At the end of September, Malis in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap partnered up with IDD Wines to welcome selected guests for a special five-course menu of Royal Cambodian Cuisine marking a debut for delicious roasted Phnom Kulen Pig, and showcasing some carefully chosen wines from the vineyards of Rothschild Barons from around the world.

From the Kulen mountain range in Siem Reap, Kulen Pig is produced by free-range pigs reared by families for whom they have become an essential source of income. Not only is the meat sustainable, organic and a promising resource for the poor, they also help to motivate communities to protect the forest and environment in which the pigs forage.

Of the wines selected to accompany the lobster opener and a refreshing green papaya soup with shrimp, we chose a stunning Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc from Baron Benjamin de Rothschild’s estate in the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough “Golden Mile”, famed for producing the best whites from one of the greatest wine-producing regions in the world.

The next stop was Chile and the vineyards of Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite, first for a fresh and flavourful Los Vascos Chardonnay to accompany a light Khmer crab samlor before moving on to a ripe and fruity Los Vascos Le Dix that perfectly complemented the roasted Kulen Pig.

Even a night of heavy rain in Siem Reap was not enough to suppress appetites or good humour, and we hope that our guests from across the hospitality, tourism and other sectors enjoyed the evenings as much as we enjoyed their company.

Have a look at the photos here.