An intimate afternoon with many many vinos

Flavours magazine asked if i wanted to be a judge in a wine-tasting panel.

This is what’s known as a hypothetical question, cos it dont require an answer.

This session was pretty specific – a blind-tasting focused on wines below $80 (retail). BTW blind-tasting dont mean u get blindfolded.

So at 2pm a few days ago, there were four glasses of chilled whites staring at me. Seemed like a sweet deal for a Monday afternoon. The tasting notes chart, where i fill in my comments & ratings, looked like it had many sheets. Hmmm. I assumed we will try about 10 wines, tops.

Bread and a water bottle were the other accompaniments.

O yea, and a spit bowl. Haha. Yea right! Like am gonna spit out perfectly good vino. Gross man.

Hmmph! Get dat bowl outta here! Reminds me of a bed pan

Yea, u stay empty. Just get dat bowl outta here! Reminds me of a bed pan

Yea, spit bowls are for pussies.

But then i was told that we had to go through goddam 28 wines! Huh? Insanity! I want my money back!

Well, since i didnt pay shit, sallgood.

Shy wines having a cold bath

Shy wines havin a cold bath

Anyway, the first four wines went pretty quick. They were chardonnays, followed by several sauvignons. Penfold’s Rawson Retreat Riesling was good. A nice blend of fruitiness and acidity, plus a pleasant, mid-length finish.I could hear mumbled curses from another judge right around wine number 10. Maybe coz it was sweet. Thing is i did expect it to be a lil sweet, and in fact luved it!

I later found out it was a white zinfandel, by Delicato of California. The awesome colour is what grabs u at first (i scribbled into d review comments – “A beautiful deep orange-red – would love to have my V-dub in this colour”.) Haha. It’s got a candy-like nose. If u like something slightly-sweet with a light sherry-like finish, dis is d one. Can be drunk at any time.

Me like. And received a bottle to take home

Me like dis Delicato. And received a bottle to take home. Thanks Suzanne

.At wine 13, i realized i was quite buzzed! Gosh. Only like halfway. There goes gym plans!

After 15, i was like “Lord have mercy!”

Then i was staring at these:

Merciless. 16-19 were the first wave, 20-23 (background) were ready with d second wave

Merciless. 16-19 were the second wave of reds, 20-23 (background) were ready with d third wave

The army of reds attacked – there were seventeen to go thru.

Fuck. My commitment to the cause ‘swayed’ a little.

I leaned back into the chair, took a breath and assessed my situation. Intense. Would i be able to write any sense into d tasting charts?

What did i say about spit bowls earlier?? Dam. Hmm, how do i always get myself into this kinda mess?

Okay 16-19, u wanna dance, we’ll dance!

I was soon back on track, knockin ’em back. There were some real smooth reds – the Delicato Cabernet Sauvignon and Jacob’s Creek‘s Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon notably. Straight-forward easy reds dat would go well with most meals, as not too overpowering or bold. Should suit all casual drinkers.

But at 20, confusion starts to kick in. They all start smelling d same. I dont know what notes to write! I feel like i was a confused kid in an exam. I bet the deep breaths i took of d reds also got me high.

Other ones i liked were the Kilikanoon The Lackey Shiraz and Penfold’s Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet. Easy-drinkin wines, plesantly surprising, considering under $80. Very suitable for parties too.

OK la i guess. Most wines i liked came from wineries dat have won awards.

If u wanna read my personal version of ‘wine language’, click here!

Wine connoisseurs in really serious thought

Wine connoisseurs in really serious thought

.I sat there for almost three hours, sipping away all d time. Eventually my notes were a lil messed-up. Missed a couple of entry columns too. By 5pm, i was THERE..

The finale. Salud!

The finale. Salud!

.So i took the complimentary bottle of Delicato to Sid’s and had it right away.

I hope d top 5 wines that i submitted to Flavours for publication purposes weren’t like 20 bucks. Haha. Would say something about my taste!

.

