Cloudy Bay Wine Dinner at Aiii House Saigon
A One-Night Culinary Dialogue Between New Zealand Terroir and Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisine
On December 28, 2025, Aiii House Saigon hosted a one-night wine dinner in collaboration with Cloudy Bay, marking the official debut of the winery’s Te Series in Vietnam.
Recognized as one of New Zealand’s most influential wine estates, Cloudy Bay has long been associated with a precise expression of terroir, particularly through its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Central Otago Pinot Noir. The evening at Aiii was conceived as a curated encounter between land, climate, and culinary interpretation.
Led by Alain Pham, alongside Sommelier Andrew Truong and Brand Ambassador James Hoàng, the dinner unfolded as a restrained tasting journey. Rather than imposing structure, the menu was designed to accompany and elevate the wines, allowing each glass to articulate its origin and character with clarity.
The experience highlighted Cloudy Bay’s Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc, a layered expression of Marlborough shaped by texture and aging, alongside Te Wāhi Pinot Noir from Central Otago, noted for its depth and composure. At Aiii, the culinary approach focused on balance and precision, creating a dialogue in which food and wine evolved in parallel rather than competition.
Dishes were conceived to support clarity rather than complexity. A course featuring thinly sliced chutoro sashimi preserved the fish’s soft, tender texture, paired with kasu kimchi to introduce gentle fermentation and depth. Vietnamese rose apple added a local, refreshing accent, bringing brightness and a clean finish that balanced the natural richness of the fish. Each element was calibrated to accompany the wines, allowing acidity, texture, and aromatic nuance to remain clearly articulated.
Set within Aiii House Saigon’s signature green-toned space, the evening reflected a shared philosophy between kitchen and vineyard: respect for raw materials, attentiveness to place, and an understanding that true refinement often lies in restraint.
For Aiii, the collaboration reaffirmed its role as a platform for meaningful culinary exchanges. For Cloudy Bay, the night marked a thoughtful introduction to the Vietnamese dining landscape, framed not by spectacle, but by quiet confidence and coherence.
