There is a couple among the tour guests who particularly stands out in my memory. It was during dinner in Hanoi after finishing our Ha Long Bay itinerary. Looking at the menu, the guests asked, “Is this Vietnamese wine?” When I nodded, their reaction was immediate. “Nah, I’ll just have a beer.” Without a word, I ordered a glass of Vang Dalat Strong and placed it on the table. A moment later, the guests took a sip themselves. Then they said, “Oh? This is actually pretty good.”
That expression is the most accurate review describing Dalat wine. You must drink it without expectations for it to become an unexpected discovery. If you raise your expectations too high, disappointment follows. I am writing this somewhere in the middle.
Recommendations for Dalat wines are not simply product reviews. To properly enjoy them, you must also understand the context, the food pairing, and the person they are suited for.
I will be honest — the premise of Vietnamese wine
To start with the conclusion, Dalat wine cannot beat French wine. Even when compared to Chilean wine, it lags behind in terms of complexity. I have no intention of denying or sugarcoating this fact. However, wine is not meant to be drunk solely based on scores.
There is a concept called terroir. It refers to the idea that the climate, soil, and environment of the land where grapes are grown influence the taste of wine. Dalat wine embodies the story of the land of Dalat. Traces of the French colonial era, the cool climate of the tropical highlands, and the blending of mulberries and grapes—if you drink it knowing this context, the same wine feels different.
What matters more is the setting. Drinking Da Lat wine in Vietnam, accompanied by Vietnamese food and amidst a local atmosphere, is a completely different experience from drinking it at a wine bar in Seoul. If you have come to Vietnam, drink the Vietnamese. That is the wisest way to enjoy Da Lat wine.
If you are curious about the history of Vietnamese wine and how grape cultivation began in Da Lat, Part 1 of this series Vietnamese wine, is this real wine?I recommend reading this first.
Best suited to the Korean palate — Vang Dalat Strong
Cardinal Grape 85% + Mulberry 15% Blending / Alcohol 15%
A wine journalist who visited the Dalat winery wrote: “Vang Dalat Strong has an alcohol content of 151 TP3 T and is a wine blended from Cardinal grapes and mulberries in an 85:15 ratio. It has a color slightly brighter than a ruby, a sweet berry aroma, and an scent reminiscent of jam spread on bread.” (Southeast Asia Globe, 2023)
Nguyen Lan, the winemaker at Ladora Winery, speaks directly about this wine: “It is the favorite wine of our Korean guests.” In fact, this is the wine I recommend most often to guests on Ha Long Bay and Hanoi tours. It has a sweet finish, aromas like fruit jam, and a warm undertone, perhaps due to its high alcohol content. It pairs particularly well with Vietnamese dishes such as pho and bun cha.
I recommend this first to those experiencing Dalat wine for the first time, those who prefer sweetness, and those looking for a wine to pair with Vietnamese food.
Best Value Souvenir — Vang Dalat Classic Special
Cardinal Grape 70% + Mulberry 30% Blending / Alcohol 12%
The same reporter described the wine as follows: “Vang Dalat Classic Special is a 70-30 blend of Cardinal grapes and mulberries. Despite the high acidity and hints of peppery spices, the finish is smooth. The assistant head winemaker at the Dalat winery said, ‘This is my favorite wine.”” (Southeast Asia Globe, 2023)
It has a higher mulberry content and lower alcohol content than the Strong version. It features a deep red color with hints of pepper and oak, while the finish is smooth. It can be considered to fall somewhere between sweet and dry.
Due to its excellent quality for the price, it is also the best-selling line of souvenirs from Vietnam. It can be purchased at Da Lat night markets or convenience stores for around 100,000 to 150,000 VND (approximately 5,000 to 7,000 KRW) per bottle. It is also an affordable price point for gifting to those who do not drink wine frequently.
If you want a serious wine experience — Château Dalat
Château Dalat Sauvignon Blanc — Dry White
An official from the Sommelier Association commented on this wine, stating, “Château Dalat’s Sauvignon Blanc deserves to hold its head high even among its competitors.” (Winetourism.com)
The actual tasting notes are as follows: “Very dry and slightly tart, with aromas of lime and passion fruit. Pairs well with shellfish dishes.” (Southeast Asia Globe, 2023)
This white wine, paired with fresh seafood caught in Ha Long Bay, is the most European-style among Dalat wines. If you prefer dry wines, I recommend starting with the Château Dalat Sauvignon Blanc rather than the Bang Dalat line.
If you want a Central Highlands Vietnam tour including Da Lat wineries, or a private tour of Ha Long Bay and Sapa Inquire about private toursYou can contact us through [this].
Château Dalat Cabernet Sauvignon — Official APEC Wine
This is the line selected as the official wine for the 2007 and 2017 APEC Summits. It is also the line that won a gold medal at the SFIWSC. Users on the wine community CellarTracker awarded it a score of 88, and one review reads: “It is really good. The fruit and oak are balanced and vibrant. A typical Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon flavor profile.” (CellarTracker)
World-renowned wine critic Jancis Robinson remarked on Vietnamese wine: “Vietnamese vines have just as much reason to exist as vines anywhere else.” (JancisRobinson.com)
I recommend this line to those who want to take it as a gift or those seeking a serious experience with Vietnamese wine.
In Vietnam, things to drink with Vietnamese food
How to buy locally in Vietnam
The best way is to visit a Da Lat winery in person. The tour costs 75,000 to 120,000 VND (approximately 3,500 to 6,000 KRW) and includes a tasting. You can taste the wines yourself and choose the ones you like.
It can be found at the Dalat night market or convenience stores in the city center. The price range is 100,000 to 250,000 VND (approximately 5,000 to 12,000 KRW) per bottle. Some lines of Vang Dalat and Château Dalat are also available at large supermarkets such as Vinmart and Big C in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
How to buy in Korea
Some lines from Vang Dalat and Château Dalat are also exported to Korea. They can be purchased through online wine specialty stores or importers. However, since quality varies significantly depending on storage conditions, it is important to verify the reliability of the seller. You must purchase from a place with proper temperature control to experience a taste close to what you would have enjoyed at the winery.
To be honest, Dalat wine is best enjoyed locally. Vietnam's humidity, food, and atmosphere create a unified context. Drinking it in Seoul without that context can feel a bit bland. This is the fate inherent in all terroir wines.
For more detailed wine information and tasting notes, Ladora Winery Official SiteYou can also check it here.
It makes a difference if you drink it with context.
It is said that wine holds the story of its land. Dalat wine is not perfect. However, it embodies the story of the land of Vietnam. The seeds left behind by the French colonial era, the limitations of the tropical climate, and the attempt to overcome those limitations with mulberries. When you drink it with this context, the same wine feels different.
If you are sitting with a glass of wine in front of you during your trip to Vietnam, do not just drink it; take a moment to reflect. Think about how this glass holds 130 years of attempts. There is a beauty in what is unfinished.
If you are planning an itinerary that includes a visit to a Da Lat winery or a private trip to Northern Vietnam, Consult on local guide toursIf you contact us through [this channel], a guide with 10 years of experience will personally guide you.
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