Brain damage rating: 8/10

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Freedom Festival issue – Updates

UPDATE 1

I hear that the BN government, Islamic religious department & police have created ridiculous demands for all organizers. But d organizer still got screwed – the religious department harassed NON-Muslims, asking them to cover-up and shit.

I will be calling the religious department today to verify.

I doubt this organizer or any other will ever do such an event again, coz d conditions Rais Yatim & the government are laying down dont make sense. These conditions are probably meant to ensure that there will be no point organizing or attending outdoor events anymore.

Am surprised the media dont know about this yet.

Stay tuned on what action u can take to stop this crap. This issue is obviously less about the event but more about our future rights as Malaysians.

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UPDATE 2

Maybe those Islamic Affairs morons have not heard of the law or the Constitution. They’re out of line.

THE CONSTITUTION OF MALAYSIA, upon which the goddam existence of this country is based on, in Article 12 (3) states: : “No person shall be required to receive instruction in or take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own.”

So the government fools can only watch as i stuff my face with pork n whisky, n dont try to tell me what i can or cant wear. U talk to me, I’ll only repeat these two words: FUCK OFF.

I aint under yor stupid jurisdiction.

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UPDATE 3

Have been trying to call Datuk Alias, Director, Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka, but he’s not been around. He sure owes the people an explanation.

Anyway, have formed a Facebook group, Malaysian Civil Rights Movement, as a means to inform others and gather support. Join:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523078528&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=89025606273&ref=mf

And also trying to get The Star to write a feature about this issue. NST called me up today for further info.

Anybody who has been victimized before can get in touch with me.

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UPDATE 4

A letter appeared in the NST today about the Freedom Festival issue. It was edited and shortened quite a lot, but at least the word is out there.

Got a meeting with a journalist from The Star tomw. Hopefully sumtin comes out of dat.

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UPDATE 5

Malaysiakini ran a letter i sent about the crap that went down at the Freedom festival, in full.

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Freedom Festival?? ‘Freedom’ my ass!

O God, i travelled to a conservative,  alcohol-free party! I hope i can forgive myself. Definitely a first, and the last. But I’ll never forget Freedom Festival.

Although it was a good production technically, the authorities messed things up.

Thank you for making me travel without leaving Malaysia. I thought I was in fuckin Afghanistan – no alcohol, no ‘sexy’ looks.

I also thought I was lost at party for primary school kids – strictly 12-year-olds and below, coz although we adults are allowed to drink, 12-year-olds aren’t allowed to drink.

Last time I checked, I was in fuckin Malaysia and I was a fuckin adult, able to make my own decisions and choices.

It was a new government effort to try and create a ‘new trend’ in partying – no alcohol, no sexy tops, security gorillas all over d place. Next, they’ll try to enforce these rules at club events if no one says anything. I mean, what’s the difference? This event was exactly like a club event, just a different venue.

Why? Are drugs (but not alcohol) acceptable to religion? Instead of legal drinks, everybody can get high on illegal drugs. And dress like Arab women.

Anyway, on Saturday, d second night of the party at Malacca’s A Famosa Resort, we go in about 10pm after a cool pre-party at our villa, where we were drinking ‘illegally’.

My friend Joleen comes out to meet me and pass me my invite & tag. I put it on and we head to “Re-entry”. A fuckin moron taking care of re-entry stops us. He didn’t gimme his name, so let’s call him Mr Freedom. Here’s how it went down:

.

Mr Freedom: “Sorry u can’t go in!” (to Joleen).

I: “Huh? What??

Mr Freedom: “She can’t dress like this. Her back is showing”

I: “Watdehell are u talkin about?”

– I’m more confused than anything else –

Mr Freedom: “Showing too much. I saw her go in just now, but now I cant let her in”

I: “”Are u kiddin me?? Why?”

Mr Freedom: “Can see her back. Sorry she can’t dress like that”

– I’m pissed –

I: “What!!?? She’s an adult! She can dress how dehell she wants!

