Stories
Stories
June 13, 2026
Gin – The Herbal Spirit Medicine
June 4, 2026
Vinexpo Asia: What Opportunities Await Vietnam?
May 17, 2026
Whisky: The Spirit of Time
April 7, 2026
Vietnam – A Rising Star in Asia’s Wine Landscape
March 29, 2026
A Firefighter “On Fire” with His Passion for Bartending
March 28, 2026
Unique Dining Experiences: From Darkness to Light
March 4, 2026
Southest Asia Wine Trend
January 6, 2026
Vietnamese Sommelier Earns Prestigious Scholarship at age 63
Does “Château”, “Domaine” or “Maison” Really Mean Better Wine?
Many wine drinkers assume that words like Château, Domaine, or Maison on a French wine label are signs of prestige. Some even believe that if a bottle says Château, it … Read more
Five Vietnamese Restaurants Recognized at the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards 2026
Wine Spectator has officially announced the Restaurant Awards 2026, one of the world’s most respected recognitions for restaurants with outstanding wine programs. This year, 4,012 restaurants across 87 countries and … Read more
Sommelier: A Profession of Perseverance – An Interview with Sommelier Lê Hoàng Khánh Vi
Over the past few years, Vietnamese sommeliers have steadily made their mark on the world wine map. A new generation of young professionals keeps appearing at international competitions, earning certifications … Read more
Women Shaping the Future of Vietnam’s Wine Industry
For centuries, the worlds of wine and spirits have largely been perceived as male-dominated industries. From winemakers and winery owners to sommeliers and industry leaders, women have historically represented only … Read more
Sideways – The Film That Made America Drink More Pinot Noir
Can a single film change how an entire nation drinks? It sounds far-fetched, but that’s exactly what happened with Sideways — the 2004 independent film now regarded as one of … Read more
Gin – The Herbal Spirit Medicine
— “One martini, please — and use [a specific gin bottle] to make it!” There’s a certain type of customer who walks up to my bar and orders exactly like … Read more
Vietnam’s first Edition of Premium Beverage Experience 2026 will launch in Ho Chi Minh City
On June 9, at the iconic Caravelle Saigon Hotel, organizers officially unveiled Premium Beverage Experience Vietnam 2026 (PBE Vietnam 2026), the country’s first dedicated exhibition focused exclusively on premium beverages … Read more
Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026: New Milestones for Vietnamese Gastronomy
On June 4, Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026 was officially unveiled in Hanoi, marking the fourth year that the world’s most prestigious dining guide has been present in Vietnam. Yet if … Read more
Vinexpo Asia: What Opportunities Await Vietnam?
When discussing the most influential trade exhibitions in Asia’s wine and spirits industry, Vinexpo Asia is often the first name that comes to mind. Held alternately between Singapore and Hong … Read more
Like Mother, Like Daughter: The Unique Story of Two Generations of Sommeliers in Vietnam
When the Sommelier Profession Was Still Unfamiliar in Vietnam When people think of sommeliers, many still imagine a world dominated by Western men working in elegant fine dining restaurants. Women … Read more
Whisky: The Spirit of Time
“Stand behind a bar long enough, and you’ll notice a particular kind of customer. They don’t order right away. They scan the shelf for a moment, not because they don’t … Read more
Judgment of Paris 1976: The Tasting That Redefined Fine Wine
When California Shocked the World Few moments in modern wine history have reshaped global perception as profoundly as the blind tasting held in Paris on May 24, 1976. What began … Read more
The Failures Behind the Champion of Vietnam Best Sommelier in French Wines 2025
Behind the title of Vietnam Best Sommelier in French Wines 2025 lies a story of failures: Stefan Nguyễn — a colorblind sommelier who was once rejected from flight attendant exams and five-star hotel jobs.
