So what is prosecco? The Italian spumante or sparkling has become en vogue for diners and party-goers around the world who seek a refreshing and easy to drink bubbly. We Thais tend to love it for its Italian flair and most non-vintage bottles have a relatively neutral taste, lower alcohol content and simple structure, which make it an affordable and accessible choice. Made from the glera grape (formerly known as prosecco), this sparkling wine is most often tank fermented, and does not see any oak maturation or ageing. If one can generalize, a typical, good prosecco should have a refreshing taste, good fruity aromas of lemon, green apples and a nicely balanced finish.

WHERE: Prosecco is grown in the Veneto region in Northeastern Italy, the country’s third largest wine region. Visitors to this area, also the home of the soave and the amarone varietals, can find the glera grape all over the rolling hills north of Venice. A wine labelled prosecco means it is from this area, but if you want to seek out the better wines, do look out for those with DOC status. Even better, if the towns of Cartizze, Conegliano or Valdobbiadene are mentioned: this signifies DOCG status, which is the highest quality available.

HOW MUCH: Before the new Thai wine tax was implemented this past September, the price for a bottle ranged from under B500 to B800. Now, however, consumers need to dig deeper into their pockets, between B700-B1,000 for a  bottle that’s fit for a party or worthy of gracing the dining table.

THE TASTE: A good prosecco has a well-defined fruit profile, a fine bead and a balanced fruit and acid component. A prosecco may also be frizzante (lightly sparkling) in which case the wine would be almost like a fizzy white wine. This style can be a very nice option to sip with appetizers.

Zonin Prosecco Brut DOC BEST BUY

Rated top by all tasters, this sparkler has a pale green color with a yellow hue. The mousse (aka bubbles) is fine and regular. The nose is crisp with pure notes of green apples and lime. The palate is very harmonious and the finish shows good cut and an appetizing bitterness, which is ideal for a cocktail or meal. 

B765. Available at www.wineqshop.com. Imported by IWS.

Sassello Prosecco DOC BK PICK

Pale green with little fizz. The nose reveals appetizing peach and yellow fruits. This bottle seems more perfumed and finishes with palate-cleansing acidity. Don’t be fooled by how it looks, and go for what’s inside!

B659. Available at Villa Market and Foodland. Imported by Ambrose.

Osteria Vino Frizzante Prosecco DOC 

A frizzante, so don’t look for bubbles and serve in a normal white wine glass. The nose is very aromatic combining perfumed roses, grape and peach aromas. On the palate the experience is enhanced by subtle spice notes and a clean refreshing finish. 

B950. Available at www.fin-wine.com. Imported by Fin-Wine.

Villa Sandi Prosecco Spumante Brut Millesimato Valdobbiadene

Pale green with fine bubbles. The aromas do not immediately jump from the glass, but you can sense refreshing peach and pear notes. A crisp and dry sparkler, which is quite well suited as an aperitif.  

B970. Available at Villa Market and Foodland. Imported by BB&B

Cascine 7 Prosecco Treviso DOC 

Pale green color and solid bubbles. The nose is slightly metallic, but the wine is gentle and fruity on the palate. The lower acidity level makes it easy to drink and ideal for parties. The iconic orange label has been known in Thailand for quite some time and now the producer has given it a fine new packaging. 

B785. Available at 253 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-261-8500. www.italasiagroup.com.

Chiang Rai

Find and book a boutique hotel in Chiang Rai on Mr and Mrs Smith

Singha Park 

Formerly called Boonrawd Farm, this park underwent a B2 million restoration and officially reopened as Singha Park this November. Set on a 8,000-rai plot of land covering nine districts of Chiang Rai province, the new eco-tourism destination comprises the original 600-rai tea plantation and many organic jujube, strawberry, star fruit and mulberry gardens. The farm is famous for its Oolong tea and is one of the largest tea producers in Thailand. 

