Top Wines and Classical Music at One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

A new concept in wine appreciation is being launched at the One&Only Reethi Rah this November with a special week of events matching the notes and personality of wine with the music of the great classical composers, played by professional harpist Marianne Lecler.

Head Sommelier at One&Only Reethi Rah, Jean-Sébastien Azaïs, has developed this concept with Marianne over several years, culminating in the upcoming showcase of world-class performance combined with outstanding wines at this exclusive island retreat. Together, sommelier and classical musician will reveal the undiscovered depths of celebrated concertos and esteemed wine labels.

Marianne is well known in classical music circles, having performed in many eminent musical forums throughout Europe including the Opera de Paris, Orchestre de Paris and Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire. Matching wine and music is not a simple task, and both Azaïs and Lecler have chosen according to the complementing structure and personality of each notion in wine tasting with the appropriate opus. This process can be very technical, with five different basic structures (monolytic, complex, codalies or length, linear and consensual) dictating the notes of the wine and its corresponding piece of music. Equally, the choice depends on the overall personality of the wine and the music – a more emotional method of matching the two.

The week of events will include wine and music tastings both in the Reethi Restaurant wine cellar and outdoors under the Maldivian stars, with the highlight of the week taking place on the traditional dhoni, sailing through a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset.

Each event will include several different wines, all matched with a different piece of classical music performed on the acoustic harp. An example might be to pair the constant monolytic structure of the “Danse Orientales” by Aram Khachaturian with a Sancerre from Chateau de Nozay – a reassuringly stable wine which is dry, light and crispy from the first sip to the last.

Likewise, the complex structure of “La Vida Breve” by Manual Falla with its rich texture, colourful themes and contrasting tensions matches perfectly with the RumRig shiraz from Torbreck, a powerful wine with a strong character, solid tannins, elegance and finesse.

During the week, one exclusive wine and music dinner will take the concept a step further, matching not only the wine and music but also extending to the food. Delectable dishes personally created by our Executive Chef will add a third element to this celebration of the senses.

Wednesday 21st November – Wine and Music Tasting in Reethi Restaurant wine cellar (US$100 per person)
Friday 23rd November – Wine and Music Dinner in Reethi Restaurant wine cellar (US$200 pp)
Sunday 25th November – Wine and Music Sunset Sailing onboard our traditional Maldivian dhoni (US$150 pp)
Wednesday 28th November – Farewell Wine and Music Tasting outdoors at Fanditha Pavilion (US$100 pp)

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