The now-defunct Chocolate Kiss Cafe inside the University of the Philippines in Diliman used to serve calamansi juice, and the concoction came with its very own supply of honey. I put as much honey as I wanted while my friends did the same so we can all reach our personal Goldilocks zone. It was nice…

Almost two years ago, when the cities and towns of the world were on lockdown, the team here at Basi del Diablo had nothing else to do but to watch films at home. Okay, okay, I will only speak for myself. I had nothing else to do but to watch films at home and drink…

Inspired by the geniuses behind Cella Vie in Vienna, I started making cocktails. My first project is a glass of Bloody Basi Maria. This is a less potent version of the Bloody Mary and just like my first novel (what?), it is not traumatising. In fact, it is refreshing and tolerable for someone who does…

I rarely give gifts because I am forgetful but when I do remember to get something, I always end up grabbing a bottle of Ambaristo. And the recipients are always my cousins. I could always choose the Basi Maria because my Lola Maria is also their grandma but my cousins are different. They are a…

It is shortly after 11am and we just finished quality checks for the Basidina. This is among my favourites, not because it was named after mum, but because its chief ingredient Chardonnay is easy to work with. My dear mother Dina, rest her soul, was easy to work with, too. No fuss, no frills –…

I have finally lost the plot because I now keep sharing moments of my winemaking life with all of you and complete with almost narcissistic selfies, too! I am now back in the cellar to pick up a few more bottles of Basi Maria for the shop. I unfortunately do not look like my Lola…

The pancake fiesta is not yet over! Pancakes are what their toppings make them. We actually added homemade chocolate syrup to some of our pancakes yesterday so we can try them with our cabernet sauvignon Basi Maria. Sadly, no photos were taken of that little venture because everyone seemed so hungry. Basi Maria went well…

Pancakes with maple syrup can be tricky if you are looking to pair them with wine but if you don’t feel like drinking wine at the moment, you can try it with black tea or a liqueur muscat. Pairing these pancakes with a semi-sparkling rosé, preferably one with a touch of sweetness, is acceptable for…

Philippine winemaker Sigrid Salucop just started a pairing frenzy and her focal point on 7 June are pancakes. “I love having breakfast food for lunch or dinner and pancakes always hit the spot. If you are planning to have pancakes later, get your favourite berry jam, and a bottle of Ambaristo,” said Salucop when she…

Since it’s the birthday of our not-so-little dogs Lucio, Mickey, and Hugger and the birthmonth of their baby sister Quib, we had to get cake from Pam’s. Dogs are family and they deserve the best. I had a hard time looking for someone who can make this classic. My oven already gave up on me…