Do: While enjoying the scenic views and fresh air, there are many fun outdoor activities you can do here from jogging and cycling to having a picnic. It’s recommended you rent a bicycle at the farm and tour around the park’s 8km beautiful bike trail. Free shuttle buses are also available. Daily farm tours run every 20 minutes from 9am to 4pm. There are also the 300-seater Phurirom restaurant and shops selling souvenirs, coffee, and other produce. Free admission. www.boonrawdfarm.com

Nakhon Ratchasima

Farm Chokchai 

Located two hours’ drive from Bangkok, Farm Chokchai is set on 20,000 rai of land in Pakchong, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Founded in 1957 by the famous Thai cowboy Chokchai Bulakul, the farm’s business has since expanded to include everything from meat, milk and steak restaurants to a popular (if slightly cheesy) farm tour. 

Do: Accommodating up to 80 visitors per trip, the two and a half hour tour begins with a rather dull presentation of the farm’s history before a tractor and trailer takes visitors around the farm and introduces various farming activities, like how they milk the cows, alongside more overblown and ethically dubious shows like a mini rodeo and an animal show. There’s also an open zoo where you get to feed the rabbits and cows, making it a great spot for those with children. You also shouldn’t miss the delicious milk ice cream at Umm..!Milk shop, but while we are quite big fans of the burgers from the fast food place, we’d say skip the less impressive steak house and its chewy pepper steak (B220). Entry fees: B300 for adults and B150 for children Tuesday-Friday 10am and 2pm. Weekends and public holidays: a farm tour runs every 20 minutes from 9-11.40am and 1-3.40pm. Closed on Monday. www.farmchokchai.com

Sukhothai

The Organic Agriculture Project 

Once you’ve landed at the petite and impeccably landscaped Sukhothai Airport, you’ll find lots of attractions within the airport complex itself, including an orchid greenhouse containing over 10,000 floral species, local ceramic-making demonstrations, Brahma and Buddha shrines, a swan pond and souvenir shop selling organic products. The highlight, though, is the organic rice farming project. Sat on a 400-rai plot of land nearby, you will get to see farmers in blue outfits conducting traditional chemical-free rice farming: ploughing the paddies with water buffalo, transplanting rice seedlings, harvesting and milling rice. The Organic Agriculture Project has grown to include paddy fields, vegetable beds and fruit orchards (mango, papaya, banana, mango plum). The farm’s renowned organic rice, Kao Hom Sukho, and other produce are distributed at local retail outlets and Bangkok. 

Do: Adjacent to the airport is the Sukhothai Heritage Resort (www.sukhothaiheritage.com), a low-rise boutique property offering 68 rooms in ancient Sukhothai architecture. The hotel offers a free bicycle service that lets you take a tour around the organic farms and gardens. Other attractions in Sukhothai include the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Sukhothai Historical Park and Sri Satchanalai Historical Park, Sri Satchanalai Town, and the local old Rim Yon Market which is open on every first Saturday of each month. www.kaohomsukhothai.in.th/eng

Nakhon Ratchasima

Jim Thompson Farm 

For just four weeks a year during the cool season, Thailand’s famous silk brand Jim Thompson opens the doors of its farm to visitors for special agricultural and cultural tours. Located in a lush part of Pak Thong Chai district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the 600-rai farm is divided into five zones of attractions covering everything from silk production to sculptures. The farm is just over three hours’ drive from Bangkok. 

Do: Open from Dec 14, 2013-Jan 12, 2014, this year’s highlight is “On Son Lai, Lai Pha Isan,” which is a celebration of Northeastern Thai woven textiles. The project sees design students from eight Thai universities work with local weavers to produce modern designs utilizing traditional hand-woven textiles and techniques. Eleven pieces from the project will be exhibited in the Isaan Village, home to traditional Isaan houses, religious halls and buildings, as well as daily performances and cultural shows. Other attractions include a 50-rai field of pink cosmos flowers and the U-Pick Garden, where you can pick your own fresh organic vegetables. Here you’ll find works by seven Asian artists exhibited amid the serene setting of the Phrayaprab hills and Lam Sam Lai reservoir. Another highlight is the Jim Thompson Village, showcasing the silk production process from the lifecycle of silk worms to silk reeling, yarn dyeing, hand-weaving and fabric printing. Visitors can also shop for products from the farm as well as the brand’s silk products at the Jim Thompson Market. Entry fee: Weekdays it’s B120 per adult and B80 for children. Weekends and Dec 31 it’s B140 per person for adults and B100 for children. www.jimthompsonfarm.com

