CONNOISSEURS from around the globe unanimously agreed that it is the Best New World Winery for 2008, one of the highest honors to be given to a winery. We were in for a treat at Makati Shangri-La?s chic Red Restaurant courtesy of Moet Hennessy?s excellent Lapostolle, dahlings.

Welcoming us was Lapostolle wine ambassador el simpático Señor Diego Urra with the woman who put Moet Hennessy on the list of the most popular events and private parties, the brilliant Olga Azarcon and her team. At 7 p.m. sharp, we nibbled on canapés, exquisitely done by Shangri-La?s finest and paired with Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc 2007.

At a sit-down dinner, Señor Urra explained the finer qualities of their French-crafted Chilean wines. Diego amazed us on how they are making the whole process even more earth-friendly than before.

We started off with the first course and downed it with Cuvee Alexandre Chardonnay. No wonder Chardonnay scored 91 points in Wine Spectator, palanggas.

Next was the awesome surprise of Cuvee Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Merlot 2006 complementing the Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Foie Gras and Chicken Mousse. Both wines scored 90 with the Wine Spectator.

For the grand finale, the pièce de resistance was served?the incredible, to-die-for Clos Apalta 2005. Wine Spectator gave it 96 points, dahlings.

It was definitely a gastronomic happening that Moet Hennessy organized with taste, style and the right company, palanggas.

Hawaiian Airlines luau

?It is only fitting for Hawaiian Airlines to finally make Manila a flagship route as aloha to all the Filipinos who have made Hawaii their home away from home. This US state of around 1.2 million people is home to about 180,000 residents of Filipino descent. It is of no surprise that the demand for travel among tourists, relatives and even business travelers to and from the Philippines is constant. No wonder there was no stopping when Hawaiian Airlines held a colorful luau appreciation bash in the ballroom of the so ?in? Renaissance Hotel in Makati, dahlings.

During his early visits to the country, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO Mark Dunkerley said, ?The deep cultural and historic bond between the Philippines and Hawaii is another major reason for travelers to make more frequent trips. Hawaiian Airlines reports a steady growth of Philippine passenger traffic month after month during its first year of operations in the country. This includes increasing bookings for US West Coast routes.?

No wonder PTAA gave the Best in Marketing Efforts Award to Hawaiian Airlines during the travel expo. In the international scene, the company held its status as a ?top-rank US carrier for quality service for 2008,? according to the 19th annual US national Airline Quality Rating (AQR). Now, that?s what namedropping is all about, palanggas.

Even before its inaugural flight from Manila last year, the company made donations to Hospicio de San José and treated 15 children from Children?s Hour, Gawad Kalinga and Hospicio to a short but fun flight on board Hawaiian Airlines.

?Hawaiian Airlines remains positive despite the restrictive effects of the global economic crunch on international travel and tourism. It started out strong in its maiden year in the Philippines, and expects to continue to fly high as it navigates the challenging year ahead. The ties that bind the Philippines and Hawaii will see it through.? Well said by brilliant lawyer and Airbridges Travel president Mike Toledo.

Did you know that Hawaiian Airlines is the only US carrier that flies nonstop from Manila to Honolulu four times weekly and onward to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix, Sacramento, Portland and San José, dahlings?

Impact Awards

Former press secretary and presidential spokesperson, brilliant lawyer Mike Toledo and Justice Undersecretary Jovy Salazar received the 2009 Impact Award for their valuable contribution to the public as hosts of the award-winning legal and public affairs program ?Iyo ang Katarungan? aired over IBC 13. Eight other political personalities received the honor, including award-winning host and producer Marissa Del Mar and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Dinner for Reggie and Stephen

Popular US-based couple, Manila?s lost and New York?s gain, la simpática Reggie Aguinaldo and her husband, young brilliant retired banker, Stephen Young, breezed into town to spend time with their family and close friends before jetting back to the Big Apple, dahlings.

Big sister, statuesque beauty Frannie Aguinaldo and her husband, smart businessman-music idol Ramon Jacinto honored them with a superbly prepared dinner at Monina Schroeder?s Lemuria, with their gang of 14, food lovers that included popular couple Jojo and Henry Zabarte; workaholic businessman Joey and Jenny Leviste; Starbucks? Jun Lopez and wife Menchu Tantoco; bubbly heiress Allana Montelibano; beauty Eva Abesamis and southern gentleman Citoy Lopez; Pete Villalon and Smart Infinity?s super gal Julie Calceller, and handsome RJ Jacinto II, more popularly known as ?RJJ.? Everyone had so much fun, palanggas, that the couple promised one and all that ?we shall be back to our shores at the end of the year.? Which they will definitely do, palanggas.