Drink
Constance’s Maldives resorts defend World’s Best Wine Lists Awards
Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldive have won World’s Best Wine Lists Awards for another year.
Awarding three stars to Constance Halaveli for the fourth year, judges noted that a great deal of time and thought has been given to the wine list at the resort, where an interesting and fruitful selection of by-the-glass options are available, including Mas Amiel 1975 Maury and Niepoort Colheita 2001, in addition to a plethora of full bottle options divided into various chapters.
A few of the stand-out options in Constance Halaveli’s wine list includes Billecart-Salmon’s single-vineyard Blanc de Noirs Clos St Hilaire 1998, and Deutz Cuvée William Deutz and Blanc de Blancs 1988. Amongst more familiar but equally special prestige cuvées are Dom Pérignon, Roederer Cristal, and Cristal Rosé.
The wine lists embraces classic famous names but also clever and intriguing alternatives that are equally worthy of their place. Top Burgundy growers include Carillon, Lamy, and Roulot, while there is a special section devoted to Sauzet premiers and grands crus. There is good and great red Burgundy, all the way up to the giddy heights of Domaine de la Vougeraie Musigny, and an extensive selection of Lucien Lemoine grands crus, from Clos de la Roche and Clos St-Denis, to Latricières-Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, and Richebourg. Wines from the Rhône include Château Grillet and a segment dedicated to three different Condrieu cuvées from Georges Vernay.
Overall there’s a strong European influence, France and Italy being the areas of greatest strength: six consecutive vintages of Domaine de la Grange des Pères from Southern France; Right Back classics including legendary Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarosse 1990; and Super-Tuscans Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Tassinaia, and Tignanello. But there are also exciting representatives from the southern hemisphere, such as Australia’s Shaw + Smith, D’Arenberg, Leeuwin Estate, and Torbreck, and from South Africa five vintages of Eben Sadie’s Palladius and several of his Old Vines Series. To cap off what would be a charming and tranquil gastronomic experience, there is a collection of good sweet wines, including five vintages of Château Gilette Crème de Tête Sauternes back to 1961 and Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance.
Designed to reflect the curved shape of a traditional Maldivian dhoni, Constance Halaveli Maldives is located in the North Male Atoll and is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. The resort offers beach and water villas, family villas and a presidential villa, which can include luxurious amenities of private terraces, plunge pools and more.
A range of superb fine wine-and-dining options are available, as the resort features five restaurants and bars, including the Asian and European fusion cuisine of Jing and Jahaz. A variety of traditional Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and Maoki’s are served up at Kaika Sushi Bar, where guests can dine inside or on the terrace. Meeru provides beach dining for guests, where the remarkably white sand contrasts with the lush green forest of the island, complemented by the aqua blue ocean. During the evening, a selection of fresh seafood and meats from the à la carte menu can be grilled in front of guests, bringing authentic gastronomy to the shoreline.
Meanwhile, Constance’s second property in the Maldives, Constance Moofushi was awarded two stars in the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards for the third year.
Judges stressed that Constance Moofushi’s focus on environmental elements is extended to the wine list as well, where helpful symbols identify organic and biodynamic wines; the former indicates that the wine producer is pursuing sustainability concepts with minor environmental impacts and strict organic principles, while the latter signifies adherence to the ideas of the founding father of biodynamics, Rudolf Steiner.
The wine list identifies a vast selection of sommelier favorites, as well as providing helpful tasting notes on many of the eclectic, well-selected mid-range wines on the list, not only those offered by the glass.
The extensive Sommelier Selection ascends the giddy heights of Champagnes such as Deutz Amour de Deutz, Billecart-Salmon Clos St Hilaire, Cristal, and Salon, or white Burgundies including Lamy St-Aubins, Roulot Meursaults, and Carillon and Sauzet Puligny-Montrachets, including Montrachet itself. The list spans the globe, ensuring that producers both famous and less familiar, grand and boutique, are recognized. Options for rosé, for instance, cover France, New Zealand, and South Africa, in the form of a Côte de Provence Château Barbanau L’instant 2014, Marlborough Ata Rangi Summer 2014, and Marianne Estate 2014 from Western Cape.
“Constance Moofushi Maldives honors wine as one of the most civilized beverages in the world, one that ‘offers a greater range of enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing’,” the judges said.
