Bangkok, Thailand, December 29, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / New Year's Eve in my twenties meant loud parties, crowded rooms and a feeling of forced excitement, until I realized that none of it felt like me.

A long time ago, I stopped throwing wild parties and instead sought out something more valuable and authentic: good food, deep conversations, and drinks with meaning. Now I consciously plan New Year's Eve and choose wines and spirits that enrich the moment rather than overwhelming it.

Here is my selection, specially compiled for you.

Henri Giraud Esprit – Brut Nature NV

Henri Giraud is one of the smallest and most traditional Champagne houses, processing almost exclusively grapes from the Aÿ Grand Cru vineyard. The wines mature in oak barrels from the historic Argonne Forest. Their style is rich, expressive, and distinctive – a blend of deeply rooted tradition, precision, and a touch of bold craftsmanship.

You certainly don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy excellent wine, and Esprit Brut Nature proves it. Even as an entry-level cuvée, it combines everything that makes Henri Giraud so exceptional: purity, vibrancy, minerality, and that unmistakable signature that arises from the careful processing of the Aÿ Grand Cru grapes and the deep connection to the oak forests of the Argonne.

It is the kind of champagne that lights up the night, keeps glasses full, and reminds everyone that luxury is not just found in the great cuvées… it lies in the philosophy of the house itself, and I am sure you have had the opportunity to taste it in many Michelin-starred restaurants in combination with wine pairings.

Henri Giraud Argonne 2016 – Aÿ Grand Cru

Argonne 2016 is the flagship of the house, the very definition of a Champagne with presence. Structured, profound, and gastronomic, it unites the fruitiness of Aÿ Grand Cru with aging in oak barrels from the forests of the Argonne National Park. The result is a Champagne of quiet power: ripe orchard fruits, warm pastries, spices, and the unmistakable oxidative signature of Henri Giraud, which feels both traditional and modern.

It is the bottle you open when the evening is special, when the table is beautifully set and the moment deserves something extraordinary.

Henri Giraud Argonne Rosé 2012 – Aÿ Grand Cru

If the Argonne 2016 stands for power, the Argonne Rosé 2012 is pure seduction (and in every respect, even price, a step further). It captivates with grace and mystery: wild strawberry, rose petals, blood orange, subtle smoke, and that velvety, sensual texture that makes Giraud so unique. This champagne is perfect when glamour is called for: expressive, emotional, and unforgettable.

Henri Giraud Ratafia – Solera 90-19

Once the iconic dishes have done their part, ratafia adds warmth and surprise. Perhaps you've already tried it at the Gaa restaurant (2 Michelin** in Bangkok)...

Matured in the Solera system from 1990 to 2019, this golden, aromatic delight combines aromas of dried fruit, nuts, honey, lemon zest, and a gentle, oxidative sweetness. It pairs beautifully with desserts—or can become a dessert itself. A quiet, luxurious indulgence, perfect for the balmy hours of the night.

Not everyone drinks champagne all evening, and that's where sloe liqueur comes in. It's made by macerating sloe berries (a wild relative of the plum) in gin with just a hint of sugar, giving it its deep ruby-red color and naturally aromatic profile: red berries, almonds, plum skin, fragrant winter spices, and a gentle sweetness balanced by a pleasant acidity.

Neat, it's charming; on ice, refreshing; and topped with champagne, a delight. A playful moment amidst more serious drinks.

Darroze Armagnac – Grands Assemblages 40 years

If your New Year's Eve celebration lasts late into the night (as it should), there is nothing more elegant than ending it with a great Armagnac and a cigar.

Darroze's Grands Assemblages 40 ans is not only iconic, but also slow, contemplative and beautifully complex: dried apricot, walnut, cocoa, old oak and that quiet whisper of rancio that only develops over time.

It is the moment when the music becomes quieter, the conversations go deeper, and the new year begins in a gentler, more cultivated way.

This is how I imagine New Year's Eve: a little legendary, a little playful, a little indulgent, and yet always meaningful.

Because once you've decided on authenticity, everything else falls into place.