° latitude in clay loam soil, the vineyards tend to have a temperature of around 15° to 20° C during harvest for a winery called Chateau des Brumes which is located in the extreme eastern boundaries of the country (500 meters above the sea level)

Chao Phraya Delta: Located in the most southerly region is a home for Siam winery which produces Monsoon Valley wines. Geographically the region is situated at 14° latitude, enjoying a climate of 18° to 22°C during harvest. The region is known to produce Shiraz in reds and Chenin blanc and Colombard in whites.

Hua Hin Valley: Vineyards are based on loamy sand and slate, benefitting from the ocean breeze is a great place for growing international grape varieties like Viognier, Muscat, Chenin Blanc, and Colombard for whites and Shiraz and Sangiovese for red. The region has got famous because of some award-winning aromatic wines were recognized from the Monsoon Valley’s portfolio. 

@Map Courtesy - Cellar Asia.

Chalerm Yoovidhya, the owner of the iconic Red Bull company started ‘Siam winery’ in 1986. He launched a Spy wine cooler (low abv. Wine based drink with Thai spices). Soon he realized that there is a palate for wine in the country. His aim was pretty simple; he wanted to make wine for the domestic and tourist market. In 1997, Laurent Metge-Toppin an oenologist was appointed for this task from Montpellier (France). In 2001, Monsoon Valley winery had planted its first vineyards in Tab Kwang province of Khao Yai. The excellent climatic condition and surrounded by wildlife so the soil to be fertile red benefits Shiraz. The wines were started to be recognized at the “New latitude wines”.

In 2002, vines were planted in Petchburi in the Hua Hin area. Surprising the quality of the grapes seems to be pretty good because of which they started to look for good terrior and managed to find one in Baan Khork Chang, (a pristine valley 35km away from Hua Hin Beach). The land was a former elephant coral. This is where Monsoon valley wineries top vineyards are located from which they procure Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Sangiovese, and Shiraz. Currently, they also planted Dornfelder, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

@Monsoon Valley, Flagship Range Brut Blanc de Blanc.

The winery labels a series of wines called “Classic”, “Premium”, “Signature” and “Flagship” which are procured from Tab Kwang in Khao Yai, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai province which is the most northern vineyards planted in 2013. Almost 350,000 bottles are produced every year.

The winery has awarded ‘Brand of the year’ at the World Branding Awards in 2017-18 and also have awarded gold for its “Premium” wines in 2015.

Article by – Ranjit Shirke, Certified Sommelier.