viva la vida
Resorts World Genting might be more than 10,000km away from Spain, but the Spanish flair for conviviality is very much alive on a Malaysian mountaintop at the resort’s La Fiesta restaurant. On a recent evening, that gaiety became a jolly party as the vibrant taberna-like space hosted a dinner featuring wines from Grupo Freixenet, the world’s largest producer of sparkling wines.
There is a deeper connection here. The concept for La Fiesta was born from a chance encounter a few years ago between Dato’ Edward Holloway, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations for Resorts World Genting and Jose Maria Ferrer, CEO of Grupo Freixenet. Over a summer in Catalonia and after many, many glasses of wine, a firm friendship and partnership was formed. Ferrer was instrumental in the creation of La Fiesta, and now, a year after it officially opened, he is here again with Judit Llop, head winemaker of the Priorat winery, whose focus on biodynamic and organic viticulture has produced deliciously complex wines.
Case in point, the zesty Vionta Albarinho and Morlanda Garnacha white wines, pairing perfectly with Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns poached in Olive Oil) and Pulpo a Freira (Roasted Octopus with Paprika Potatoes). A spicy Mas de Subira red stood toe-to-toe with a fiery Chorizo al Vino (Chorizo in a Red Wine reduction), while Llop’s ‘baby’ – the syrupy and expressive Morlanda Garnacha Tinta – accompanied that most Spanish of dishes, an al dente Pork and Chicken Paella. And because Freixenet brand is synonymous with cava, and glasses of the Spanish sparkling wine lubricated the entire evening, from the pre-dinner cheese reception to a dessert of Crema Catalan and an raucous after-party at RedTail by Zouk. At one point, diners were challenged to drink vino one-handed through a traditional porron; a task that many took up with gusto. Spain might be half a world away, but its festive spirit is very much present in Genting.
