The wonderful wines of Italy were the stars of the show in the inaugural ‘The Sensory Experience: A Venetian Cruise’, a private wine-tasting event for owners and potential buyers of Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.

Smart casual and relaxed elegance were the watchwords on an evening that was devoted to the spirit of discovery for the owner-as-oenophile, with a selection of wines not from the priciest reaches of the Italian top shelves but rather an introduction to five wines that guests would be unlikely to have tasted in Thailand before and all representing great value.

The five divine drops were introduced by connoisseur of wines, who talked the guests through each of the wines, shared some fascinating facts about their respective regions and what gives them their distinctive notes and undeniable drinkability.

As the ‘cruise’ steamed along the veritable river of fine wine, the Italian mood intensified when two excellent Opera singers appeared unheralded at the Outdoor Deck, and their eloquent arias and sweet serenades had perfect notes flowing along with the beguiling top notes of the wines.

One lucky guest got to take home the prize: a 92-point bottle of Michele Chiarlo Borolo Cerequio Reserva, a beautiful, full-bodied Barolo and the perfect après-opera tipple, which has been variously reviewed as ‘showing a lacy intricacy’, ‘pure cherry fruit with deep persistent flavor, delicate tannins perfectly weighted and restrained oak’ and ‘a thoroughbred’. Guests reported enjoying a relaxed and educational evening and will be looking forward to the next surprise ‘Sensory Experience’ as the series continues later this year.