Wine Director Nicolas Laguette discusses the creation of an exceptional wine program in the Maldives.
By The World of Fine Wine Team
In the first installment of a series that delves into the success stories of some of the winners of the 2024 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core, shares insights on how he and his team curated the Best All-Inclusive Wine List in Asia at Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.
What significance does winning a WBWL award hold for you at The Ozen Collection?
This truly marks the pinnacle of recognition after enduring over six years of hearing that “it’s simply not achievable.” As a fully all-inclusive collection of resorts in the Maldives, we navigate the complexities without any hidden clauses or time constraints on the beverage selections available to our guests. The journey toward reaching such a distinguished level of wine excellence posed several significant challenges.
Our deepest gratitude goes to The World Of Fine Wine for their forward-thinking initiative in introducing the Best All-Inclusive Wine List award category this year, marking its debut since the awards began in 2014. Though still in its early days on a global scale, this category is poised to become highly competitive in the future. The experience of wine transcends to an entirely new level when pricing is no longer a consideration; guests find themselves on a journey around the world, one sip at a time. They can savor exquisite vinous masterpieces crafted by renowned winemakers while also exploring the terroir through the distinct expressions of wine gathered from the most remote regions possible.
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What are you hoping to achieve with your list at The Ozen Collection?
Our goal is to provide an unforgettable wine experience for our guests who come from all corners of the globe. Everyone has their own preferences, and the diversity of options is arguably the most crucial element in crafting a world-class wine selection that caters to all. We strive diligently to ensure that every visitor can savor traditional wines, commercial selections, terroir-focused offerings, rustic varieties, and even unearth new favorites—ultimately, luxury lies in having a multitude of choices.
At The Ozen Collection, our mission is to grant all our guests a genuine experience while aiding them in their exploration of the wine world. We accomplish this by presenting the familiar labels they cherish alongside a variety of bottles sourced from different regions. For instance, a guest who loves a Torrontés from Argentina might also appreciate a Spanish Albariño; hence, we aim to create that tasting opportunity. Similarly, if a guest chooses a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, we would enhance their experience with the chance to try the native grape variety Marmajuelo from Tenerife—once again, I emphasize that luxury is found in having choices.
What do you consider the greatest strength of your wine selection at The Ozen Collection?
The greatest advantage of our selection is its variety and richness, particularly given its All-Inclusive framework. Beyond offering terroir-driven wines from boutique producers, we also feature champagne, Marchesi Antinori, and Cotes de Provence in the all-inclusive minibar available in each of our villas at The Ozen Collection properties, which includes one refill daily. As a result, when it comes to prestigious wines, guests can already enjoy them within the comfort of their own rooms.
We personally handle the import of all our wines, sourcing them directly from wineries spanning the globe. Only about 5% of our wine selection comes from third-party suppliers in Malé; the remaining 95% is acquired through established partnerships with wineries, allowing us to manage all logistics ourselves. Moreover, our focus is solely on providing wine for our own resorts, and we do not distribute to external properties, enabling us to create a uniquely tailored wine experience.
By maintaining complete control over our wine import process, we have spent the past three years cultivating our In-House wine culture. This initiative involves collaborating with family-owned wineries renowned for their commitment to terroir and their passion for their craft. As a result of this program, we proudly became the first to import and serve Canary Wine in the Maldives, sourced directly from a fifth-generation producer based in Spain’s Canary Island of Tenerife. In addition, with the unwavering support from our Canary Wine partner, Bodegas Viñátigo, we launched our “In-Vineyard” concept in 2023 and 2024. This program enables our resort F&B staff to embark on a week-long wine experience in Tenerife. Inspired by this success, we are also working with our Champagne partner and fourth-generation producer from the premier cru village of Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ, Champagne Guy Charbaut, to create similar opportunities. Through these remarkable wine expeditions to Spain and France, our team members emerge as true wine storytellers, sharing their captivating experiences with our resort guests.
What are three wines on your list that you feel best represent what you’re trying to do at The Ozen Collection?
