When the mood is romance and you are at the right place with your loved one, what more can one ask, except for the matching spirit (pun intended)? Here are some of the most romantic settings accompanied with the best of wines…

Eiffel Tower fine restaurant wine experience – Paris, France 

Bejeweled Paris spread out gloriously below our fascinated gaze and we felt honoured to toast the romantic setting at this world renowned, award winning fine wining and gastronomy landmark, atop the iconic Eiffel Tower -The Restaurant Jules Verne.

We ushered in exalted moments with a finely picked Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’OR with its superb walnut, apricot and peach flavours, facilitated with spicy notes of pepper and light ginger! We toasted to the fine moments and the stunning panoramas from this privileged space, as our sommelier uncorked a crisp Pinot Noir, -Maison Albert BichotNuitsSaint-Georges with a thrilling tobacco, cedar wood and dark chocolate aromas. “C’est la vie”, we murmured.

Only one-of-its-kind Carrara marble caves wine experience – Italy 

Tailor made for our privilege, this most exotic wine tasting experience in the world was capped within the massive depths of the 2500-year-old giant Carrara Marble caves atop the perilous summits of Massa, Versilia in coastal Toscana. It was a rare, once-in-a-lifetime romantic oenophilic celebration ushered in by a five star chef.

The splendid Limited Edition Lorieri Vermentino Reserve white played magic with distinct pineapple, nectarine and green apple flavours, honouring
the cliffhanger boutique Lorieri vineyards. We swirled and quaffed a grand Renieri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG from Toscana, the striking aromas of pencil lead, vanilla and tobacco leaf adding excitement to light cigar box flavours going onto characteristic pepper and clove.

Luxurious BurjAl Arab wine expereince- Dubai, UAE

Al Muntaha-Burj Al Arab, Dubai. (Photo Source: Jumeirah.com)

The all glass express elevator spanning the Arabian Gulf zipped us to one
of the finest, award-wining fine wining and dining restaurants in the world, at the most luxurious seven star hotel in the world.The spectacular ocean views embraced the whole restaurant in it’s panoramic clasp. We were at the distinguished French fine dining address -AlMuntaha at The Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Our privileged wine experience opened up with a thrilling Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Special Cuvee Brut DOC from Italy, the ripe golden apple and acacia bouquets uplifting our mood. The lingering citrus finish was a climax to the grand views.

As sunset brought in langorous shades, we ascended to a cheery Banrock Station Chardonnay from South Australia, with fresh peach and pear aromas, vanillin and summery fruit flavours. The seamless views complemented our wine sojourn with expansive affirmation.

Exclusive Game Reserve bush pool deck wining experience – South Africa 

Deep inside the well ensconced estates of the Thanda Private Game Reserve in Hluhluwe, we took in the grand winter sunset tones across South African Bush country on our safari lodge pool deck. A superlative Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc heralded the evening as rambling big cat growls and elephant trumpets resonated far in the wilderness. As mellow glows bowed to us, we quaffed the gentle citrusy, white lily and pineapple flavours of the wine with bush charcoal barbecue delights.

Exclusive Lagoon Resort island bar wine experience -Fiji

Ultramarine cavorts with seductive Prussian blues on gentle lapping Pacific at this most unique island lagoon bar of Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo Island. Balmy breezes lilted our mood at this on-the-water paradise.Our choice for that evening was- a fine, medium bodied vintage Framingham Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand with Fijian tidbits on the offer. The silky tannins and well balanced flavours of black cherry, light cinnamon and black truffles pronounced a superb wine.

Mind stilling panoramas of the lagoon and beyond mesmerised our senses as we walked to the tiny island’s edge to cheer a marvellous theatrical closure of yet another fine sunset. Vinaka.

Intimate ‘Machan’ Treetop wine evening – India 

Canopied by giant branches and trunks, surveying a serene lake and mellow glows, we sat ourselves at the elevated table-for-two “Machan” tree top grills dining landmark at the award winning Evolve Back Luxury Resort in Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka.

As a provocative winter chill teased us, our vintage Barton & Guestier Reserve Merlot from southern France opened out fine coffee and cocoa aromas, hints of chocolate, driftwood and oak enticing us. Soft candle glows lit up our mood as we toasted with an earthy Donnafugata Sedara IGT Sicilia red with fine Nero D’Avola features of medium bodied tannins, spices and leather finish.

On the meandering, pristine Kabini River bordering the world famous Nagarhole Game Reserve -Karnataka, our exclusive Rice Boat sunset sojourn hosted by the eco-sensitive multi-award winning Evolve Back Luxury Resort Kabini opened up with a marvellous Chateau Los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile with mint, spice and cigar box flavours. The cedar wood flavours lent a fine accompaniment to the tan leather and tobacco notes.

Deep mauve tones stretched across the distant hills of Waynad, the wine heralding a romantic concerto of fine balance. A super Spanish Solar Viejo Tempranillo from Rioja capped it all on the river banks, as tribal pipes played a melodious folk tune…the wine’s raspberry and strawberry aromas lighting up the night.”

World’s highest dazzling luxury bar wine experience – Hong Kong

The music was retro jazz and instrumentals. The views were jaw dropping and spectacular. Hong Kong’s celebrated Victoria Harbor stretched below us and from the world’s highest luxury lounge bar -Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.We felt honoured and very special. Romancing the views were our goblets of a wonderful Argentinian Pampas Del Sur Chardonnay-Chenin with fruity bouquets, peach, plum and a floral palate.

The vistas of the sparkling neon-lit city opening below us were grand reason to go onto a delightful Austrian-Kamptal Schloss Gobelsburg Zweigelt red wine with musky peppery flavours and Alpine wood bouquets. That was high altitude privilege for us!

Super luxury yacht sunset bespoke wine experience -Australia 

Setting sail from tiny Port Douglas in northern Queensland into the grand blue expanse of the Pacific, our luxury yacht lifted over the waves to a gentle cruise. Our skipper uncorked a well picked Wolf Blass Bilyara Chardonnay for us, fine Australian cheddar singing along.

As the sun went into voluptuous mauve and maroon shades, the wine’s spicy oak, white peach and nectarine thrills on our taste buds created a romantic stir. Taking in the cool breeze, we raised a toast with aplomb to the Australian spirit.