Showing posts with label Penang wine Merchants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penang wine Merchants. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

That Little Wine Bar Penang

By    12:26 AM // No comments
That Little Wine Bar Penang 
Little Wine Bar - 54 Jalan Chow Thye, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia 
Phone: 04-226 8182

Hours: 
Monday-Saturday 5PM-1AM
Closed Sunday 




Wedged in between the many restaurants and cafés that sit along Chow Thye Road, a road showcasing restored pre-war buildings; sits a romantic little wine bar with a big wine list. 


Cozy seating in a dimly lit, comfy little wine bar.
 The outside patio is also wonderful for natural lighting, and breezy days. 









That Little Wine Bar offers wine tasting classes every Wednesday from 6:30PM-7:30PM; tasting classes are a great way to try out unfamiliar wine regions and varieties as well as enabling yourself to becoming a smarter wine consumer.



An entertaining wine list indeed, that differs itself from the rest of Penang; this place gives you the perfect chance to drink outside of the usual varieties found in here. 
Instead of opting for a bold Shiraz from Australia, give the variety Zweigelt from Austria a try.  Love Pinot Noir but want to give something else a chance? Try their St. Laurent from Austria, you'll be sure to become intoxicated by the perfumed aromas of raspberry and baking spices. 

winefolly.com/review/get-know-austrian-wine-map


Spotting a few bottles from Gascogne on their list just made my day. I absolutely adore the refreshing whites of Côtes de Gascogne, and rarely come across them in Asia! When these whites come to mind I think....green apple, honeysuckle and aromas of blossoms. 
Want to know more about the fruity flavors of South West France? www.vins-cotes-gascogne.fr

Wine List









Sunday, April 3, 2016

Vantage Wine Penang

By    10:56 PM // 1 comment
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

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. 



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)

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  


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. 
Want to know more?
 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.



Vantage Wine also has some bottles of Whiskey to choose from if wine just doesn't do the trick for you. 





Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Wine Shop Penang, Malaysia

By    12:09 AM // 1 comment
The Wine Shop Penang (George Town Location)
FB
No.11a &15, Lintang Burmah 10250 Penang, Malaysia
(Near The O'lives Restaurant, & Gurney Paragon Mall)
Phone:04-226 1824

Hours:
Monday-Saturday 9AM-1AM

Happy Hour Discount 12-8PM 15% off all bottles~ excluding house wines




The first time I walked into The Wine Shop I felt like I was a kid in a candy store. The Wine Shop boasts a vast array of wines, meats, and cheeses. Shops with fine wines, fromage, and charcuterie are not easy to come by in Penang...and even more importantly...with a decent price tag. Bottles here start at around 60rm. 
The wine room where you can choose bottles may be intimidating if you do not have much wine knowledge. 
 You can try a varietal tasting, trying Chardonnays from Burgundy, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, etc...
Or a side by side variety of varietals tasting while sticking around the same vintage date
Whites: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Viognier, Chardonnay, etc....
Reds: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, etc....



Maybe you are a fan of Australian Shiraz, but always stick with the same region. Do a side by side tasting and try to see if you can tell the difference in the variety due to where it is being grown.

 From The Wine Shop's wine dispensing machine I picked a Clare Valley 2013 Shiraz from Australia, and a Australian Shiraz from Heathcote 2013. Both displayed different aromas! The Clare Valley displayed faint hints of blackberry and baking spices, while the Heathcote Shiraz's nose was pronounced with intense aromas of lush black fruits, black pepper and pine needle.



In this tasting I chose two different white varieties, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and a Australian Viognier, both around the same vintage. 
The scent of these varieties are obviously different, but the fun part comes from feeling the difference from the mouth feel when tasting the wine. Give it a try and see which do you prefer...the high acid refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, or the full bodied velvety soft and creamy Viognier. 


1st floor of The Wine Shop


The 2nd floor is broken into 2 separate rooms



The Wine Shops's house wine is always changing, what you try one week will be different the next.



The Wine Shop offers a huge selection of wines from the old world and new.
You'll find bottles from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, & Portugal
As well as, Argentina, Chile, California, New Zealand, Australia, & South Africa


Here's a look at some of the bottles you'll find.






Pinot Gris & Gewürztraminer from Marlborough New Zealand! I'll have to try these bottles next time.











Request a card for the wine dispensing machine, add credit to it, and start tasting. 
There are 3 different sizes for pours, and the wines available in the dispensing machine are always changing. If you see something interesting and want to give it a try before dedicating to a bottle do it! Or else you might not see that bottle in the machine again for some time. 







Order cheese and meats by platters or by grams.  Even though the prices are stated by 100g, you are welcome to order below that amount.  


Cheese, meat, and wine always puts a smile on my face.

Meats 

Salami Napoli                                                  16rm/100g
Salami Ungherese                                            16rm/100g
Salami Milano                                                  16rm/100g
Salami Ventriciana Spicy                                 21rm/100g
Salami Goose                                                   28rm/100g
Salami Varzi                                                    32rm/100g
Salami Felono                                                  28rm/100g
Salami Finocchiano                                         21rm/100g
Salami Contadino                                            26rm/100g
Speck                                                               22rm/100g
Gammon Ham                                                 18rm/100g
Prosciutto Di Parma                                        33rm/100g
Jamon Iberico                                                  35rm/100g
Iberico Bellota                                                 55rm/100g
Serrano Ham                                                    25rm/100g
Adobado Bacon                                               14rm/100g
Moriadella Francesca con Pistachio Nut         18rm/100g
J.V Garlic Sausage (6pcs)                                35rm/100g
J.V Beddar w/Cheese Sausage (6pcs)              35rm/100g
J.V Hot Links Sausage (6pcs)                          35rm/100g
J.V Smoked Bratwurst (6pcs)                           35rm/100g
J.V Cooked Bratwurst Sausage (6pcs)              35rm/100g
J.V Beer Brat Sausages (6pcs)                          35rm/100g



Cheeses

Gogonzola                                                        16rm/100g
Parmiggiano Reggiano                                    26rm/100g
Manchego                                                        23rm/100g
Manchego Rosemary                                       25rm/100g
Murcia Al Vino                                                24rm/100g
Mahon Cheese                                                  24rm/100g
Valdeon                                                             21rm/100g
Stilton Blue                                                       30rm/100g
Cabrales                                                            21rm/100g
Queso De Murcia Curado                                 24rm/100g
Ibores Matured                                                  19rm/100g
Cheddar Smoked Applewood                           27rm/100g
St Albray                                                           39rm/100g
St Paul                                                               20rm/100g
Isigny Ste Mere French Brie                             24rm/100g
Stilton Cranberries                                            33rm/100g
Rocinante Goats Cheese Red Wine                  24rm/100g
Rocinante Goats Cheese Paprika                      24rm/100g
Iberico Semi Cured                                           20rm/100g
Grana Padano                                                    18rm/100g







Enjoying a little Heathcote Shiraz, and Speck



The Wine Shop delivers! Convenient right? You can order wine, meats and cheeses all online. Remember to keep in mind the hours of delivery, for different areas there are different delivery times.
Click here for delivery

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