Mr Freedom” “I cant let her in”

I: “We’re with the media, here to write about the fest. U want us to write about this?”

Mr Freedom: “I dont care about that. Cover it up! Got Muslim religious department inside” (Mr Freedom is not even a Muslim)

I: “I dont give a shit about them! We’re not even Muslims!”

Mr Freedom: “Doesnt matter!”

I:” Watdefuck are u talkin about!!?? Where dehell does it say anything about not showing your back in the rules or the ticket?!! Show me now! We paid money for this! What’s your name??

Mr Freedom: “NO! That’s the law! Cover it up. Go buy a t-shirt” (a Freedom Fest t-shirt, which was crap)

– Now I’m really pissed, and start yelling, and get others watching d fun –

I: “Dats bullshit! Dat’s not da fuckin law! She’s a Christian. U got sumtin against fuckin Christians?!! Huh?!! Watdefuck do u have against Christians?!

Freedom: “No thats the law / our rules! (or watever) U dont cover u not going in!”

I: “No, we’re not gonna do that! Let me speak to who’s in charge! Ur wasting my fuckin time!”

Freedom: “I’m in charge!”

I: “Really? FUCK YOU, we’re goin in!”

.

I tell Joleen “Go in now. Fuck dis asshole.”

I barge through. I can hear the puta shouting “Dont let him in!”

I’m not sure what happened, but we get in. Maybe he backed-down as i was so pissed.

I don’t think Joleen said a word. Haha.

Who made him God?

(Joleen wore a top that covered her entire front, with the back exposed, except for the strings to tie the top with. Most of her back was covered by her long hair.)

Should she have worn a black Arabian hijab?

I looked everywhere for Mr Freedom aka Taliban on my way out at 130am, but no luck. Party ended before 2am on both nights, leaving many disappointed guests. Officially, the authorities only allowed it until 1am. It used to be 3am.

I dont givafuck if d fuckin Pope and the mufti of Saudi Arabia were in there. The idea of an event like this is to relax and enjoy yourself, not get told off by God-wannabes. If u gonna do an event like this, it has to be done well or not at all.

If u wanna party, never dress like Joleen (left). Wear a t-shirt

Girls, if u wanna party, never dress like Joleen (left). Wear a t-shirt. Cover your back. Shoulders too while ur at it

A bunch of 12 of my friends remained in their bungalows the next nite and refused to enter d event. They’d rather party by themselves, stress-free, with a drink in hand.

How ridiculous is dat? A party for adults with no booze. Obviously they did not allow anyone to bring their own either. In fact the put a banner at the entrance to the resort (not to d event) – “No outside food & drink allowed.” Thankfully (for them) they didnt enforce it, or there would have been a riot. What were they plannin to do, search all d cars and people that were checking-in to d resort??

If there was no alcohol, the least the organizers could have done was to issue an early warning: “Alcohol-free event.” A lot of us would have saved our time and money and gone for Steve Aoki’s gig instead. Or had a beer at some pub.

I didnt travel hundreds of kilometres and spend hundreds of dollars to get crapped on. At best, they won’t bother to organize an event like this again. And the authorities need to offer an apology to all guests and all Malaysians.

We were inadvertently sold out to the authorities. And our Constitution shat on. Since d cops are crapping on our Constitution, all the other agencies wanna join in.

What happened to freedom of religion? And civil liberty?

I ask Joleen on d way home to KL “U know, we just wanna relax and have some recreation. Why do some people go outta their way to spoil d good time that others are having?”

She says “Maybe they’re can’t stand others enjoying themselves. Maybe they lead sad lives.” Yea I agree.

Reminds me of Euphoria / MOS. And clubbing in Australia.

OK, we see the DJ. So where's d bar?

OK, we see the DJ. So where’s d bar?

I been told dat all organizers now are bound by the ridiculous terms and conditions that d Federal government laid down. But I definitely did not, and will never agree to these conditions.

So Freedom Festival, though a production-wise and musically a success, did not live up to its name.

