(SPOT.ph) It’s no secret that wine is a little intimidating, especially with all its complicated “rules” (red wine for red meat, white wine for fish or chicken, and so on), as well as terms and names we can’t even pronounce properly. In spite of those things, it’s easy to fall in love with this hearty elixir for its complex taste—and it’s even easier to indulge a bottle (or two) since the Metro has a lot of cool places for wine, fit for whatever occasion. Don’t know where to bring your friends or a hot date for a drink? Here’s something that could help.
Here are our picks among the best places for wine in the Metro:
Bondi & Bourke
With their chic and modern interiors, high ceilings (at least at their Burgos Circle branch), and vertical wall gardens, not to mention awesome Australian cuisine, Bondi & Bourke could be one of the best places for brunch in the Metro. Have your fill of their succulent steaks or classic meat pies—but don’t forget to pair them with the restaurant’s wide array of Australian wines, like their best-selling Crackerjack Shiraz or Pinot Grigio.
Bondi & Bourke has branches at G/F Cattleya Condominium Building, Salcedo Street corner Aguirre Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City; and Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle, Taguig City.
La Petite Parisienne
It’s easy to think you’re inside a wine cellar at La Petite Parisienne—their dome-like interiors replicate an underground storage room, with hundreds of wines displayed on racks. Meanwhile, the place’s dim lighting creates the perfect ambience for after-work drinks. They’ve got a wide range of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines, which come from well-known regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Lombardi, and Alsace. If you and your friends don’t have an idea what to get, their staff are knowledgeable enough to choose the perfect bottle for your table. You can also pair your wine with their cheese and charcuterie platters and wide selection of entrées like brick-oven pizza, pasta, and even a juicy steak.
La Petite Parisienne has branches at POS Building, Scout Madriñan Street corner Tomas Morato Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City; and G/F LPL Center, 130 Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
Planet Grapes
Who would’ve thought that wine and Filipino food would go well together? Planet Grapes shows off an extensive wine menu and Filipino-inspired cuisine, which includes gourmet rice bowls and creative starters such as squid balls with curry, and chicharon with tinapa dip. This chill hangout is a good stepping stone for uninitiated wine drinkers, and they've got enomatic wine dispensers that allow you to sample different kinds of wines in various servings sizes—sip, half-glass, and full-glass. Depending on their available wines on your visit, you can try different wines from different regions at Planet Grapes—from Australia, South Africa, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, North and South America. Their informative menu, with a recommended wine per dish, makes it easy to pick out the best kind for your meal.
See a list of Planet Grapes branches.
Monopole
It’s easy to miss this low-key champagne and wine bar right smack in the middle of Legazpi Village. Despite their intimate and cozy space, you’ll be wowed by Monopole’s sleek interiors and long list of wines, some of which are even from the owner’s personal collection. Let your palate travel around the world with any of their Napa Valley reds, Chardonnay, Spanish Tempranillo, and Riesling, among others. It’s the kind of place where you could just drink alone by the bar. Pro tip: Don’t forget to ask for their complimentary snacks, which are great if you’re feeling a little peckish.
Monopole is at G/F Greenbelt Excelsior Building, Carlos Palanca Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
Galileo Enoteca Deli
Italy is famous for both its food and wine, and Galileo Enoteca Deli makes these simple pleasures accessible to the Metro. This deli-slash-restaurant brings together red brick walls, rustic wood panels, mood lighting, and shelves upon shelves of vino to create a welcoming and cozy setup that’s perfect for a small group, or even a first date. Pair their refreshing white house wine with the likewise light Cacio e Pepe, or you can go for their Risotto Milanese to complement their bold Merlot. If you’re feeling adventurous, their wine tasting set menu includes four different kinds of wine paired with cheese, cold cuts, and mixed fruits.
Galileo Enoteca Deli is at 80 Calbayog corner Malinao Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.
Fino Deli
Fino Deli boasts Italian- and Spanish-inspired dishes as well as a wide range of wines from all over the world amid a laid-back and homey atmosphere. Once a private residence, it has now transformed into one of Marikina’s most popular and most romantic dining destinations where you can enjoy a bottle of wine with friends and create your own cheese and charcuterie platter. Though they have the usual wine offerings, like Cabernet Sauvignon, rosés, and Merlot, you also shouldn’t miss their Wine Milkshake, which has two flavors: Tangy-intense Strawberry Merlot and a refreshingly sweet Banana Riesling—don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
Fino Deli is at 151 Dao Street, Marikina Heights, Marikina City.
Barcino
Barcino has been around in the Metro for more than a decade now, but it continues to satisfy foodies with great Spanish food and an extensive wine list that boasts over 300 brands. Heck, you might even consider this your go-to for wine and tapas. Their paella and traditional croquettes are crowd favorites. Meanwhile, have a bottle of Cava, a type of Spanish sparkling wine, or rosé before you dig in, both are perfect for a hot day. They’ve got a lot of sangrias to choose from, too!
See a list of Barcino branches .
Dr. Wine Manila
Dr. Wine Manila may be hidden in one of the side streets of Poblacion, but people still flock here to escape from the busy city and have a bottle or two. It might take a while for you to go through their long wine list, which includes the Grand Crus, arguably one of the best French wines out there, but their bar staff would gladly help you out if you ask. Try their best-selling Champagnes and rosés with any of their specialties, like escargot, foie gras terrine, and cheese and cold cuts if you’re feeling a little bit celebratory. This might be your next favorite wine spot—if it isn’t already.
Dr. Wine Manila is at 5921 Algier Street, Poblacion, Makati City.
The Wine Club
The Wine Club is one of the city’s most underrated wine bars and it's been around for over a decade now. Their tasting room features a cozy and intimate setting, with wooden wine-display shelves and repurposed oak barrels as tables. Have a steak and wine night with your S.O. and order any of their reds from Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley in California. Don’t forget to check out their chalkboard menu, either—you might just chance upon their seasonal Cabernet Braised Kitayama Wagyu Shank if you’re lucky.
The Wine Club is at 101 Aguirre Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
BCN by Rambla
Tapas and wine fans will love BCN by Rambla, a relatively new restaurant in Legazpi Village, which is also from the same makers of Rambla and Churreria La Lola. Besides Spanish cuisine, the place puts Spanish wines in the limelight—in fact, you’ll find over a hundred labels on display in the restaurant’s wine cellar. Get your fix of cold cuts and pintxos, along with a glass or even a bottle of Cava. Most of the restaurant’s wines come from Rioja or Toro, but you’ll be glad to know that they also have varieties from France, Italy, Chile, and New Zealand.
BCN by Rambla is at G/F Grand Midori, Bolanos Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
