Georgetown Wines Penang

Georgetown Wines Penang

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19-19A Lebun Leith, George Town, Penang, Malaysia

(Near Red Garden Food Paradise, and Soho Free House)

Phone: 04-262 1011

Hours:

Monday-Thursday                5PM-12AM

Friday-Saturday                      5PM-1AM

Sunday                                   5PM-12AM

Happy Hour:

5PM-8PM

Buy 1 get one free (glass) 20rm house reds and whites 

2 bottles for 100rm house reds


What was once a horse stable is now no more; let's face it, wine smells much better anyway!  Located in the bustling area of George Town, this pretty little wine lounge has kept its' rustic charm.  Something old, something new, something complex, or even bottles that are rare and very few; is what to expect out of the cellar.  

GeorgeTown Wines
To the left is their wine bar
To the right is their fine dining area
Both locations have a 2nd floor

A view of  the wine bar

Cheese boards, meat boards, finger food, and much more; whatever dish you choose the staff at GeorgeTown Wines can recommend the perfect food and wine pairing, or you can take a walk through the wine cellar and let your imagination run wild.

The 2nd floor of the wine bar is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a glass of wine in your hand. 

The house reds are kept in a wine preservation machine to ensure that each glass is as fresh as the last.

Whites by the glass are vacuum pumped to guarantee freshness.

 Happy hour started off with glasses of buy one get one free (Semillion Sauvignon Blanc) blends from Australia.

House reds also apply to the happy hour special.

I gave the Eye Spy Yarra Ridge Australian Shiraz a try...simple description...dark berries and barn yards! The  description is almost fitting for what this building was long ago. 

I did not give this bottle a try, but was told this red was more on the sweeter side.

There is no wine list here so take a walk through their wine cellar to choose your wine.

 If you are feeling a bit muddled, the manager here is well versed in the wines on offer, and is always happy to help customers find a bottle according to their budget and taste.

Snapshots of the many bottles available at GeorgeTown Wines.

Spanish Wines

Ahhh Bordeaux there you are 

California Reds

A few famous producers from the Napa Valley, and the many awards attached to these beautiful bottles.
Prêt à Boire
AU SOMMET
AMUSE BOUCHE
Stags' Leap

A nice little selection of some whites from  Burgundy

An afternoon is always better with a bit of rose

 Alsace, located in northeastern France, just across the Rhine River from Germany, supply beautifully expressive and aromatic white wines such as Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer.
Alsatian whites are definitely my go to wines; they make the perfect pairing partner with spicy Asian cuisine.

A little bit of bubbly is always a wonderful party starter, and a great tool to lift one's spirits.  

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Ruins Of Victoria Penang

Ruins Of Victoria 

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183 Lebuh Victoria, George Town, Penang, Malaysia

(Near China House, and Awesome Canteen)

Phone: 04-251 9022

Hours:

Monday                         3PM-1AM

Tuesday                                Closed

Wednesday-Friday         3PM-1AM

Saturday-Sunday           3PM-2AM

Corkage:

40rm    for wine

100rm      spirits

Happy Hour:

3PM-9PM

Sunday & Monday Happy Hour All Night! 

At first glance Ruins Of Victoria seems like any other small lounge in George Town Penang, but if you venture inside you’ll quickly see that this place is anything but a small bar spinning electro music.
Take a walk past the first bar and you’ll discover that Ruins Of Victoria is much bigger than it seems. As I wondered around in awe, the next room lead me into a posh wine lounge and restaurant; and after that a meticulously decorated outside courtyard reminiscent of Greek ruins. 

This is what you'll see upon walking through the front door....chiseled wall art, hand embroider stools, and stained glass windows.  The designer was definitely heedful of how this place looks during the day compared to night; during the day it is a laid back cafe, and at night the lighting and music transform this place into a watering hole evocative of a place from another time. 

Day time picture from iloveholiao.com

The bar manager Bob Ras Prakash undoubtedly takes pride in the drinks being made here along with the friendly atmosphere this place gives off.
This place may look swanky, but it is definitely not snooty. 

Romantic lighting, Victorian deco, and a big glass of red wine may lead one to loll in overindulgence at Ruins Of Victoria.    Sounds like the perfect night!  

Proper glass wear and service is to be expected when ordering from Ruins Of Victoria’s wine list. 