So, its best to remove the word “Freedom” from next year’s event. Unless it will reflect what it means.

If such a thing ever happens to u or a friend, make sure you FUCK THEM UP. Dont accept their illogical excuses. There is NO LAW against sexy clothing for non-Muslims.

Yea dats right. U better respect dat flag and the freedom it represents, or gedda fuck outta this country

Yea dats right. U better respect dat flag and the freedom it represents, or gedda fuck outta this country

.

Note: Since the government is making up these new rules recently, the choice is either to accept it, or not. If u think Malaysia should remain a secular nation for multi-religions, and not become like Afghanistan, u can write to your paper. I was told that it’s the work of the Information, Communications, and Culture Minister, Rais Yatim who is on a crusade to ‘reform’ all of us into robotic morons.

And he’s only getting started. Next time u attend a gig or international concert, u can expect d same bullshit. Or worse.

Rais is d guy who last year said: “Local women intending to travel abroad alone may need family consent to leave, in a bid to prevent them from being used as “drug mules” by international syndicates.” Haha!  Right. So u see wat kind of person is in charge?

Next time there’s such an event, call d organizers and ask if there’s alcohol. Then give your opinion, whether for or against, dats your call.

Anyway, groups & NGOs in Selangor as well as the stupid, ultra-conservative & ancient-brained ‘Consumers’ Association of Penang are calling for a ban on beer from 7-11, convenience stores and coffeeshops. BEER. I would assume shandy too, as it’s equally ‘evil’.

The conservatives won this round. The liberals and radicals need to make sum noize too, including our Muslim brothers who are dissatisfied with these government agencies. If you dont, it implies u agree with what’s goin on, and make these dumb conservatives and Taliban-wannabes even bolder. There’s no point bitching in d future when its too late. And women can only go partyin or clubbing dressed in t-shirts! And wear sarongs and not bikinis to d beach. Dat would suck, coz I sure dig bikinis.

And in d future, I dont want our kids inheriting a fucked-up, intolerant, fanatical country coz we did nuthin to prevent it.

.

Write to:

The Star: editor@thestar.com.mymetro@thestar.com.my

or The Sun: fred@thesundaily.com & citizen-nades@thesundaily.com

or NST: news@nstp.com.my & mailed@nstp.com.my

or all three separately. Hopefully they’ll publish it.


Include name, IC n address

Attn: Letters to Editor

I have already done so.

U can state that we adults don’t need the Information, Communications, and Culture Ministry or religious authorities or the government telling us how to dress or what to eat or drink.

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“How can you have an alcohol blog…

..without mentioning Frontera’s Agave Margaritas?!!”

That was d mail i received from Larry Martin of Frontera Bar & Grill (at Jaya One, PJ. 03 7958-8515) after he checked out this blog.

Hmmm.

Frontera, a Tex-Mex joint, is one of few places where u can get REAL tequila – which is those that are made of 100% blue agave, a plant. The others are mixed, with minimum 51% blue agave, the rest sum other shit. Maybe gasoline. Coz the stupid plant takes 8 damn years to mature.

Real tequila is a lil similar to mezcal, which is also 100% agave. Great way to take your vegetables huh?

Whoever told u tequila is made from cactus has had too much tequila.

The natives in Mexico, the Aztecs, were brewing dis shit many centuries ago before d Spanish arrived and raped their women and stole their booze.

Not one to back-out of a booze challenge, i was at Frontera pretty soon. And got fucked up. Wingman Henry had to take medical leave the next day.

Larry was merciless. But we took it for d team. Mehican style. No salt, no lime.

The best relief for them hot days

The best relief for them hot days

Two shots of tequila as soon as we arrive (the panel was made up of me, Sargeant Henry & Private First-Class Joleen (who reviewed d food here once), d high-ranking officers from the Drinking Army), followed by a pitcher of margarita. And countless more tequila shots, and another pitcher, as well as one of the world’s hottest chili! Crazay.

