At Huvafen Fushi, experiences are often defined by their setting, and few are as quietly compelling as Vinum, the resort’s subterranean wine cellar. Hidden beneath the island’s surface and entirely removed from the Maldivian sun, it is here that guests will be invited into an intimate exploration of wine this April, guided by RIEDEL’s 11th-generation CEO, Maximilian J. Riedel.
Over two evenings, Riedel will host a private wine glass tasting designed to reveal how profoundly form shapes flavour. Using four distinct glasses from the RIEDEL Veloce collection, guests will taste a selection of iconic wines, experiencing first-hand how subtle changes in shape influence aroma, texture, and balance.
The setting plays an essential role. Vinum is the first underground wine cellar of its kind in the Maldives, a cool, hushed space that contrasts sharply with the island’s sunlit shores. It is an environment that encourages focus and conversation, allowing guests to engage fully with the nuances of each pour.
Riedel’s approach is rooted in function rather than flourish. For more than 270 years, the family-owned Austrian house has championed the idea that a glass should exist solely to serve the wine it holds. This philosophy is at the heart of the tasting, which is as educational as it is sensory, a guided demonstration of why grape-varietal-specific glassware has become a cornerstone of modern wine appreciation.
For Riedel, the Maldives provides a striking backdrop for a concept that has travelled the world, inspiring tens of thousands of participants each year. Yet here, beneath the island, the experience feels uniquely intimate, stripped of spectacle and focused instead on discovery.
At Huvafen Fushi, this is wine appreciation at its most distilled: no distractions, no performative luxury. Just exceptional wine, thoughtfully chosen glassware, and a setting that invites guests to slow down and truly taste.