Vinexpo Asia 2026 Officially Returns to Hong Kong, Bringing Together the APAC Wine & Spirits Community
Vinexpo Asia 2026, one of the leading events for the wine and spirits industry in the Asia-Pacific region, will officially take place from May 26–28, 2026 at the Hong Kong … Read more
Prohibition: When They Banned Alcohol, People Drank More
There is a paradox that history seems to enjoy repeating: what is forbidden does not disappear, it simply becomes more desirable. From 1920 to 1933, the United States tested that … Read more
Chinese Wine Steps Into the Game: Insights from ProWine Singapore
Chinese wine has been part of the global conversation for some time, often mentioned with a mix of curiosity and cautious interest. But at this year’s ProWine Singapore, the conversation … Read more
Vietnamese Cuisine Makes Its Mark: CieL Dining Named Among the World’s Top 10 Best Restaurants
CIEL Dining – a Vietnamese restaurant – has made its mark on the global culinary map by officially being named among the World’s Top 10 Best Restaurants at the Tastemakers … Read more
ProWein Düsseldorf 2026: New Trends Shaping the Global Wine Market
From March 15 to 17, 2026, ProWein Düsseldorf, one of the world’s largest wine and spirits trade fairs, took place in Germany, once again reaffirming its position as a key … Read more
Vietnam – A Rising Star in Asia’s Wine Landscape
The recent Tastin’ France event, one of the most important wine trade events in Vietnam organized by Business France, took place on April 1st and 3rd in Hanoi and Ho … Read more
A Firefighter “On Fire” with His Passion for Bartending
At Ngonista, we believe that the most meaningful stories do not always come from well-known names, but from those who work quietly, driven by a deep passion. I came across … Read more
Unique Dining Experiences: From Darkness to Light
In today’s culinary world, where experiences are often defined by visuals, quick reviews, and ever-changing trends, I often find myself asking: what truly makes a dining experience memorable? It is … Read more
“Về Để Đi” Vietnam’s First Whisky Distillery And A Daring Vision
There’s something most of us have never dared to imagine: not only can Vietnam make whisky it can craft one so distinctive, so refined, that it triumphs over spirits from … Read more
From Impossible to Incredible: Ian Dai’s natural wine revolution
I never imagined that Chinese wines could make their way onto the global stage, let alone in countries often regarded as the “holy grail” of winemaking. Yet Ian Dai—a winemaker … Read more
Vietnam’s Finalists at Star Wine List 2026: A New Chapter for Wine Culture
Vietnam’s F&B scene continues to gain recognition on the global wine map, as several restaurants and wine bars have been named finalists at the Star Wine List of the Year … Read more
The story behind Vietnam’s first and only Michelin Green Star – Nén Đà Nẵng
Following the announcement of the Michelin Guide awards at the end of June, controversies erupted. Many articles questioned, “Does the Michelin Guide truly understand Vietnamese cuisine?” Whether you agree or … Read more
Savall Chocolate: A five-generation legacy from Barcelona to Danang
Few people realize that only about 5% of the world’s cacao qualifies as “fine flavor”—and Vietnam is among the rare countries capable of producing this exceptional variety. Thanks to its diverse … Read more
Ex-Google Executive persues dream of taking “Rượu Làng” to the world
In nearly every Vietnamese village, there’s a family that distills “Rượu” rice liquor—an age-old practice passed down through generations. But for most, this traditional drink is still seen as rustic, … Read more
Vietnamese sommelier earns prestigious scholarship at age 63
Interview with Certified Sommelier Trần Văn Mẫn At 63, many would consider retirement and focusing on health, yet Mr. Trần Văn Mẫn continues to immerse himself in the world of … Read more
A Vietnamese woman’s journey: From PhD scientist to winery owner in Australia
What drives a Vietnamese woman, a PhD in environmental science with a successful career in Sydney, to leave it all behind and become a grape grower, ultimately winning the prestigious … Read more
How did a “freak” change the wine world? Meet James Erskine
Unlike the usual polished figures in the wine industry, who typically appear in elegant suits and carry themselves with a certain gravitas, James Erskine stood out as a true “freak”. … Read more
Almost Vietnamese misunderstand Champagne and Sparkling wine
When someone mentions Champagne, most people immediately picture shimmering glasses of sparkling wine, often opened during festive celebrations or significant events. However, here’s an intriguing fact: not all sparkling wines … Read more
Southest Asia Wine Trend
In the final week of May, I attended Vinexpo Asia 2025 in Singapore, invited by Vinexposium—the world’s leading organizer of wine and spirits trade events. Held at Marina Bay Sands, … Read more
Ex-Google Executive Pursues Dream of Taking Vietnam’s “Rượu Làng” To The World
In nearly every Vietnamese village, there’s a family that distills “Rượu” rice liquor—an age-old practice passed down through generations. But for most, this traditional drink is still seen as rustic, … Read more
“Về Để Đi” Vietnam’s First Whisky Distillery And A Daring Vision
The latest dining destinations shaping Vietnam’s modern food and wine scene.