Anyway, Larry start us off on the fine Monday evening with a shot of this:

Dont fuck with da Don

Dont fuck with da Don

Great choice. This is an anejo, meaning it’s been aged for between one to 3 years. (The most common one is the reposado label, aged 2 months to a year. The others are blanco or Silver (clear, unaged) and oro (gold, mixed, with caramel usually).

The Don Julio has the aroma of caramel, and the flavours of caramel and a hint of vanilla. Real smooth, and no need for lime.

Then Larry asks d bartender for a shot of Patron Silver. This is unaged, and served chilled.

Clear plant juice

Clear plant juice

This one is more tangy. I prefer d Don Julio, and Henry prefers the Patron (pronounced par-tron).

Then comes the pitcher. Larry, who’s from Houston, says margarita aint a girl’s drink. He says over there, its common for guys to go out and “get fucked-up by having pitchers of d stuff”. Few places serve pitchers here.

The ritas served here are well-made, with generous amounts of tequila – 7.5 shots per pitcher, but u dont really taste the liquor. Its made with Sauza Hornito, a reposado. It goes down easy, and is definitely one of the best i’ve ever had. They use agave nectar rather  than sugar syrup as sweetener, as well as only fresh limes.

Larry, a very gracious host who was determined to get us thoroughly fucked-up, serves the pitcher into rock glasses, rather than the normal wide-rim glass, cos he says

"This is what i call a fag glass"

"This is what i call a fag glass"

Then things turn bad for Henry. Larry asked “U like chili?” and i point straight to Henry. He’s some sort of chili junkie. Freak.

Straight from Mehico, appears the habanero, a very effective stomach-remover.

When u swallow a bomb, u get hurt

When u swallow a bomb, u get hurt

Henry eats the whole damn thing! Chews on it too! Nutcase. RESPECT.

Nothing happens for d first 20 seconds. But then he pays for it – it’s hot as hell! I thought his head was gonna explode and splatter some brains into my drink. He starts shaking and quivering.

It was the world’s hottest chili until 2007, rated in the Extreme category on the Scoville scale. Way hotter than birds-eye (cili padi). I try a little slice n immediately spit it out. And my mouth burns intensely for 15 mins. So Henry is really about to explode. The good part is u get a trip after that, like a drug. “Extremely intense, extremely euphoric!” is what Henry said when he could talk again. “Like u just came” and “Thank you for d experience Larry” were his other words.

I never knew u could trip out on chilies man. Maybe i could be a dealer. That sure would be a first.

The capsaicin in chilies makes your brain release endorphins. Hence da trip. Nice.

“Eat five more and u’ll break the record at Frontera” Larry says. Henry decided to pass. Good. He’s my ride home, so i didnt want him to die. He warned that Henry will suffer a “second attack” in d morning when he craps. “There’s a solution,” Larry says. “Dont shit for four days.”

The next morning Henry was up at 7am crapping. He didnt stop, so went to the doctor had d day off.

Larry gets fresh habaneros and jalapenos from Mexico for Frontera’s kitchen. And to torture customers.

Frontera should serve habaneros with free butt-plugs.

Next was the Don Julio Reposado. This one had more neutral flavours. Then a shot of Jose Cuervo 1800 (anejo). I thought this one was awesome! Sweet and smooth, almost like a cognac. Then Larry serves us a shot of jalapeno-infused tequila, which is done in-house. Not as spicy as i expected. We also had the Gran Centenario Reposado. This one is low on flavours.

Lined-up for execution

Lined-up for execution

Pure yummy

Pure yummy

We end the nite with a shot of Two Fingers, described by Larry as cheap shit coz its a mixto, meaning not 100% agave but 51%, like many common tequilas.

Prices for the 100% agave tequilas range between $18 and $28, while the regular tequilas are at $12. Pitchers cost from $110.

Take your pick

Take your pick

We were wasted by the time we left. An explosive nite in many ways. And an explosive ass for Henry in the morning.

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Brain damage rating: 8.5/10

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