The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort is located in the Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane journey from Male, in the Maldives. It is not the place that you would expect to go to get an education in fine wine, but their innovative overwater wine cellar has changed all that.The wine academy is one of the first of its kind and combines not only an impressive selection of fine wines, but also a design that is visually breath taking. It is suspended abovethe crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, allowing you to enjoy the view throughout your expert wine tasting sessions.
The overwater cellar has a team of well-trained sommeliers on hand to guide you through their extensive selection of wines that comprises of almost 2,000 bottles and span 80% of the world’s wine regions. With suggestions, pairings and lessons on wines from their impressive library of vintages dating back to 1982, the wine cellar houses some truly exceptional producers and unexpected gems. With this in mind, each wine has been carefully selected so that the tastes and palettes of the resort’s international clientele can be satisfied.
If you are a true connoisseur and wish to learn more, then the wine academy also offers exclusive lessons where you can not only sample the wines, but also discuss the importance of glassware, storage, serving and pairings. These private events go beyond traditional tastings to offer a frank and honest conversation about the best ways to sample wines. This more formal session is of course accompanied by fantastic food pairings to offer an incredible taste adventure.Some of the carefully chosen pairings available include 2011 False Bay Vineyards Rose with fresh strawberries, NV Moet & Chandon served in a champagne glass with Claire De Lune Oyster, NV Moet & Chandon served in a red burgundy glass with assorted roasted nuts, 2012 Penfolds Koonunga Hill served in a Chablis glass with smoked salmon canapé, 2009 Cossetti Barbera D’asti Doc served with beef bresaola, NV Trivento Birds & Bees Sweet Wine with spicy chicken supreme & chocolate macaroon.
If the wine academy sounds a bit to heavy for your luxury vacation in the sun, then perhaps the wine cellar dinner is more suitable. The 8 course dinner is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the wine cellar from its location over looking the ocean, whilst sampling some of its finest old and new world wines. This is perhaps more in keeping with the wine ‘lovers’ rather than buffs of the group, but still offers a fantastic sample of fine wines and an unbeatable taste of local produce. The wine pairings for example, are inspired by the freshest of produce including dishes of the finest Australian Blackmore Beef, to Line caught Tuna infused with Himalayan Black salt and fresh vegetables from the markets of Bangkok.
With exquisite wine master classes in both world renowned wine, as well as wine from boutique vineyards, placed alongside a unique gourmet experience of the highest culinary standard, all set to the backdrop of the remote islands of the Indian Ocean, what more could you want from a gourmand holiday in the sun?
P.O. Box 2036 Malé
Noonu Atoll
Republic of Maldives
+960 656 0591