For white wine, I would confidently recommend a label from Spain, as I believe Spain stands out as the most underrated wine region globally. We have worked diligently to elevate the profile of Spanish wines at The Ozen Collection.
From Tenerife, Bodegas Viñátigo’s Malvasia Aromática—Canary Wine composed entirely of 100% Malvasia Aromática—was actually Shakespeare’s preferred wine, noted in several of his works. The British Royal Family compensated him in part with barrels of this wine shipped straight from Tenerife. The UK imported such vast quantities of wine and other products from the Canary Islands that a dedicated port in London was established, aptly named Canary Wharf.
For a remarkable rosé, you cannot overlook Guy Charbaut’s Rosé Brut 1er Cru NV from Champagne. This exceptional wine is our welcome pour at The Ozen Collection. Its remarkable success can be attributed to its unique maceration process. Comprising 90% Pinot Noir, the vibrant pink hue is derived from a brief 6-hour maceration of crushed dark grape skins mixed with white grape juice. This technique not only extracts delightful berry flavors but also creates a luscious texture. To achieve balance, 10% Chardonnay is blended in for a refreshing finish and elegance… truly, finding a Champagne better suited for the Maldives would be a challenge!
Red wine presents a bit of a challenge in the Maldives due to the climate which tends to favor white and rosé wines; in fact, red wine constitutes less than 20% of our total wine consumption at The Ozen Collection. Nevertheless, it plays a crucial role in our fine-dining offerings, making it essential to curate a thoughtful selection of red wines. Our standout red wine undoubtedly comes from Stellenbosch: Glenelly Estate’s Lady May.
This year, May de Lencquesaing, the estate’s owner, celebrated her 99th birthday and remains as engaged and active as always. Born into one of Bordeaux’s most esteemed wine families, she inherited Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in her 50s. Over the course of 30 years managing the estate, she guided it through some of the most challenging yet rewarding vintages. In her 70s, with a remarkable career in winemaking behind her, she sold her Bordeaux château and embarked on founding a new winery in Stellenbosch. Unbound by the rigid Bordeaux winemaking traditions, May sought to express her creativity and capture the true essence of the same grape varietals her family had cultivated for generations. After careful soil analysis, she planted the vineyard from scratch, aiming to harness the inherent strength of South Africa’s distinguished wine terroir to cultivate the finest expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Lady May, named in her honor, reflects a lifetime of her experiences and aspirations. Since its inception, it has garnered worldwide recognition and numerous international accolades.
What wine and food pairing do you cherish most from your establishment’s offerings?
Since 2021, we have had the pleasure of welcoming winery owners and winemakers from our wine partners to our resorts in the Maldives each year. They provide authentic wine experiences for our guests while also offering hands-on training for our team. Our signature dessert, the Charbaugato, was created during the first Champagne Guy Charbaut Masterclasses and has become a culinary landmark at The Ozen Collection. This unique take on the classic affogato invites guests to pour Champagne Guy Charbaut Croquantine Demi-Sec into a coupette glass over a scoop of tropical fruit sorbet—ideally mango with a sprinkle of chili flakes and a mint leaf garnish—transforming the way Champagne can be enjoyed.
In 2023, during the third edition of our Champagne Guy Charbaut Masterclasses with Mr. and Mrs. Charbaut in attendance, we embraced creativity by establishing an extraordinary dining experience that marries terroir Champagne with exquisite Indian cuisine, dubbed “Champagne and spice.” Our talented chefs explored India’s diverse culinary landscape to curate exceptional pairings with Guy Charbaut’s 1er Cru Champagnes. This unique experience has quickly gained popularity at The Ozen Collection. One standout pairing is the Champagne Guy Charbaut’s Cuvée de Réserve Brut 1er Cru NV, which harmonizes beautifully with “Beetroot Textures”—a dish featuring beetroot galouti kebab, pickled baby beetroots, beetroot yogurt, and dehydrated beetroot crisps.