Issue #15 – 2013
Highlight of the Week
Excellence in Wine
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives received Wine Spectator’s 2013 Award of Excellence for its outstanding wine list. The award is testimony of Head Sommelier Winnie Toh’s continuous passion for oenology and for her enthusiasm to present our guests with a wine selection comparable to that offered at any urban five-star hotel.
Restaurants are recognised with Wine Spectator awards if they satisfy the required criteria, including interesting selections that are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine connoisseurs. To qualify for an award, the list must present complete and accurate wine information. It must include vintages and appellations for all selections, including wines available by the glass. Complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory, while the overall presentation and appearance of the list is also taken into consideration. Wine lists honoured with Wine Spectator‘s Award of Excellence typically offer at least 100 selections.
Toh, a Singapore national, started her successful career as a commis sommelier at the three-star Michelin restaurant Petit Nice Passedat in Marseille, France. Her endeavour took her back to Singapore to work as group sommelier for Singapore’s largest group of Chinese restaurants, Tunk Lok. Before joining Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, her career path took her to Macau, where she was the group sommelier for Galaxy Macau, overseeing wine operations at more than 30 restaurants.
