France-Phl ties strengthened with wine and spirits

Tastin' France Manila 2025, held on 7 April at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, brought together French wine and spirits producers with Filipino importers, distributors, and retailers.

The event, organized by Team France Export in collaboration with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines and Business France, aimed to enhance understanding of the wine and spirits industry in the Philippines.

The event kicked off with a market presentation offering insights into the Philippine wine market, followed by a panel discussion featuring experts such as Mathieu Gendre of Winery.ph, Jean-Philippe Guillot of AWC and Winedrop, Simon Côté of Dr. Wine, and Julian Gagliardi of Happy Living. The panel discussed trends and opportunities in the local market, providing valuable information for the French delegates.

In the morning, French delegates visited key retail outlets, including Rustan’s Marketplace in Rockwell Makati and Winedrop Makati, to better understand how wine is marketed and perceived in the Philippines. This hands-on exploration of local retail spaces provided important insights into consumer preferences.

The afternoon session featured a wine-tasting event, where over 100 participants, including French exhibitors, industry professionals, and wine enthusiasts, sampled wines from various French regions. The event also featured remarks from Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France to the Philippines, and Kevin Charuel, Managing Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines.

The French exhibitors at the event represented a wide range of French wine regions, including Alsace, Bourgogne, Rhône Valley, Languedoc, Roussillon, and Bordeaux. In addition to the wines, distinguished French spirits producers, such as Cognac F. Voyer and Famille Cabanne, were also featured.