Chiang Mai

Find and book a boutique hotel in Chiang Mai on Mr and Mrs Smith

Daradalay Bann Din Farm

Located just over an hour’s drive or 96km from Chiang Mai’s city centre, Daradalay is a family-run business offering a farm-stay experience on a 20-rai organic farm in Chiang Dao district. Here, you can just free your mind and pretend to be a farmer while the host, known as “Khun Mae” (mom), takes care of you as if you were a family member. The farm’s baan dins (mud huts) are surrounded by fields growing organic bananas, star fruit, mulberry and passion fruit.

Do: Here, you can learn about organic farming or participate in activities to support the local community, after which, you can sip on old Thai-style coffee while enjoying the scenery. When the temperature drops at night, you can look up at the heavens and enjoy a clear view of the stars. Just remember to take your own mosquito repellent and a torch. Before you leave, drop by the souvenir shop which sells handicrafts, postcards, and the farm’s organic vegetables and fruit. Some attractions in the area include Srisangwan waterfall, Pong Ah hot spring and Pa Daeng National Park. There are three types of accommodation available: huts on the hill for groups of 4-5 people, small rooms for two, and wooden huts for two with a farm view. All rooms are equipped with a mattress, a hot shower and a blanket, priced at B1,200 per person including homemade breakfast and authentic Northern dinner. www.daradalay.com

NEW> Nissan Juke

It’s sporty and it’s got some real zip. Some will complain that the cramped rear-seats and lack of cargo space make it more eco-car than 4x4, but bachelors won’t care as they cruise up and down Thonglor, while enjoying the turbo-charged engine and tight handling. 1,600cc, from B819,000, 116hp. www.nissan.co.th

NEW> Ford EcoSport

The new EcoSport is only barely being rolled out—and for once, this part of the world gets it first. It’s like a Fiesta on hormones, with a punchy engine and loads of space. Ford continues to pave the way in terms of tech, too, with its smartphone syncing gizmo. 1,500cc, from B669,000, 110hp. www.ford.co.th

Suzuki SX4

With a sluggish transmission and an aging design, this joint-venture with Fiat really isn’t going to get your pulse racing. It does boast one of the lowest prices and roomiest cabins, but we’d hold out for the 2014 update. 1,600cc, B799,000, 120hp. www.suzuki.co.th

NEW> Kia Soul

The KIA Soul is a bit like a pug, adorably ugly and boxy. The interior is where it really shines, though: swanky design, six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, satellite radio, USB and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Unfortunately, the KIA not only looks like a Mini, it’s nearly as pricy as one. 1,600cc. B1,397,000. 130hp. www.kia.com/th

Mini Cooper Countryman

In the USA, the Mini would only be around B200,000 more expensive than the Nissan Juke. Here, it costs more than double. Not only that, but the Mini Countryman is still pretty cramped compared to most SUVs. But hey, it’s a Mini. It’s fun to drive. It’s an iconic car. And it’s the ultimate status symbol for the under-30 set. 1,600cc, B1,840,000, 122hp. www.mini.co.th 

OPI San Francisco Collection Fall/Winter 2013

YSL Sepia City Drive Collection

Revlon Brilliant Strength

1. Olympus Pen E-P5

Inspiration: The original Pen, born in 1959, used regular 35mm film, but was the most compact camera to do so. By shooting half-frames, it also got over 70 shots out of a single roll of film.

