Vantage Wine Penang
B-G-8 Vantage, Jalan Desiran Tanjung
10470 Penang, Malaysia
(Near Indian Delightz Restaurant, and Grumpiezgreenpepper Mexcantina "highly recommend")
Phone: 04-898 1606
Phone: 04-898 1606
Hours:
Monday 12PM-9PM
Tuesday Closed
Thursday-Sunday 12PM-9PM
Tucked away in the Vantage strip mall along the Tanjung Bungah area is Vantage Wine, an open spaced wine bar and merchant.
Their restaurant is currently under renovation, but there are a variety of restaurants located in the Vantage plaza if you are hungry. While the restaurant is under renovation, Vantage Wine allows for outside food to be enjoyed in-house.
Prices per bottle start at only 45rm and go up from there.
Their restaurant is currently under renovation, but there are a variety of restaurants located in the Vantage plaza if you are hungry. While the restaurant is under renovation, Vantage Wine allows for outside food to be enjoyed in-house.
Prices per bottle start at only 45rm and go up from there.
Vantage Wine takes the no wine list approach, and encourages the customer to pick wine by taking a stroll along the many rows of wine bottles separated by country.
Choices include
New World: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, California, & Ice Wine from Canada.
Old World: Italy, Portugal, & France (Bordeaux, Rhone, Alsace, Burgundy)
Old World: Italy, Portugal, & France (Bordeaux, Rhone, Alsace, Burgundy)
If you are overwhelmed by the choices, Vantage Wine manager Peter Low can give you recommendations based on what your palate desires.
The front half of the wine bar features bottles Vantage Wine has on special. Wine bottles start at 45rm per bottle, and if you are familiar with the high prices of wine in Malaysia, you'll agree that this place has some great deals.
I decided to give the Montes 2013 Malbec, from Colchagua Valley Chile a try (56rm)
On the nose I got strong aromas of dusty berries, with hints of leather and dark chocolate. The nose was even a bit barn yardy until it started to open up about 30 minutes later...the nose then gave off aromas of macerated blackberries...no more dust!
For the palate I got a medium body, medium grippy tannins, medium+ tart slap upside the head acidity, and fruit "punch" flavors of cranberry, and strawberries too tart for enjoyment. There was a medium peppery finish, and the alcohol was overwhelmingly present in this bottle.
Some bottles from their California wine collection
Wente Vineyards California, has become popular in Asia, and Vantage Wine has the biggest selection in Penang that I've seen so far.
Who doesn't love a little Burgundy or Beaujolais...the home of some amazing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gamay.
Pictured here, bottles from Joseph Drouhin
Pictured here, bottles from Joseph Drouhin
There is a generous selection of Australian wines here, and if you are a Penfolds junkie...there is no shortage of bottles from this iconic brand.
What does "BIN" mean?
Pretty much "BIN" is a specification that refers to the bin's storage location in a cellar while ageing.
It is also a clever marketing tool to help consumers remember a particular wine and its' style.
Pretty much "BIN" is a specification that refers to the bin's storage location in a cellar while ageing.
It is also a clever marketing tool to help consumers remember a particular wine and its' style.
Want to know more?
Check out this article on Penfolds, and their world of bin numbers.
Check out this article on Penfolds, and their world of bin numbers.
Vantage Wine has quite the collection when it comes to Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon!
If you are a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, and adore the aromas of dark berries and mint, like I do! Then you must give this amazing wine growing region a try.
The first time I ever tasted Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon was in my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 class, and it was a bottle of WYNNS! Years later...and I still cannot forget that special tasting experience.
I spy a bottle I want to try next time.
Amarone Tommasi 2011 Italy Wine Spectator 91 pts.
I do love me some German Riesling! Especially with Spicy Asian cuisine, and being in Malaysia, Penang, we are in the mecca of spicy dishes and spiced cuisine.
For pairing, pick an off-dry Riesling and move on from there. The sweetness from the residual sugar in the wine will offer a contrast to the spiciness in the dish.
The flavors and sweetness often found in Riesling can also showcase the many different flavors in the dish you are eating.
Think Thai green curry...infused with lime, kaffir leaves, coconut milk, a pinch of sugar, and lemon grass; these sweet citrus and aromatic herbal flavors are usually slightly detected in the dish, but if you pair it with a Riesling that also showcases those flavors, the aromas will become unveiled, and quite possibly surprise your palate in a delightful way.
The flavors and sweetness often found in Riesling can also showcase the many different flavors in the dish you are eating.
Think Thai green curry...infused with lime, kaffir leaves, coconut milk, a pinch of sugar, and lemon grass; these sweet citrus and aromatic herbal flavors are usually slightly detected in the dish, but if you pair it with a Riesling that also showcases those flavors, the aromas will become unveiled, and quite possibly surprise your palate in a delightful way.
Vantage Wine also has some bottles of Whiskey to choose from if wine just doesn't do the trick for you.
I will admit I had an archaic wine opener that I got a few jabs about at my last party so I was looking to update and upgrade. wine gifts
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