Constance Moofushi, located in the South Ari Atoll and accessible by a 25-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport, strikes the balance between luxury and simplicity, while upholding ecological principles across the resort. A variety of beach, water and senior residences that make up the 110 villas throughout the resort embraces ecological thatched roofing. The interior embodies fresh and contemporary décor with the idyllic backdrop of the aqua lagoons of the Indian Ocean.
Two restaurants and two bars provide multiple options for a unique culinary experience tailored to all age groups. Alizée offers an à la carte menu and is situated only a few meters from the sea on the bleached sand, serving up freshly cooked food from a beach grill in a peaceful and casual atmosphere. Manta restaurant embraces a worldwide cuisine concept, where the main focus is the interaction between chefs and guests as they journey through the international buffet. The sand-floored restaurant extends out over the water, allowing guests to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape’s crystal-clear waters during their meal, adding to the ambiance.
Now in its fifth year, the World’s Best Wine Lists awards by The World of Fine Wine celebrate the importance of a good selection of wine from around the world, and has become as coveted as Michelin star ratings.
There is something special about discovering a place through its wines. This November, Baros Maldives invites guests to experience a taste of Tuscany with an exclusive wine dinner celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of Poliziano, hosted by third-generation winemaker Maria Stella.
Set against the beautiful ocean backdrop of The Lighthouse Restaurant, the intimate evening will take place on Sunday 29 November 2026, at 7 pm, bringing together fine wines, thoughtfully prepared cuisine and the pleasure of sharing a table.
Founded in 1961 by Dino Carletti in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Poliziano has long been guided by a deep connection to its land and the traditions of its region. Its name reflects both its Tuscan home and a tribute to Renaissance poet Angelo Ambrogini, known as Poliziano. Over the decades, the winery has remained true to its origins, producing wines that speak of their landscape, heritage and the people behind them.
Leading the evening, Maria Stella will share the story of Poliziano through a selection of its wines, offering guests a personal perspective on the family’s winemaking heritage and the philosophy that continues to shape the estate.
Each wine will be accompanied by a specially created dinner course, with pairings designed to bring out the character of both the glass and the plate.
Limited to just 16 guests, the dinner is intended to be as much about the company and conversation as it is about the wines themselves. An evening to slow down, discover something new and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and wine in wonderful surroundings.
The experience is priced at USD 235 per guest, inclusive of the specially curated dinner menu and wine pairings. Advance reservations are essential, with seating limited to 16 guests.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday 29 November 2026
- Time: 7 pm
- Venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant, Baros Maldives
For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will host an exclusive Hunter’s Wine Dinner on Monday, 16 November 2026, inviting guests to experience an evening of fine wine, thoughtful gastronomy and personal storytelling from one of Marlborough’s pioneering family-owned wineries.
The evening will be hosted by James Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, alongside Chelsea Macdonald and sommelier Khail van Niekerk of Grape Expectations Maldives.
Part of the founding family, James holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University and has completed several vintages overseas. Today, he helps lead Hunter’s Wines while preserving the winery’s signature Marlborough character and guiding its continued evolution.
Founded in 1979 by Ernie and Jane Hunter, Hunter’s is Marlborough’s oldest independent winery under continuous family ownership. Its internationally recognized wines reflect more than four decades of winemaking expertise, innovation and respect for the land.
For this special occasion, the culinary team at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi will present a curated menu designed to complement a selection of Hunter’s wines. The featured collection is expected to include MiruMiru sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, guiding guests through the diversity and distinctive character of Marlborough.
Throughout the dinner, James will share the stories behind the wines, the Hunter family journey and the winemaking philosophy that has helped establish Marlborough as one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions.
“V Villas Maldives at Mirihi is committed to creating memorable experiences that connect our guests with exceptional personalities, craftsmanship and stories from around the world. We are delighted to welcome James and Chelsea Macdonald and to offer our guests an intimate discovery of Hunter’s Wines in the distinctive setting of Mirihi” said Mohamed Shareef, General Manager of V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection.
The event reflects the resort’s approach to experiential dining, where refined cuisine, a carefully curated wine programme and Mirihi’s intimate island atmosphere come together to create meaningful moments for guests.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection is an intimate private-island resort in South Ari Atoll. Set amid a renowned house reef and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, the resort brings together contemporary island living, personalized service, distinctive culinary experiences and meaningful encounters inspired by the spirit of Mirihi.
The resort features 42 villas, two restaurants, AKOYA Sea Lounge, Mirihi Spa, a wine cellar offering more than 300 labels, and a collection of ocean, wellness and cultural experiences.
Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.
Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.
The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.
Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.
At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.
Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”
Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.
Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.
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