Specs: Wi-Fi, 16.1 MP full HD video. Micro Four Thirds sensor, ISO 100-25,600. 3” touch screen (1,040k pixels), RAW/JPEG.   

Verdict: It’s definitely the best styled and most capable of the Pen series. Its sub par video and inability to correct camera shake are compensated by one of the most compact designs in this segment and good Wi-Fi tethering with your smartphone, allowing you to post pics on the go.  

Price: Range from B33,990-B39,990

2. Sony Alpha 7

Inspiration: Those gorgeous all-black magnesium bodies hark back to Nikon’s 35mm film reflex cameras. But while retro-style cameras tend to be a bit baroque (and silly) in their attempts to look just like the real thing, the Sony has a clean, sleek design of its own.

Specs: 24.3 MP full-frame sensor, 2.4 million dot electronic viewfinder, full HD video with uncompressed HDMI output, RAW/JPEG, Wi-Fi with NFC capability and downloadable apps. 

Highlight: If you’re still watching Nikon and Canon duke it out for the top DSLR spot, you’re looking at the wrong fight. Sony has been putting both to shame lately, and this particular model is just superb in terms of design, build quality and performance.

Price: B49,990

3. Nikon DF

Inspiration: It looks like a classic 35mm Nikon FM, particularly because of its large, angular optical viewfinder, which promises an image area a nudge above Canon’s 6D. 

Specs: Top continuous shooting speed at 5.5 frames per second (full resolution), ISO 100-12,800, 16 MP full-frame sensor, RAW/JPEG. 3.2” (921k dots)

Verdict: This camera’s guts are the same as the insanely high-end D4, minus the video. That, and the fact that it comes with a similarly retro looking 50mm lens, shows you’re really meant to use this one as a serious photographic tool. 

Price: B87,900

4. Fujifilm FinePix X100s 

Inspiration: The Finepix X100 really launched the retro-style trend, evoking the rangefinder Leicas of great photo journalists like Cartier Bresson. And the X100s looks just like its processor.

Specs: 16MP sensor, RAW/JPEG. 2.8” LCD Screen (460k pixels), full HD video, 2.8” screen (480k pixels), Built-in flash.

Verdict: The compact magnesium alloy body makes this a favorite for stylish photographers. But do note that this camera comes with a fixed 35mm equivalent lens that is not interchangeable. That’s a pretty serious limitation that old-school street photographers actually feel boosts their creativity, but it might not work for those seeking a casual camera. The sensor, lifted from the Fuji X-Pro1, is superb, though.

Price: B30,990

5. Leica M240

Inspiration: Its very own ancestor, the Leica M3, which launched in 1953, was the first Leica to combine a viewfinder (for framing the picture) and rangefinder (for determining focus) in one big bright window.

Specs: 24MP sensor. RAW/JPEG. 3” TFT Display (920k pixels). Full HD video (25 fps only).

Verdict: No-delay start up (750ms), long battery life and a much quieter shutter than its predecessor (the LEICA M9) show Leica is still clearly aimed at dedicated street photographers. Still, owning a Leica is a bit like owning a luxury car. You’re paying a lot for design and branding, too.

Price: B270,000

6. Panasonic - Lumix DMC-GM1

Inspiration: As you can now tell, this is another rangefinder lookalike based on old Leicas, except the scale is off. This thing’s face is about the size of a credit card, making it more Rollei 35S than Leica M.

Specs: 16 MP sensor, RAW/JPEG, Wi-Fi, 3.0-inch, 1036K dot 3” touch-sensitive LCD, full HD video recording at 60i/30p, built-in pop-up flash. Micro HDMI output.

Verdict: The size is truly amazing, given that this thing packs as much might as much larger competitors. And we love the-wide angle 24-64mm equivalent kit lens. Probably the most likely to compete for attention with your phone.

Price: B24,990

1. Eat local

2. Get on your feet

3. Live life to the fore

4. Hit the beaches

5. Bed down

Essentials

Where to stay