Seyha HAK, 37, sommelier at Topaz TheCommune, has been with the Thalias group since 2006. After completing his secondary education, he started at Restaurant Malis in Phnom Penh as a steward, before moving on to become a barman and bar supervisor.
In 2013, he began to learn the secrets of wine and in 2014, he became the first sommelier specialising in Champagne wines in the Kingdom of Cambodia, following a fine victory in a regional competition.
With the Cambodian Sommelier Association
Currently Secretary General of the Cambodia Sommelier Association (CSA), he is passionate about changing the way wine is seen in Cambodia, particularly in view of the rapid development of the Kingdom with its many restaurants and luxury hotels. It is therefore very important for him to know the different histories of wine and to promote the collective work of the association, so that he can recommend them according to the different demands of the clientèle, but also in terms of their associations with various dishes.
A true passion for wine
In 2013, Thalias group imported a lot of new and quality wine, and it was a real game-changer for Seyha. Thanks to the knowledge and encouragement of Mr Arnaud DARC and his father, he has been able to constantly develop his approach to wine and his desire to become a sommelier. “They taught me how to appreciate and understand wine in a way that I never thought possible! Every day, I practised and every day, I still try to be better by testing different wines in order to recognise and understand them. It’s so exciting, I learned so much about wine with Mr Arnaud and Papa DARC ”, he says with a smile.
The incredible uniqueness of Château Margaux 2012
Seyha chose to introduce us to the incredible Premier grand cru classé en 1855, Château Margaux, which is a truly unique wine from the Médoc wine region (Bordeaux) and one of the top five recognised estates alongside Château Lafite, Château Latour, Château Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion.
It’s a one-of-a-kind, multi-faceted wine that could also be called a “lady wine”! Château Margaux 2012 is a wine that defies expectations. Its lightness is its greatest asset, making it an appealing choice for those who appreciate a wine with a rich bouquet of black fruits, red fruits, laurel and cedar. Its unique red colour reflects elegance, softness and harmony, making it a wine that is sure to delight. For four centuries, the exceptional Château Margaux has been recognised as one of the world’s greatest and rarest wines, thanks to its delicate floral notes.
Pairing
The perfect match between Khmer culinary style and French gastronomy: Château Margaux 2012 According to Seyha, this wine is the ideal partner for both the French gastronomy of Topaz TheCommune and local Khmer meals.
This red wine is a natural sublime accompaniment to red meat, particularly top-quality beef, but also to a starter, such as Topaz TheCommune’s Jambon Pata Negra, the best jamón ibérico in the world, which is sublimely melt-in-the-mouth tasty. When it comes to Khmer cuisine, he would pair this wine with his family and enjoy it with local Khmer beef, lock lak with a spicy sauce, or beef with kroeung, a mixture of spices forming a paste, with a papaya salad.
His ambition with the Topaz TheCommune wine cellar
According to Seyha, it’s incredible how much the Cambodian community of wine lovers has grown in the past 10 years! They’ve gone from knowing nothing about wines to being truly interested in them. They’re now familiar with all kinds of wines, not just the big names. Now, the Kingdom’s gourmets are taking a greater interest, thanks in particular to restaurant associations and social networks. With more than 200 references of French wines, as well as Australian, Italian, Argentinian and Chilean wines, the aim of the Topaz TheCommune wine cellar is to promote the uniqueness of each wine and, above all, to pass on valuable knowledge to customers. “I sincerely hope that, in the future, Cambodians will be more open to the art of wine tasting and that they will learn from our experience at Topaz TheCommune ”, Seyha concludes with a smile.
Engage with Us
- Subscribe to Thalias Newsletter: Enjoy exclusive offers, event invitations, and culinary insights. Subscribe Here
- Reserve Your Table at Topaz TheCommune: Experience fine dining redefined. Make a Reservation with ease and discover instant booking perks.
- Discover More: For a deeper dive into our culinary universe. Visit Our Website
Facebook Comments