 | Italy-born wine merchant talks about the 1,000-plus grape varieties grown in Italy, a legendary wine taster who rarely if ever gets it wrong and why after 20 years here she has no plans to leave Thailand Born: Trieste, Italy Age: 49 Family: In Thailand, husband, three cats and two dogs; various people in Italy. Where do you live in Bangkok? Sukhumvit Soi 4 Education: Italian literature at university, then attended a management course about food and wine production organized by the Italian Government in 1990 aimed exploiting the potential of tourism gastronomy in north east Italy. Also, AIS Sommelier and AIBES Bartender. First job: Lifeguard |
I started as a sommelier at Zanotti, the owner was the one that ask me to stay in Thailand (I was on holiday) as he was looking for a sommelier for his restaurant.
What brought you to Thailand?
I cancelled a trip to Madagascar; Thailand was the replacement.
Where do you work?
I’ve worked for Texica since 2014 and for Premium Food since 2019. They’re sister companies that provide a great selection of Italian wine (Texica) and an endless international selection of fine ingredients (Premium Food). Hotels and restaurants account for about 90% of our wine sales. Of those, 70% are red wines and 30% white.
Tell us more about Texica:
Texica was established in 2010 for the purpose of importing and distributing Italian wines and also to promote Italian culture through cuisine, music and tourism. We have the largest Italian wine portfolio in Thailand, representing 34 mostly family-owned Italian wineries and 220 different wines using local grape varieties. There are more than 1,000 different grape varieties in Italy, and we cover about 100 of them – some well-known, some less so.
Our key business partners include Ferrari, Bottega, Marchesi di Barolo, Castello di Bossi, Renieri, Li Veli, Cordero di Montezomolo and others.
I cancelled a trip to Madagascar; Thailand was the replacement.
Where do you work?
I’ve worked for Texica since 2014 and for Premium Food since 2019. They’re sister companies that provide a great selection of Italian wine (Texica) and an endless international selection of fine ingredients (Premium Food). Hotels and restaurants account for about 90% of our wine sales. Of those, 70% are red wines and 30% white.
Tell us more about Texica:
Texica was established in 2010 for the purpose of importing and distributing Italian wines and also to promote Italian culture through cuisine, music and tourism. We have the largest Italian wine portfolio in Thailand, representing 34 mostly family-owned Italian wineries and 220 different wines using local grape varieties. There are more than 1,000 different grape varieties in Italy, and we cover about 100 of them – some well-known, some less so.
Our key business partners include Ferrari, Bottega, Marchesi di Barolo, Castello di Bossi, Renieri, Li Veli, Cordero di Montezomolo and others.
Other companies you have worked for in Thailand:
I started as a sommelier at Zanotti, an Italian restaurant in Bangkok, and the owner asked me to stay on in Thailand as I was actually on holiday here. He was looking for a sommelier for his restaurant. He was among the first to hire someone to look after wines. That was back in 2002. After that I joined a wine import distribution company (G Four) for about nine years, then a little “break” in a big corporation, Siam Winery. In 2014 I met Khun Pe (Anusorn), the owner of Texica, and joined his company. I have no plans to move anywhere else.
How good are you at blind wine tastings?
Some wines are easy to guess. Others not so. Only the legendary Luca Martini is near-perfect. He even got it right when the staff unintentionally switched labels.
Is expensive wine always better quality?
It’s all a matter of personal perception – what you like. It also depends on your pocket!!
What’s the future of the wine business in Thailand?
Thailand has the lowest consumption of wine in SE Asia, roughly 30 million bottles a year. Italy is the biggest supplier, followed by France and Spain. In terms of value, France is No 1. Wineries in China are 20 years behind the traditional European suppliers.
I started as a sommelier at Zanotti, an Italian restaurant in Bangkok, and the owner asked me to stay on in Thailand as I was actually on holiday here. He was looking for a sommelier for his restaurant. He was among the first to hire someone to look after wines. That was back in 2002. After that I joined a wine import distribution company (G Four) for about nine years, then a little “break” in a big corporation, Siam Winery. In 2014 I met Khun Pe (Anusorn), the owner of Texica, and joined his company. I have no plans to move anywhere else.
How good are you at blind wine tastings?
Some wines are easy to guess. Others not so. Only the legendary Luca Martini is near-perfect. He even got it right when the staff unintentionally switched labels.
Is expensive wine always better quality?
It’s all a matter of personal perception – what you like. It also depends on your pocket!!
What’s the future of the wine business in Thailand?
Thailand has the lowest consumption of wine in SE Asia, roughly 30 million bottles a year. Italy is the biggest supplier, followed by France and Spain. In terms of value, France is No 1. Wineries in China are 20 years behind the traditional European suppliers.
Thailand has the lowest consumption of wine in SE Asia, roughly 30 million bottles a year. Italy is the biggest supplier, followed by France and Spain. In terms of value, France is No 1.
Can you read, write and speak Thai?
Read more or less, and write a little. As for speaking Thai, there’s room for improvement. To speak Thai properly is on my bucket list.
Most memorable person or persons you’ve met here?
Lek Chailert ( https://www.elephantnaturepark.org )
High points while in Thailand:
So many after all these years.
Low points:
I prefer to look at the high points only
Any regrets:
No
What do you like most about Bangkok:
Bangkok has a special energy. It’s a city that takes a lot but gives back as much as it takes.
What don’t you like?
Traffic and lack of pedestrian areas
How do you relax / exercise?
Yoga at my favorite place (Kriyoga) with the super Indian masters, and golf when I have time.
Book or Netflix?
Book
What’s your greatest passion in life?
Probably my dogs and cats, followed by my job.
Preferred Thailand weekend getaway?
Phuket
Do you have a mixed circle of friends – Thais and foreigners – or just Italians?
Mix Mix Mix!
If you were the Governor of Bangkok for a month, what would be your first priority?
That’s easy - enforce traffic rules
Italian v French food / Thai vs Western vs Japanese food – which wins for you?
I love food, so there’s no winner!
How much longer can you see yourself staying in Thailand?
Very long
What’s next?
Be more involved in dog charities, once I have the time.
Red or white wine for you?
Bubbles
Read more or less, and write a little. As for speaking Thai, there’s room for improvement. To speak Thai properly is on my bucket list.
Most memorable person or persons you’ve met here?
Lek Chailert ( https://www.elephantnaturepark.org )
High points while in Thailand:
So many after all these years.
Low points:
I prefer to look at the high points only
Any regrets:
No
What do you like most about Bangkok:
Bangkok has a special energy. It’s a city that takes a lot but gives back as much as it takes.
What don’t you like?
Traffic and lack of pedestrian areas
How do you relax / exercise?
Yoga at my favorite place (Kriyoga) with the super Indian masters, and golf when I have time.
Book or Netflix?
Book
What’s your greatest passion in life?
Probably my dogs and cats, followed by my job.
Preferred Thailand weekend getaway?
Phuket
Do you have a mixed circle of friends – Thais and foreigners – or just Italians?
Mix Mix Mix!
If you were the Governor of Bangkok for a month, what would be your first priority?
That’s easy - enforce traffic rules
Italian v French food / Thai vs Western vs Japanese food – which wins for you?
I love food, so there’s no winner!
How much longer can you see yourself staying in Thailand?
Very long
What’s next?
Be more involved in dog charities, once I have the time.
Red or white wine for you?
Bubbles
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