If you would rather bring your own wine, corkage is only 40rm, this is the lowest corkage fee I've see so far in Penang; it's definitely a price that makes more sense compared to the many places charging over 100rm per wine.

If you are a fan of oaked Chardonnay, and the practice of lees stirring; I recommend trying the Zilzie Select Chardonnay.
www.zilziewines.com

I adore aromatic white wines...especially Gewürztraminer! A lot of times a Gewürz can be full in body with a silky texture, high in alcohol, have the perfect amount of sweetness without overdoing it, all while possessing hypnotic aromas of roses, blossoms, peach, melon, and lychee....just to name a few.

If that sounds like something you may be into then try Ruin's Morande Reserva Gewürztraminer from Chile.

Craving seafood? want a refreshing white, but bored of Sauvignon Blanc?

 Try The Tapas Wine Collection (Verdejo) from Rueda Spain. This citrus driven, grassy, flinty wine is delicate and fresh enough to be an amazing pairing partner with fresh seafood dishes.

Reds from Bordeaux can be from the left bank...simply put (Cabernet Sauvignon dominate blends) or the right bank (Merlot dominate blends) on this list it isn't clear which area of Bordeaux these bottles come from unless you are familiar with the Chateaus.

For example 

The Chateau Bel Air Gallier is from the left bank (Graves) 

Chateau Faugeres is from the right bank (Saint-Emilion)
Don't let the names scare you from trying something new! If you are unsure about any wine on the list, don't be afraid to ask the staff about details regarding any wine.  If that fails...ask to see the bottle you are interested in, and Google away.....

House Red & White Wine

Ochagavia Rapel, Chile

Cabernet Sauvignon

Sauvignon Blanc

The layout of Ruins Of Victoria is not only broken into many sections, but also floors.  There is a private upstairs dining area, and also an open air opera box in the courtyard that over looks the stage. 

Top view of the courtyard where live bands play. There are plenty of fans blowing in this area to insure one doesn't feel too hot, even though it is outside.  

Passion Fruit Mojito

 Ruins Of Victoria Happy Hour Menu

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Rain Garden Penang

Rain Garden Penang

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Jalan Burma 10350 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

(Near The Wine Shop, & Eataliano)

Phone: 04-218 9878

Hours:

Monday-Sunday    12PM-3AM

Corkage: 

80rm            for wine & spirits

Amidst tropical plants and a leafy canopy of trees lined around a courtyard mimicking a 四合院  siheyuan (Chinese style courtyard house) gives way to a leafy paradise called Rain Garden.  Tranquil indeed, and having only been open for 2 months; this place is definitely an outside lounge worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of outdoor bars. 

Easily overlooked...the entrances to the Rain Garden are inconspicuous, which gives this place the feel of being a secret garden, or better yet a barfly's sanctuary. 

The bar patio gives you the impression of Penang during the 1970s, and yes the rattan chairs are truly comfortable. 

It's apparent that some wine bars in Penang are still in the learning process of listing the vintage and region of where their wine is coming from. The wine list here is still a working progress, so if you are looking to taste something nice, I recommend you bring your own bottle. Let's just hope the corkage fee drops down to a more reasonable price for wine.

  Since this place is new, I expect Rain Garden will be going through many changes to improve itself while testing the waters. 

 Included in the links below is information, and/or ratings for each bottle; some information regarding wines sold here could not be found. 

Red Wine

Le Challenge Red (Langeudoc-Roussillon, France)

Fleur de Imperial Red (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)

Bellagio Rosso (Chianti, Italy)

Artisan's Blend Cab/Merlot (Victoria, Australia)

Tocurnal Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Valley, Chile)

Astica Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc (Argentina)

White Wine

Le Challenge White (Langeudoc-Roussillon, France)

Fleur de Imperial White (Langeudoc-Roussillon, France)

Bellagio Bianco (Italy)

Artisan's Blend Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc (Victoria, Australia)

Tocurnal Chardonnay (Colchagua Valley, Chile)

Astica Chardonnay (Argentina) 

There's so much room!!!

Indoor cafe area decorated with old Penang flair

A peek of the courtyard from the balcony 

2nd floor seating and private room area

Balcony seating overlooking the courtyard

 Sausage dish, among the many bar food choices on the menu.

Bar nachos, the chips were perfect and tasted homemade.

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